Eight of the Best Adventure Activities in Northumberland

Northumberland is well-known for its vast wild outdoor spaces and therefore it is the perfect place for indulging in adventure activities of all kinds. With sunshine just around the corner, what could be better?

If you are looking at, or have already booked, a holiday in the North-East this summer, then have a look at these five adventure activity ideas to add that unique and momentous experience to your stay.

• Adventure Northumberland

Unit 2B, Greensfield Court, Alnwick, NE66 2

Adventure Northumberland offer a fantastic range of activities for all ages and abilities, both on and off the water. Since opening in 2009, Adventure Northumberland have offered these fun activities to friends, families, youth groups, schools and stag/hen parties. Activities offered include coasteering, sea kayaking, canoeing, rafting – lazy river, stand up paddle boarding and rock climbing. There are also opportunities to complete certified navigation courses at bronze and silver levels.

Adventure Northumberland is also committed to supporting charities and provide numerous fundraising opportunities from long distance walking challenges to sponsored abseils.

• Mountain Biking in Kielder Water and Forest Park

Kielder Cycle Centre, Kielder Village, Northumberland, NE48 1ER

Kielder Water and Forest Park has some of the UK’s best single-track mountain biking trials, and each one offers breathtaking views of Northumberland. There are 8 trails to choose from that have been graded according to suitability of ages and abilities so it is easy to decide which trail is right for you and your group.

You don’t even need to bring your own bikes to experience this adventure as bikes can be hired from the Kielder Cycle Centre. It is advisable to book in advance if you do wish to hire a bike due to the popularity of mountain biking in Kielder, especially in the summer months. Hire prices start at £10/2 hours for children and from £10/2hours for adult bikes.

• Allout Adventures

The Pursuits Centre, Slaley Hall Hotel, Slaley, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 0BX

Allout Adventures is based on Slaley Hall’s 1300-acre country estate and offers pre-bookable activities for family fun days, corporate events, birthday parties, stag and hen parties and team building.

Onsite activities at Allout Adventure include Adult Quad Biking, Family Quad Biking, 4 x 4 Off Road Driving and Segway Safaris.

• Jarvy Aviation

Eshott Airfield, Felton, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE65 9QJ

Jarvy Aviation offer totally different flying experiences by taking you into the sky in a flex wing microlight. With no aircraft body being in the way, the feeling of flying is like no other, and the scenic views are breathtaking.

To be able to fly, passengers need to be ages 8 and upwards and not weigh more than 16stone. Flex wing microlight experiences range in price and length but generally start around £70 for a 30-minute flight.

• Kielder Sports

The Comb, Tarset, Near Kielder, NE48 1RU

For an alternative treat for friends, family, colleague teambuilding or stag/hen parties, why not visit Kielder Sports in the Northumberland National Park countryside. Activities her include clay pigeon shooting, Archery, Air Rifle shooting and a Falconry experience. Kielder Sports provides a great way to learn a new skill while enjoying the great outdoors.

The minimum age for the activities is 13 and prices range from £25 - £60 per person depending on activity. Prices include all equipment needed.

• County Durham Zorbing Arena.

The abundance of rolling hills mean the region is perfect for zorbing.  Also known as sphereing, sphere mania, orbz, harnessed sphereing, roll mania and aqua zorbs, this popular craze involves rolling down a hill at pretty fast speed.

You can choose to be harnessed so that your journey down will feel a bit like a ride in a theme park. Alternatively, you can do an aqua zorb where you are not harnessed and you get a bucket of water poured into the zorb to make the experience feel like you are going down a giant waterslide.  Either way, zorbing is great fun.

If you are interested to have a go, zorbing is available at the County Durham Zorbing Arena.

• Coasteering

If the above outdoor activities are a little tame for you, then a coasteering experience will guarantee to get your adrenalin pumping.  Definitely not for the faint hearted, coasteering involves a combination of cliff jumping, rock climbing, sea level traversing as well as sea cave exploration.

Since the region features some of the most stunning but also rugged coastlines in the country, it provides an ideal setting for this pursuit.  Apart from expending lots of energy and sending your heart racing, you will get to see interesting things like sea caves, tunnels, gulleys, cliffs and blow-holes.

• Kirkley Hall Outdoor Activity Centre

For fantastic family fun, you can try a tree top adventure with a high ropes course at the Kirkley Hall Outdoor Activity Centre.  Located in the heart of the Northumberland countryside, this facility provides a perfect way to enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

You will be challenged by complicated bridge crossings, the Leap of Faith as well as a 120m Zip Slide where you fly through the air at 20 miles per hour.