Northumberland

Unitary authority in England

Coordinates:	55.3, -2.05
OS grid ref:	NT 96 00

Northumberland sits on England’s northern edge and is one of the most sparsely populated counties, famed for its big skies and varied landscape. From the rolling Cheviot Hills and the forests and reservoir at Kielder to a long, often windswept coastline dotted with nature-rich islands such as the Farne Islands, much of the area is protected by the Northumberland National Park and dark-sky designations.

Its history is palpable: the line of Hadrian's Wall crosses the county, and a string of fortified sites and castles like Bamburgh Castle and the castle and gardens at Alnwick reflect centuries of border history and defence. The tidal Holy Island and dozens of small communities keep strong local traditions, with music, festivals and crafts rooted in rural life.

Economically the area combines farming and forestry with a significant tourism sector drawn by heritage and outdoors pursuits, while renewables and rural services play a growing role. The unitary authority, based at Morpeth, manages a wide area with transport links south to Newcastle and north to the Scottish border, reflecting the county’s mix of remoteness and regional connections.

Northumberland postcode districts

NE18, NE19, NE20, NE22, NE23, NE24, NE41, NE42, NE43, NE44, NE45, NE46, NE47, NE48, NE49, NE61, NE62, NE63, NE64, NE65, NE66, NE67, NE68, NE69, NE70, NE71, TD15

Most populated places in Northumberland

Places in Northumberland

Alnwick Built-up area
Amble Built-up area
Amble by the Sea Parish
Ashington Built-up area
Bedlington Built-up area
Berwick-upon-Tweed Built-up area
Blyth Built-up area
Choppington Built-up area
Corbridge Built-up area
Cramlington Built-up area
East Chevington Parish
Hadston Built-up area
Haltwhistle Built-up area
Haydon Bridge Built-up area
Hexham Built-up area
Longhoughton Built-up area
Lynemouth Built-up area
Morpeth Built-up area
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Built-up area
North Sunderland Parish
Pegswood Built-up area
Ponteland Built-up area
Prudhoe Built-up area
Rothbury Built-up area
Seahouses and North Sunderland Built-up area
Seaton Delaval Built-up area
Seghill Built-up area
Shilbottle Built-up area
Stakeford Built-up area
Stocksfield Built-up area
Wooler Built-up area
Wylam Built-up area