Nepedia
Back to Discover
Fluent Reader
🗺️

Northumberland

geography Maturity 11-13 politics Next article →

This article covers sensitive topics: politics. Parents can manage visibility in Parental Controls.

Northumberland is a ceremonial county in North East England.

Northumberland UK locator map 2010
Northumberland UK locator map 2010

It sits right on the border with Scotland. To the east, the land meets the North Sea. To the south, it is bordered by Tyne and Wear and County Durham. To the west, it sits near Cumbria. This county is the northernmost part of England.

Northumberland - British Isles
Northumberland - British Isles

Because it is so far north, it is one of the coldest areas in the country. Most of the land is rural and quiet. It is the least crowded county in all of England.

The landscape changes quite a bit depending on where you stand.

ShepherdPhysical1926Northumberland
ShepherdPhysical1926Northumberland

Near the North Sea coast, the land is low and flat. As you move toward the northwest, the ground becomes more mountainous. The Cheviot Hills are the highest part of the county.

Long Crag summit
Long Crag summit

Many rivers flow through this beautiful landscape. The North Tyne and South Tyne rivers join near Hexham to form the River Tyne. Other major rivers include the Blyth, Coquet, Aln, Wansbeck, and the River Tweed. The Tweed actually forms part of the border with Scotland.

This area has a very long and busy history.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle - nord hymbra land
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle - nord hymbra land

Its name comes from an old term meaning "the land north of the Humber." For a long time, it was a frontier zone between England and Scotland. Because it was a border land, many people built strong defenses there. Northumberland has more castles than any other county in England.

Northumberland Hadrian's Wall Aerial 2
Northumberland Hadrian's Wall Aerial 2

You can see famous castles at Alnwick, Bamburgh, and Warkworth. You can even find the remains of the ancient Roman wall called Hadrian's Wall.

People have lived and worked here for many centuries.

The Cricket Pavilion, Bamburgh, Northumberland - geograph.org.uk - 1945900
The Cricket Pavilion, Bamburgh, Northumberland - geograph.org.uk - 1945900

In the past, the area was part of the kingdom of Northumbria. It was also a very important place for early Christianity. The tidal island of Lindisfarne was a famous center for monks.

Red pog
Red pog

During the Industrial Revolution, the county changed again. Many people worked in coal mines, shipbuilding, and making weapons. Large coalfields once stretched across the southeast corner of the county. These mines helped power much of Britain.

Today, Northumberland is a wonderful place for visitors to explore.

Flying the flag for Northumberland, Hexham - geograph.org.uk - 6420559
Flying the flag for Northumberland, Hexham - geograph.org.uk - 6420559

People come to see the scenic beauty and the many historical sites. You can visit the Northumberland National Park or the beautiful coast.

2012-07-03 Bloody Crane's-bill, Hauxley, Northumberland 4
2012-07-03 Bloody Crane's-bill, Hauxley, Northumberland 4

Nature lovers might enjoy the Farne Islands or the Kielder forest. In fact, half of all red squirrels in England live in the Kielder area. It is a place where history and nature live side by side.

407 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (21)
File:Northumberland UK locator map 2010.svg
Northumberland UK locator map 2010.svg
File:Northumberland - British Isles.svg
Northumberland - British Isles.svg
File:Anglo-Saxon Chronicle - nord hymbra land.jpg
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle - nord hymbra land.jpg
File:Long Crag summit.jpg
Long Crag summit.jpg
File:ShepherdPhysical1926Northumberland.png
ShepherdPhysical1926Northumberland.png
File:N NE England SRTM.png
N NE England SRTM.png
File:Rothbury, Northumberland.jpg
Rothbury, Northumberland.jpg
File:Northumberland Hadrian's Wall Aerial 2.jpg
Northumberland Hadrian's Wall Aerial 2.jpg
File:Flying the flag for Northumberland, Hexham - geograph.org.uk - 6420559.jpg
Flying the flag for Northumberland,...
File:County Hall, Morpeth (geograph 4464710).jpg
County Hall, Morpeth (geograph 4464710).jpg
File:United Kingdom EU referendum 2016 area results (North East England).svg
United Kingdom EU referendum 2016 area...
File:Housedon hill.jpg
Housedon hill.jpg

+ 9 more

More to explore

🔬 Go deeper

More advanced topics to explore

🪜 Step back

Simpler topics to build understanding

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.