Travelling to Northumberland

Access the Northumberland Journey Planner an interactive service which can provide you with details about the best way to travel in the region. Alternatively, ring the Traveline telephone service which operates to help you find out about public transport in the area. The number is 0870 608 2608.

Holy Island (also known as Lindisfarne) is a beautiful island community with its Castle, Abbey, Village, Pub, Shops, Nature Reserve and glorious sandy beaches and is well worth planning a day trip to. The island is accessed via a causeway which can only be used at certain stages of the tide. Please do not try to cross the causeway when it is not safe as the tide comes in very rapidly and is very dangerous. Please check the times at the start of the causeway before crossing.

Northumberland provides some excellent cycling because of the limited amount of traffic on the minor roads, the many little towns and villages on route - each with their own pubs and tea shops, and the lack of steep hills, especially on the coast. Even in the rolling Cheviot Hills, the slopes tend to be long and gentle rather than short and sharp. Cyclists may use all public roads, tracks, byways, paths and bridleways - but not public footpaths.

Most towns and villages in Northumberland are served by public transport. There are over 30 bus companies operating in Northumberland, many of which run only one or two services. By far the largest bus company is Arriva, whose buses operate out of 5 bus stations (Alnwick, Ashington, Blyth, Hexham and Morpeth) and Haymarket bus station in Newcastle. Regular bus services are complemented by specialist tourist services in the summer months including the Hadrian's Wall Bus and the Newcastle to Kielder bus. Details about these two services are available from Hexham Tourist Information Centre or via the Traveline telephone enquiry service, 0870 608 2608.

Alnwick now operates a Road Train with stopping off points between the Alnwick Gardens, through the town centre and on to Alnwick Castle.

Northumberland is well served by railway connections from the rest of Britain. The main East Coast line runs the full length of Northumberland and provides a scenic trip to Berwick or Edinburgh. While the East West route is along the picturesque Tyne Valley and onto Carlisle.

Currently there are three rail operators which operate in Northumberland: National Express, Northern Rail and Virgin Trains.

For National Rail Enquiries try calling 0845 7484950 or visit www.thetrainline.com/

Compared to other parts of Britain, Northumberland often provides restful leisurely driving.

There are miles of long straight Roman roads, quite country lanes and scenic spots to take a break.

The main roads to and through Northumberland are the A1, A68 and A69. The A1 from Edinburgh and London, provides direct access to the Northumberland Coastal strip, its magnificent beaches and Castles. The A69 follows the line of Hadrian's Wall across to Carlisle and the A68 takes you through hills and valleys, past the Cheviots and on into the Scottish borders.

Visit the National Express website who offer several routes in Northumberland and have an interactive service which provides timetable information and booking facilities for all National Express long distance coaches. Or if you prefer, telephone their national enquiry line on +44 (0)8705 808080.

Northumberland's main port is at Blyth, which is used by the local manufacturing industry.

Fishing boats still operate from Amble, Berwick, Boulmer and Seahouses.

Sailing boats and pleasure craft can be seen up and down the coastline and of course on Kielder Water.

International car and passenger and other freight links to Northumberland are provided by the Port of Tyne at the International Ferry Terminal at North Shields, just to the east of Newcastle with services to Amsterdam, Bergen, Gothenburg and beyond.

Air Services are provided through Newcastle International Airport, just to the south of the County, near Ponteland. It offers 13 flights a day to London (Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted) which all take less than an hour, flight time. In addition, there are regular flights to Europe and other British Airports. Newcastle Airport . NE13 8BZ Tel: 0870 122 1488.