Explore ancient landscapes and pitch-black night skies in the UK’s most remote park.
Harbouring a population of just 2,000 within its 405 square miles (1049 square kilometres), Northumberland National Park is the UK’s most secluded. Lined by over 1,100 kilometres of footpaths, cycle trails, and bridleways (and home to Hadrian’s Wall, the Hareshaw Linn waterfall, and the Sycamore Gap tree), the park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Plus, the lack of light pollution makes this a prime spot for stargazing—in the right conditions, it’s even possible to see the Milky Way and Andromeda with your own eyes. A variety of camping options offer something for everyone, from secluded wildlife-watching camps in the north to family-friendly working farms in the south.
As the UK’s least populated park, visitors can enjoy tranquility and seclusion year-round, though the sights and delights of summer still bring their fair share of holidaymakers. Adventurers who aren’t put off by a cold wind will find plenty to explore during the winter season, which begins in October, when wintering birds arrive in the dozens and the remote landscape is blanketed by the occasional falling of snow.