With Conde Nast Traveller naming Northumberland’s National Park one of the most unforgettable in the world, Samuel Gibson, Partner at Strutt & Parker’s Morpeth office takes a closer look at the area.

It doesn’t surprise me that Northumberland National Park is so highly regarded by Conde Nast – although we’re the underdogs up here we still have some of the best views, walks and clear skies in the country, while property prices remain very reasonable.

Natural distractions

The least populated national park in England - with 400 square miles of unspoiled scenery – has a number of stunning sites for locals to enjoy:

Kielder Water and Forest
Here you’ll find both amazing man-made attractions (northern Europe’s largest man-made lake) and natural ones, such as England's largest forest. Whether you’re after wildlife, leisure activities or simply walks through the woods, Kielder has it all.

Cheviot Hills

The moor-topped hills, which rise up 850m above sea level, offer more than just miles of untouched countryside. There are also a number of ancient sites to discover such as an Iron Age hill fort.

Hadrian’s Wall

Although not a natural feature, it now seems as much a part of the landscape as moors and spruce. Winding its way across the park, it inspired The Wall in Game of Thrones and includes scattered Roman forts for your discovery.

Dark Skies

The National Park also has one of the few International Dark Sky statuses in world. This was awarded in December 2013, so is still a fairly new thing and one of only 4 others in the UK. This attracts a degree of ‘astro-tourism’ as a prime position for star gazing.

Where to buy?

Morpeth is the busiest market town in the region. It’s a simple commute by rail or road to Newcastle and close to beautiful coastline to the east and Northumberland National Park to the west. The town is well serviced by Newcastle International Airport which links to Schiphol, New York and Dubai on a daily basis.

The housing market here is thriving; much because of the recent facelift the town has been given. The Sanderson Arcade has brought a revival to the shopping experience in town and there is a genuine buzz. Some of the region’s best schools are found in Morpeth and there’s something for everyone when it comes to homes, with a wide selection in size, value and style.

The small but perfectly-formed, pretty village of Harbottle near the Cheviot Hills attracts lots of buyers looking for a rural getaway. This second-home hotspot sits in the heart of the National Park. It’s well known for its fantastic primary school, Harbottle C of E First School, which has won many top accolades including ‘Outstanding’ from Ofsted and SIAMS.

Who’s buying here?

There’s a wide range in property prices; and unlike other national parks, where you might expect to pay a premium, Northumberland offers extremely good value for money.

The increased protection the park provides - also being an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - acts as an added incentive and is well worth the added lure for conservation/planning potential that comes with the package.

There is a huge ex-pat Geordie class of buyer. I am seeing lots of people return to Northumberland, either for retirement or second homes after making their money in London – I call it ‘the pull of the north’.

There is something for everyone here, that’s the ultimate thing, and that’s what often attracts people up.