15 Reasons Why You Need to Get to Know Northumberland, England

There's nothing like the thrill of discovering a new place while traveling. The best trips are ones that inspire sentences that begin with "we just fell in love with" and the following 15 reasons are why you are sure to be uttering this line after visiting Northumberland, England.

Northumberland is England's northernmost county and this location has surely contributed to its under-the-radar status in the minds of international visitors. The good news for those of us that make it here? There is more than enough elbow room to go around. With many destinations around the world drowning in over-tourism at the moment, the value of a little extra space cannot be overstated.

Northumberland shares a border with stunning Scotland. While the county has long been a bit of a buffer zone between Scotland and England, the dividing line itself is downright divine.

The demarcation begins at the North Sea just above the postcard-perfect town of Berwick-upon-Tweed before meandering its way west through the wild landscapes of Northumberland National Park. Here, it dances across the sweeping Cheviot Hills and winds along the wilds of Kielder Forest Park. You might not notice that you are crossing the border, but you will know that your surrounds are beautiful.

British national parks are a little different from the ones in the USA. Here, population centers are actually located inside the park, with thousands of people calling national parks home. Not Northumberland National Park though. As it is England's most sparsely populated park, you will have huge swaths of the natural wonder to yourself.

Highlights include magnificent high moorland landscapes, the Sycamore Gap-a revered solemn sycamore tree-adorable villages like Harbottle and the state-of-the-art Sill Landscape Discovery Center.

The greatest ancient defensive partition this side of China, Hadrian's Wall still stands sentry over Northumberland. The serpentine stone structure once marked the furthest reaches of the Roman Empire and huge swaths are still intact. Scattered around it are a handful of associated temples and forts and a world-renowned walking trail.

With its well-trodden network of fantastic footpaths, Britain is a wonderful place to take a walk. And as you would expect, Northumberland is crisscrossed with pathways, from that world-famous one that follows alongside Hadrian's Wall to trails that detour into the wilderness.

If you like really getting off the grid and are okay with basic accommodation, then grab your map and make for one of Northumberland's four historic bothies. These rural stone shelters provide a place to crash overnight for those exploring the backcountry.

The locals might not like the word spreading (sorry 'bout that, guys), but their beaches can compete with any in Britain. Sweeping crescents composed of powdery, golden grains can be found buffering the sea all over Northumberland and unlike the dreamy beaches down south, you might just have the whole thing to yourself.

Located right off that ravishing coast, several islands make for sensational side-trips. Nature lovers fawn over the Farne Islands and its families of seals and nesting birds, like puffins, while Holy Island is the home to a historic village, castle and ruined abbey.

Your journey to the Farne Islands will most likely set off from the village of Seahouses and it is one of the highlights of the shore. The harbor is lined with gift stores and fish & chip shops and it is Coastal Northumberland at its finest. A few miles down the coastline, you will find equally cute Craster and you're going to want to pack your appetite.

Why? Well, while kippers might not be the first item a foodie jots down on their British "must-eat" list, one fork-full of these smoked herrings in Craster is sure to set you straight. They have been curing and smoking them in-house at L. Robson & Sons for nearly a century and you can taste every bit of that experience in their succulent fish. Best enjoyed on a sandwich with a bottle of ale by the sea.

You simply can't go the coast in England and not stop by a seaside pub. From the King's Arms in Seaton Sluice to Low-Newton-by-the-Sea's Ship Inn, this county has you covered. Sometime around sunset, after a day spent walking or bobbing out on the water, with a hard-earned pint in your hand, you'll reach peak Northumberland.

What traveler doesn't arrive in England with visions of castles dancing in their head? Nowhere delivers in that department like Northumberland. Due to its location, it has always been a hotspot for border battles and that has resulted in it being home to more fine fortifications than any other county in England. Some have been reduced to rubble, but others, like Alnwick and Bamburgh, are still simply breathtaking.

Downton Abbey and other historical dramas have helped put grand houses on many traveler's to-do lists and Northumberland has you covered there, too. Resplendent Paxton House retains much of its original fixtures while Howick Hall is home to layers of elegance and a lush garden full of plant life from around the world. Tea lovers will also revel in the fact that Howick Hall is the historical home of the Grey family. Most famously Charles Grey, who inspired the world famous Earl Grey tea blend that bears his name.

After the sun goes down, that's when the real fun begins up here. The county is home to some of the darker skies in all of England. If you happen to time your trip with a meteor shower, be sure to pack your popcorn because the sky will put on a show.

Away from the sea, Northumberland brims with villages and towns that serve up quintessential English charm in spades. The market town of Morpeth sits right on the Wansbeck River and offers visitors serene waterside scenes alongside a bustling center while delightful Eglingham and Blanchland both offer plenty of off-the-beaten-path peace.

Set at the foot of rolling hills and within the honeycomb-colored stones of a former abbey, the aforementioned Blanchland is arguably the most picturesque village in Northumberland. The River Derwent sits on the edge of the village, with the pitter-patter of its water filling the air along the riverside trail that leads from Blanchland to Derwent Reservoir, a base for countless outdoor recreation opportunities. Blanchland is also home to one of the finest hotels in the county in the Lord Crewe Arms.

To stay at the Lord Crewe Arms in Blanchland is to be blanketed by both history and hospitality. The Blanchland abbey was founded in the 1100s and the cozy rooms of the modern hotel are sprinkled throughout the ancient Abbot's house, a set of adjoining cottages and a stone building across a quiet street, all fronted by a peaceful courtyard.

All quarters are decorated in subdued-yet-cheery hues and patterns that offer a nod to the heritage of the English countryside. Rooms are also thoughtfully stocked with books for reading, maps for navigating the nearby moors and a set of homemade cookies. Roaring fireplaces and friendly faces abound at the 'Crewe, creating the warmest of atmospheres.

The Crypt Bar at the Lord Crewe looks precisely what you would think a medieval-dwelling-turned-drinking-hole would look like: vaulted ceilings, flickering candlelight and colorful coats of arms. Neck a tasty glass of wine or Northumbrian beer-including their house ale-and swap stories about days spent out in the hills with other guests.