If you want to make the most of the outdoors in the North East for your next getaway, Northumberland might be just the place.

The county has been named one of the top 10 places in the UK for a countryside break by BBC Countryfile magazine.

There is plenty to see in the area, with a focus on Northumberland National Park, whether it’s for a spot of stargazing or a day spent exploring the local wildlife.

Why is Northumberland one of the UK’s best countryside breaks?

@thenomadsyouknow This national park is highly underrated, one of our favourite walks here 🫶🏼🌳 SAVE FOR LATER! #visitnorthumberland #northeastengland #northumberlandnationalpark #hikinguk #bestwalksuk #ukhiking #uktraveller #uktravels #ukscenery ♬ Brazil - Declan McKenna

BBC Countryfile magazine wrote: “As town and city dwellers all over country will testify, light pollution pretty much wipes out any chance you have of getting a really good look of the night sky.

“Happily, it’s not a problem they suffer from in Northumberland, which has been officially judged to have the darkest skies in England.

“In 2013, Northumberland National Park and the greater part of Kielder Water and Forest Park was designated as England’s very first International Dark Sky Park.

“On clear nights, you can observe the Milky Way and an array of constellations that are usually lost in the glow of artificial light – Pegasus, Perseus and Pisces.”

@b.ands.explore Blue Skies and beautiful views! Kielder Forest and Kielder Water is absolutely gorgeous 😍 #kielder #camping #northofengland #northumberland #northumberlandcamping #kielderforest #kielderwater #kielderwaterside ♬ Green Green Grass (Sped-Up) - George Ezra

The publisher also noted that during the day, you could seek out the national park’s “assortment of avian life”.

“Common birds there include the lapwing, snipe, red and black grouse, oystercatcher, golden plover and curlew.

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“Meanwhile, dippers stalk the park’s rivers and streams in search of tasty insect larvae, and at dusk the ghostly forms of barn owls sweep the air.”

For those who hope to see something magical in the sky during their stay, the magazine adds: “The Twice Brewed Inn near Vindolanda Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall offers not only cosy rooms with views and a slap-up breakfasts but also a comprehensive programme of stargazing events, organised by the pub’s own team of astronomers.

“You could enjoy a planetarium or a laser-guided tour of the constellations, or a look through a telescope at the planets, galaxies and star clusters.”