Waking to birdsong, stepping out to fields of newly-minted green and returning to the welcome light of early evening – April is the time to fall in love with Northumberland all over again.
Tucked away in a peaceful nook, our stable suites offer a luxurious home-from-home and the perfect setting to watch wildlife return to meadows, trees and hedgerows. And as the landscape wakes, many of our beautiful, historic attractions re-open – ready for a new season of adventure.
So from blossom-filled walks and time-travelling fun to boat trips to spot puffins – discover our guide to April in Northumberland to fill your next stay with blue-sky moments to treasure.
Sunshine & Blossom
It’s hard to resist the call of the garden in April – as shoots emerge and the first flowers come into colour. Over at Alnwick Garden the tulips and apple blossom will be in flower and their spectacular display of cherry blossom trees just beginning to bloom.
Gibside is celebrating the beauty of the season with the National Trust’s North East in Blossom 2025. Enjoy guided walks with gardeners, meet the beekeepers and take a self-guided tour to learn about the botany of this historic estate.
And, there’s still time to book your day in the sun, with Luke Jerram’s Helios at Seaton Delaval Hall from the 21st March until the 6th April. Named after the ancient Greek sun god, Helios, this 7-metre sun sculpture suspends from the hall’s speculator entrance and is brought to life with rippling lights, solar imagery and sounds recorded by NASA.
Spring On The Wing
You don’t need binoculars to know when birdlife returns to Northumberland for spring. Just look up to see the first swallows darting through the sky or turn your ears tree-wards to hear joyful blackbird song.
On the uplands the distinctive call of the curlew is a sign that spring is here as they return to the hills to breed. And deep in the woods, endangered ospreys have soared back to their treetop nests in Kielder Forest. Join trained volunteers to see them close up through a live camera feed and spot the birds using a high-powered telescope in an Osprey Watch session – every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday from the 19th April through to mid-August.
Out at the coast, April is a good time to spot seabirds such as eider ducks, razorbills, guillemots and kittiwakes. Coquet Island is a dedicated RSPB Seabird Sanctuary, just a mile off the coast it’s home to 40,000 breeding seabirds. The island isn’t open to the public (birds only!), but you can take a boat tour from the quant seaside town of Amble to see the puffins return for spring.
Storming Castles
Great news for history-lovers, in April Alnwick Castle re-opens for the season. The ancient seat of the Duke of Northumberland, this historic castle dates back to the Norman period and hit the silver screen as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films.
Visitors can look forward to a packed programme of events for April, including falconry displays, jester shows, medieval tile making and cannon firing displays.
Over at pretty Belsay Hall Castle & Gardens, little hands can get creative in the Big Brick Build. Have fun with master builders (and lots of bricks) in the library from the 12th to the 21st of April.
And, in Morpeth, the history of Northumberland will be in full colour for the Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering. A three-day festival taking place from Friday, 25th to Sunday 27th April, the gathering is a celebration of the history, culture and traditions of our unique border county. With concerts, dance, historic re-enactments and so much more – it’s a fantastic opportunity to discover the wild magic of Northumberland.
April in Northumberland is the perfect time to visit. And however you fill your days, our self-catering stable suites offer a haven of relaxation. With space for up to 8 guests, pet—friendly options and luxury touches at every turn, it’s your 5 star base for a 5 star April in the country.
