Log cabins in Northumberland

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a log cabin in Northumberland?
• Log cabins in Northumberland: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Northumberland: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Northumberland?

• Cabins for every group: Choose from cosy two-person retreats to 10-person lodges, many with gardens, private hot tubs and a warm welcome for dogs, right across Northumberland's coast and countryside.
• Where to base yourself: Kielder Forest for stargazing, the coast around Seahouses and Bamburgh, or Hadrian's Wall country near Hexham and Alnwick.
• England's darkest skies: The Northumberland International Dark Sky Park covers 1,483 square kilometres, so a cabin terrace here is one of the best places in the country to see the stars.
• Castle country: Northumberland has more castles than any other English county, from Alnwick to Lindisfarne, plus long, walkable stretches of Hadrian's Wall.
• Made for the outdoors: Walking, cycling and wildlife-watching in the Northumberland National Park sit right on the doorstep of most cabins.

Log cabins in Northumberland range from snug boltholes for two to spacious lodges sleeping ten, so there is a fit for couples, families and larger groups alike. Many sit in their own gardens, and a good number are dog-friendly or come with a private hot tub. The most popular features among Northumberland's log cabins include:

• Private hot tubs for stargazing after dark
• Enclosed gardens, ideal for children and dogs
• Wood-burning stoves and cosy log fires
• Wi-Fi for longer stays and remote working
• Barbecues and terraces facing open countryside

With pets welcome at many cabins, the whole family can enjoy Northumberland's coast and countryside together.

What are the best areas to stay in Northumberland?

For beaches and castles, base yourself on the coast around Bamburgh and Seahouses; for forest and dark skies, head inland to Kielder. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Log cabins in Northumberland rate consistently well with our guests, with many of the county's cabins scoring above 9 out of 10. Visitors regularly praise the peace and quiet, the star-filled night skies, the warm welcome extended to dogs, and hosts who happily share local tips on the best walks, beaches and castle visits nearby.

Northumberland is England's northernmost county, stretching from a long North Sea coastline up to the Scottish border and inland to the Cheviot Hills and the Northumberland National Park.

🥗Where to eat in Northumberland?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, Hjem near Hexham is the best-rated restaurant in Northumberland. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: The Wilson family, cabin guests near Alnwick, recommend the café at Barter Books in Alnwick: after a morning on the coast they love its cosy corners, homemade cakes and endless shelves of books — a perfect rainy-afternoon retreat for all ages.

1. Stargaze in the Dark Sky Park
2. Walk a stretch of Hadrian's Wall
3. Explore Alnwick Castle and its Poison Garden
4. Cross the causeway to Holy Island
5. Spot puffins and seals on the Farne Islands
6. Unwind on Bamburgh beach
7. Cycle around Kielder Water

1. Stargaze in the Dark Sky Park

   The Northumberland International Dark Sky Park is the largest area of protected night sky in Europe, and on a clear night you can see the Andromeda Galaxy with the naked eye. Head to the Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory in Wark for guided sessions and one-day astronomy courses, or simply step onto your cabin terrace once the sun goes down. Autumn and winter bring the longest, darkest evenings, so wrap up warm and let your eyes adjust.

2. Walk a stretch of Hadrian's Wall

   Nearly 2,000 years old, Hadrian's Wall once marked the northern edge of the Roman Empire, and long sections still stride across the Northumberland landscape. Walk part of the national trail between Housesteads and Vindolanda, where ongoing excavations regularly turn up Roman finds. The nearby Roman Army Museum near Greenhead uses 3D technology to bring frontier life vividly back. It is an easy and rewarding day out from almost any cabin in the county.

3. Explore Alnwick Castle and its Poison Garden

   Alnwick Castle is one of England's grandest, and film fans will recognise it as a backdrop from the Harry Potter films. Alongside the state rooms, the grounds hold the famous Poison Garden, filled with plants so dangerous the gates carry the warning 'these plants can kill'. Children love the broomstick-flying lessons in summer, and the town's enormous second-hand bookshop makes a cosy stop if the Northumberland weather turns.

4. Cross the causeway to Holy Island

   Reached by a tidal causeway that vanishes twice a day, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne feels a world apart. Time your crossing with the safe-crossing tables, then explore the ruined priory, the compact Lindisfarne Castle and the island's famous mead. Birdwatchers will find the surrounding nature reserve rich with waders and wildfowl. It is a genuinely memorable half-day, but do check the tide times carefully before you set off from your cabin.

5. Spot puffins and seals on the Farne Islands

   From the harbour at Seahouses, boat trips head out to the Farne Islands, one of the finest wildlife spots in the country. In late spring and summer you can watch thousands of puffins, guillemots and terns nesting, while grey seals bask on the rocks year-round. Bring a waterproof, as the terns are known to dive-bomb visitors, and a camera, because the sea-bird spectacle just offshore is hard to beat anywhere in Britain.

6. Unwind on Bamburgh beach

   Few beaches in England are as striking as Bamburgh, where a vast sweep of pale sand runs beneath the walls of a mighty castle. It is perfect for kite-flying, rock-pooling and bracing walks whatever the season, and rarely feels crowded even at the weekend. Round off the afternoon with fish and chips in the village, or a visit to the Grace Darling Museum, which tells the story of the county's most famous lighthouse-keeper's daughter.

7. Cycle around Kielder Water

   Inland, Kielder Forest is England's largest forest and wraps around the shimmering Kielder Water reservoir. A 26-mile lakeside trail is ideal for cycling and walking, with art and architecture dotted along the way, and red squirrels still thrive in the woods. It is also a hub for the dark skies, thanks to the observatory nearby. Hire bikes locally, pack a picnic and make the most of a proper day in the outdoors from your cabin.