Rothbury, Alnwick and Hexham have been named the top three destinations for a 'quietcation' in the North East, according to a new study by London North Eastern Railway (LNER). The railway company described the three picturesque market towns as "the region's most peaceful places to escape the noise and enjoy a slower-paced break".
How the ranking was decided
The data ranked the beauty spots based on factors including population density, air quality, dark-sky conditions, access to blue and green spaces, nearby nature designations, and the availability of quiet activities such as visiting tea rooms, bookshops and walking trails.
Northumberland is home to beautiful beaches and unspoiled countryside, making it an ideal place for a peaceful retreat as autumn marks the season of swapping sun-soaked holidays abroad for quiet and cosy staycations closer to home.
Rothbury tops the list
Topping the list is Rothbury, a town at the heart of the Northumberland countryside described as "a peaceful and picturesque haven" by Visit Northumberland. Surrounded by the Simonside Hills, the Cheviots and Northumberland National Park, it's a must-visit for nature lovers with an abundance of walking and cycle routes to discover.
Rothbury is also home to a selection of shops, pubs and tea rooms on its bustling high street. One of the top attractions in the town that families flock to all year round is the National Trust's Cragside, a Victorian mansion surrounded by spectacular gardens.
For places to stay, Mitchaven is a three-bedroom holiday cottage in Rothbury offering space for up to six people and two dogs, perched in the Coquet Valley with sweeping views across Northumberland National Park. Visitors can also stay on the Cragside estate itself, with Cragside Garden Cottage and Cragside Park Cottage to choose from, each offering space for six guests and including free entry to the mansion, although neither are dog-friendly. The top-rated hotel in Rothbury according to reviews on Booking.com is The Turks Head, a coaching inn dating back to the 16th century with six unique en-suite rooms, including pet-friendly options, as well as a pub serving home-cooked food daily.
Alnwick and Hexham follow
Coming in second place on the LNER ranking, Alnwick is perhaps best known for the iconic Alnwick Castle, the star of several hit films and TV series, which is open until October 22 before closing until the spring. Another favourite attraction is The Alnwick Garden, the home of a treehouse restaurant and cascading fountains as well as the giant play village of Lilidorei.
There's much more to explore in Alnwick, including Bailiffgate Museum, which delves into 10,000 years of history about Alnwick and the surrounding area. Barter Books is another top attraction, a second-hand bookshop set within a former train station, while the town is full of plenty more independent shops and eateries as well as weekly markets on Thursdays and Saturdays.
For places to stay, Ravenslaw House is a grand country manor house dating back to 1892 that has been transformed into a luxurious holiday let full of antique touches, from four poster beds to slipper baths. Alnwick is also officially home to the best small hotel in England, with The Tempus on the Charlton Hall Estate scooping this Gold award at the VisitEngland Tourism Awards earlier this year. Another characterful choice is The Cookie Jar, hand-picked by The Good Hotel Guide as one of the best in the region, and with more than 500 reviews it is the top-rated hotel in Alnwick on Booking.com.
Taking the third place spot is Hexham, a dream destination for history buffs as the home of former monastery Hexham Abbey built in 674 AD and an Old Gaol that can be traced back to the 1300s. It's the ideal base for uncovering more of Northumberland's history too, notably the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Hadrian's Wall and the Roman Forts stationed along it.
In the heart of Hexham alongside unique independent shops and eateries is the beautiful Sele Park, boasting woodland walks and a traditional bandstand. Visitors can also travel out to the nearby picturesque National Trust site Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, the largest area of ancient semi-natural woodland in Northumberland famed for its show-stopping autumn colours at this time of year.
For larger families and friend groups, The Barn At Devil's Water offers space for up to 10 guests and two dogs, located on a farm just outside the town. In Hexham, the number one hotel option according to reviews on Booking.com is The County Hotel, followed by The Coach and Horses and Langley Castle Hotel, a 14th-century castle set in a 12-acre woodland estate.
