northumberland national park

a place to explore, connect & belong

Northumberland National Park is a landscape that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply and reconnect with nature, history and each other. With wide skies, open moorland and some of the cleanest air and rivers in England, it offers a powerful sense of space and wellbeing, where walking is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the landscape

For many people, the journey begins at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre near Hadrian’s Wall. Much more than a starting point for walks, The Sill plays a vital role in helping people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities feel welcomed into the National Park. Through inclusive exhibitions, events, learning programmes and friendly staff, The Sill helps to break down barriers and build confidence, encouraging first-time visitors and diverse groups to explore the landscape in ways that suit them.

Walking routes from The Sill lead directly into the National Park. These walks aren’t about ticking off miles, but about discovering nature at your own pace, noticing birdsong, changing seasons and the stories shaped into the land.

A highlight for many visitors is Walltown Country Park, the National Park’s most accessible outdoor site. Wheel-friendly paths around ponds and woodland create gentle ways to engage with nature, while routes climbing up to the crags reward walkers with dramatic views where Hadrian’s Wall stretches across the Whin Sill. It’s a place where families and school groups, seasoned walkers and casual strollers, those in wheelchairs or scooters can all find a route that feels right for them.

Across the wider park, walking helps people form deeper connections with nature, heritage and wellbeing. Guided walks, ranger-led activities and community-focused events provide opportunities to learn, share stories and build confidence outdoors. Whether following a short circular walk or tackling a section of the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail, each step brings people closer to the landscape and to a sense of belonging within it.

Northumberland National Park is a place to visit and a place to feel part of. Through The Sill, Walltown and its network of welcoming walking routes, the National Park continues to open its landscapes to everyone.