Get More From Your Northumberland National Park Hot Tub Cottage Break
Booking cottages with hot tubs in Northumberland National Park gives you the perfect base to explore England's most remote and spectacular protected landscape. The park covers 405 square miles of ancient forests, rolling moorland and dramatic valleys. You get luxury and space that no hotel can match alongside genuine wilderness on your doorstep.
We love how this area combines total seclusion with incredible history. Hadrian's Wall runs right through the park and you can walk sections of this 1,900-year-old Roman frontier. The Dark Sky Park status means you'll see stars like never before. After a day exploring you can sink into your private hot tub and watch the Milky Way appear overhead.
What to do on a family or couple's hot tub break in Northumberland National Park
The park attracts visitors seeking authentic wilderness experiences and historical depth. You won't find theme parks or shopping centres here. Instead you get Bronze Age rock art, medieval castles and some of Britain's rarest wildlife including red squirrels and otters.
Whether you're booking a romantic retreat for 2 or planning large family getaways, the variety of cottage breaks available means everyone finds their perfect match. Dog friendly lodges let you bring pets along forest trails. Boutique cottages offer luxury with underfloor heating and log burners. Remote self catering properties provide the isolation many visitors crave.
Sightseeing in Northumberland National Park
This landscape has barely changed in centuries. Stone-built villages like Elsdon and Harbottle contain fewer than 200 residents. The park's 2,000 residents are outnumbered by sheep 20 to 1. You'll drive miles without seeing another car on single-track roads that wind through the Cheviot Hills.
Top 5 attractions you have to see in Northumberland National Park
From ancient monuments to natural wonders, these five attractions showcase why this national park deserves its protected status and why visitors return year after year.
Hadrian's Wall at Housesteads
The best preserved Roman fort in Britain sits at Housesteads with walls still standing several metres high. You can walk through the barracks where soldiers lived 1,800 years ago and see the communal latrines. The wall stretches east and west from here with walking paths following its entire length through the park.
Cragside House and Gardens
Lord Armstrong built this Victorian mansion in the 1860s and made it the first house in the world lit by hydroelectricity. The 1,000-acre estate contains seven million trees and a network of lakes. Inside you'll find original furniture and the hydraulic lift still works. The rock garden blooms with rhododendrons each spring.
Kielder Water and Forest Park
Northern Europe's largest man-made lake holds 200 billion litres of water and the surrounding forest covers 250 square miles. You can hire bikes, try water sports or simply walk the shoreline trails. The observatory here offers stargazing sessions under some of England's darkest skies. Red squirrels are commonly spotted in the forest.
The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre
This award-winning building near Once Brewed provides interactive exhibits about the park's geology, wildlife and history. The grass roof blends into the landscape and offers panoramic views across Hadrian's Wall. Rangers lead guided walks from here and the café serves local produce. It's an excellent first stop to plan your visit.
Simonside Hills
These distinctive sandstone ridges rise to 440 metres and provide relatively easy walking with spectacular rewards. The summit views stretch from the Cheviots to the coast on clear days. Bronze Age cup and ring marks carved into rocks show people have valued this spot for 4,000 years. Heather turns the hillsides purple each August.
Don't Miss These...
| Attraction | What you'll experience | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hadrian's Wall at Housesteads | Walking through genuine Roman ruins with panoramic views across wild countryside | Everyone |
| Cragside House and Gardens | Victorian innovation in a stunning mansion surrounded by landscaped woodland | Families |
| Kielder Water and Forest Park | Outdoor activities from cycling to stargazing in England's largest forest | Everyone |
| The Sill Discovery Centre | Learning about the landscape through interactive displays and expert-led walks | Families |
| Simonside Hills | Accessible hill walking with ancient rock art and sweeping views | Couples |
Visitor FAQs
How do I get around Northumberland National Park?
You need a car. Public transport is extremely limited with only a few bus routes serving main villages. The park covers a huge area and attractions are spread out. Roads are often single-track so allow extra travel time.
What family activities work best here?
Walking is the main activity with trails suitable for all ages. Kielder offers bike hire and water sports. Many holiday cottages near the park have games rooms. Rock pooling works well on the coastal cottages to the east.
Where should couples go for romantic breaks?
Book secluded lodges in the Cheviot foothills for total privacy. Walk sections of Hadrian's Wall at sunset. Visit in winter when snow covers the hills and you'll have the landscape almost to yourselves.
Is there shopping nearby?
Rothbury and Bellingham have small shops for essentials. For proper shopping you need to visit Hexham or Alnwick, both 30 minutes from the park. Stock up before arriving at your cottage with hot tub.
Why choose hot tub stays here?
After walking 10 miles across moorland, a hot tub becomes essential rather than luxury. The isolation means your private hot tub offers genuine privacy. Watching stars from warm water on a clear night is unforgettable.
Cottages with hot tubs in Northumberland National Park combine comfort with adventure. Whether you're after cheap cottages for last minute deals or luxury cottages for new year celebrations, you'll find places to stay that match your needs. Pet friendly cottages welcome dogs on forest trails. Large cottages suit group getaways. Book your cottage breaks here and discover why this remains England's wildest landscape.