12 Things to Do Near Haggerston Castle

Cocklawburn beach near Haggerston Castle

Are you looking for things to do near Haggerston Castle

Haggerston Castle Holiday Park, a Haven-run holiday park, is set on beautiful grounds with a grade 2 listed castle tower, lakes, and plenty of activities for the whole family on-site. 

But, if you want to explore some of the Northumberland attractions near Haggerston Castle, there are plenty of options to keep you busy. 

Haggerston Castle, Haven Holidays, Things to Do Near Haggerston Castle
Lake View, Haggerston Castle (Photo Credit: Haven Holidays)

Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities or want to explore local history, there’s something for everyone within 10 miles of Haggerston Castle Holiday Park.

Disclaimer: As an affiliate partner, we might earn from qualifying purchases – any links on this page that go to a holiday park booking platform might earn us a commission if you make a purchase. This is at no additional cost to you.


1. Andy Howey’s Birds of Prey Centre

  • Distance from the park: 0.2 feet
  • Travel time: 4-minute walk
Owl

Just a 4-minute walk from the holiday park, Andy Howey’s Birds of Prey Centre is a popular day out for all ages. Interactive, educational displays, unrushed opportunities to get close to birds of prey, reptiles and insects in a fun, safe environment. Numbers are limited, so remember to pre-book.

  • Owls, hawks, falcons, birds of prey
  • Flying and handling displays
  • Beautiful, landscaped gardens
  • Snakes, spiders, lizards, and creepy crawlies
  • Reasonably priced entrance

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:45 PM and 2:45 PM, Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
  • Address: Haggerston Castle Italian Gardens, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 2NZ
  • Standard Adult Price: £6

2. Cocklawburn Beach

  • Distance from the park: 7.5 miles
  • Travel time: 15-minute drive
Cocklawburn Beach
Cocklawburn Beach

This vast, windswept stretch of sand sheltered by grassy dunes is along the stunning heritage coast. 

Situated in the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this secluded, unspoilt beach has beautiful views across Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle. It is perfect for paddling, rock pools, surfing and coastal walks. 

  • Northumberland Coast Path and National Cycle Route nearby
  • Steps leading down to the beach
  • Gorgeous views
  • Birdwatching, wildflowers
  • Restaurant and play area 1.5 miles away
  • Car park

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 24 Hours, Daily
  • Address: Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 2SY
  • Standard Adult Price: Free

3. Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre

  • Distance from the park: 10.1 miles
  • Travel time: 19-minute drive
Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre
Photo Credit: Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre

Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre is a traditional working farm and museum where you can learn about the history and importance of working horses and meet the majestic, gentle Clydesdales face to face. 

The museum houses one of the largest collections of horse-drawn machinery and memorabilia from the heavy horse era. 

Nostalgia for grandparents, learning and physical contact with the past for younger generations, this is a fabulous day out for the whole family, a 19-minute drive from Haggerston Castle.

  • Visitor Centre
  • Rare Breed Clydesdales, foals in the stables
  • Rescue/adoption centre
  • Heavy horses and rare sheep in their natural surroundings
  • Two picnic areas, indoor and outdoor, with fabulous views
  • On The Hoof takeaway refreshments
  • Gift shops
  • Disabled access dogs welcome on a lead

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 10 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays (March to December)
  • Address: Nr Heatherslaw Ford, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD12 4TR
  • Standard Adult Price: £7.50

4. Bamburgh Castle

  • Distance from the park: 12.4 miles
  • Travel time: 20-minute drive
Bamburgh Castle
Bamburgh Castle

Dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, Bamburgh Castle is one of the world’s most important archaeological sites and has stood guard over the Northumbrian coast for thousands of years. 

There are 14 areas of the fortress open to the public, filled with treasures, stories, legends, and even a ghost or two. 

The magnificent King’s Hall houses over 3000 pieces of artwork, porcelain, and furniture. 

Children love the armour, rare swords and shields and will delight in discovering the castle’s secrets on the Hope the Dragon trail.

  • Fascinating archaeological finds, including the legendary Beast of Bamburgh
  • Keep, towers, battlements and ramparts dating back to the 1500s
  • Armstrong and Aviation Artifacts Museum
  • Themed activities: wreath making
  • Hope the Dragon trail to discover the castles’ secrets
  • Cafeteria serving fresh food
  • Picnic areas

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 10 AM to 5 PM, Daily (from February to November)
  • Address: Bamburgh, Northumberland NE69 7DF
  • Standard Adult Price: £15.50

5. Bamburgh Beach

  • Distance from the park: 12.4 miles
  • Travel time: 20-minute drive
Bamburgh Beach
Bamburgh Beach

Breathtaking Bamburgh Castle overlooks the broad expanse of pristine sands on Bamburgh Beach, with views of the Farne Islands, home to puffins and seals. 

After exploring the castle, the beach is perfect for paddling in the waves, sandcastles, picnics and beach games, and beautiful walks. 

Sandy Hills dunes which shelter the beach, are a Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to various wildlife and rare species of insects.

  • Summer activities, including archaeological excavations
  • Surf lessons and board hire

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 24 Hours, Daily
  • Address: Bamburgh, Northumberland NE69 7DF
  • Standard Adult Price: Free

6. Heatherslaw Light Railway

  • Distance from the park: 10.2 miles
  • Travel time: 19-minute drive
Thomas the Train
Thomas the Train

A ride on the 15″ gauge Heatherslaw Light Railway is excellent fun for all the family. 

Carriages are pulled by steam locomotives “Lady Augusta” and “Bunty” for a 6.4km round trip along the pretty banks of the River Till. 

Children especially love the train ride because the engine looks like Thomas! 

The Cheviots’ fantastic views as the train puffs through the scenic Northumberland countryside to Etal, where you’ll find the Lavender Tea Rooms, a castle, and a drink at the Black Bull.

  • Heatherslaw attractions: Boes Café, Heatherslaw Cornmill working water mill, heritage museum
  • Ford & Etal Visitor Centre
  • Shops, pottery
  • The train runs every hour from each station
  • Ride the train as often as you want to on a one-day ticket
  • Choice of covered and partially covered coaches
  • Lovely natural surroundings, flowers and wildlife, otters, swans, herons, ducks

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 11 AM to 4 PM, Daily (Depends on Season)
  • Address: Ford Forge, Heatherslaw, Cornhill-on-Tweed, Northumberland TD12 4TJ
  • Standard Adult Price: £9.50

7. Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island

  • Distance from the park: 7.3 miles
  • Travel time: 18-minute drive
Lindisfarne Castle
Lindisfarne Castle

Six miles from Haggerston Castle on the lovely Holy Island, Lindisfarne Castle, looked after by the National Trust, is well worth visiting. 

Plan your visit carefully because access to enchanting Lindisfarne Castle is across the tidal Holy Island causeway. For centuries, pilgrims and visitors have been drawn to Lindisfarne. 

It’s quite a walk from the car park, and the access is steep, but the scenery is stunning, the atmosphere mysterious and energising, and the views from the top of the castle are incredible.

  • Natural beauty, rich heritage
  • Birdwatching, wildlife
  • Holy Island beaches, amazing views
  • Shop, gardens
  • Pubs, restaurants nearby
  • Lindisfarne Priory
  • Just 5 minutes from the castle, 11th century Lindisfarne Priory is one of Holy Island’s most beautiful sights. 
  • An excellent place to explore, steeped in history, the world-famous Benedictine Priory was founded in AD634, destroyed during Viking raids, and rebuilt by the Normans. 
  • Atmospheric, beautiful location
  • Historic English Heritage site
  • Museum
  • Shop

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 12 PM to 7 PM, Saturday to Thursday
  • Address: Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 2SH
  • Standard Adult Price: £8.50

8. Chain Bridge Honey Farm

  • Distance from the park: 10.2 miles
  • Travel time: 16-minute drive
Honeybees smelling flowers

Chain Bridge Honey Farm is about 8 miles from Haggerston Castle, a fascinating opportunity to observe and learn about the bees and sample all the distinct types of honey. 

Visitor Centre, free entry, open 7 days a week, old machinery, hive displays, bee behaviour, beehives, bumblebees, wasps, and swarms

  • Chain Bridge
  • Double-decker bus café

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 10 AM to 5 PM, Daily (Visitor Centre)
  • Address: Horncliffe, Berwick upon Tweed TD15 2XT
  • Standard Adult Price: Free

9. Berwick Boat Trip

  • Distance from the park: 7.9 miles
  • Travel time: 15-minute drive to Quayside
River Tweed
River Tweed

Choose from various scenic trips along the River Tweed Estuary and out to sea, where you might glimpse a seal, a dolphin, and a kittiwake colony. 

Visitors love the captain’s entertaining commentary, a pleasant, affordable way to go sightseeing on the Northumberland coast. 

You can book your Berwick Boat Trip online six miles from Haggerston Castle. 

  • A choice of 1- and 2-hour trips: Bridges and Castles, Chain Bridge
  • Wildlife, seabirds
  • Informative, entertaining commentary

10. Norham Castle

  • Distance from the park: 12.2 miles
  • Travel time: 17-minute drive
Norham Castle
Norham Castle

Impressive Norham Castle is set on a high mound overlooking the River Tweed and was a much-besieged fortress during the many battles in the region. 

Robert the Bruce attacked the castle on 13 occasions. Historic, atmospheric, this is a fantastic place for adults and children to explore from Haggerston Castle. 

  • 12th-century keep, towered bailey walls
  • Turner information, castle portrayed in his paintings
  • Beautiful church and facilities in the village nearby

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 10 AM to 6 PM, Daily From April to September; Weekends From October to March
  • Address: Castle Street, Norham, Northumberland, TD15 2JY
  • Standard Adult Price: Free

11. Ross Back Sands Beach

  • Distance from the park: 8.5 miles
  • Travel time: 20-minute drive
Ross Back Sands
Ross Back Sands

Said to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Ross Back Sands is three glorious miles of dunes and a golden sandy shore between Holy Island and Bamburgh. 

It’s a mile from the nearest parking area, so the stunning beach is often deserted. 

  • Spectacular views of Lindisfarne and Farnes
  • Miles of unspoilt sands, solitude, peace
  • Seal colony, wading and sea birds, restricted access during the breeding season.

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 24 Hours, Daily
  • Address: Belford NE70 7EN
  • Standard Adult Price: Free

12. St Cuthbert’s Cave

  • Distance from the park: 6.9 miles
  • Travel time: 16-minute drive
St Cuthberts Cave
St Cuthbert’s Cave

It’s a beautiful walk up the hill through the woods to mysterious St Cuthbert’s Cave, with panoramic views of the Cheviot Hills and across the sea to Holy Island. 

Monks brought St Cuthbert’s body here in ancient times, and the peaceful, atmospheric location is said to bring spiritual healing. 

  • Scenic walking trails
  • Fantastic views
  • History and legend

Good To Know:

  • Opening Time: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Daily
  • Address: Lowick, Belford TD15 2UL, United Kingdom
  • Standard Adult Price: Free

Final Thoughts on Things to do near Haggerston Castle

Northumberland, with its rich tapestry of history, rugged landscapes, and breathtaking coastlines, offers endless adventures for those staying near Haggerston Castle.

Whether exploring ancient castles, wandering through charming villages, or feeling the soft sands beneath your feet on its pristine beaches, there’s a unique experience waiting at every turn.

As each day unveils a new discovery, one thing’s for certain: a trip here promises memories that will last a lifetime.

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