Northumberland

Northumberland is a ceremonial and historic county in the northeast of England. It borders Scotland to the north, the North Sea to the east, and is bounded by Cumbria to the west and by County Durham and Tyne and Wear to the south. The county town is Morpeth, and other notable towns include Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnwick, Hexham, Blyth, Ashington and Cramlington. The landscape ranges from the Cheviot Hills and the expansive Northumberland National Park to the rugged coastline, the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and offshore islands such as the Farne Islands and Lindisfarne (Holy Island). Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, crosses the northern frontier.

Historically part of the kingdom of Northumbria, the area has long served as a border region between England and Scotland, shaped by fortifications and the life of border reivers. Castles at Alnwick, Bamburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed reflect its strategic importance. In the 19th and 20th centuries, coal mining and other industries developed in parts of the county, but the modern economy relies on tourism, agriculture, and services, with growing renewable energy activities along the coast and in rural areas.

Administratively, Northumberland is a ceremonial and historic county. It is governed by a single-tier local authority, Northumberland County Council, and forms the Northumberland Lieutenancy for ceremonial purposes. The region emphasizes conservation of landscapes and historic sites, outdoor recreation, and cross-border links with Scotland.