A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia


Northumberlandia is close to where we live in Cramlington and somewhere we visit a couple of times each year. It is a fantastic FREE place to visit for a walk and they run various events throughout the year. 

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia

This post is in two parts, the first part provides information about upcoming events at Northumberlandia and the second part of this post features information about walking around and visiting Northumberlandia (based on a trip in January 2021. 

Northumberlandia Events 
  • Enchanted Woodland Trail 

    This event runs from Sunday 29 May - Sunday 5 June. It is recommended for ages 3-11. Download the trail to your phone here (costs £3). 

    This trail will share stories and characters of the people who live in the woods. Designed to spark imagination aroung the themes of folklore and nature. 

    Drop in between 10am-3:30pm. 

    Dogs on leads welcome and the route is pushchair and wheelchair accessible (there are bark chippings). 

Visiting Northumberlandia 







The cafe is now open daily from 10am-5pm for takeaway. Card payment only and a one-way system is in operation. Toilet facilities are also open. Dogs are welcome on leads. Parking is FREE but donations are welcome (see further down this park for postcode etc....). Sometimes there is a £3 parking charge on event days. 

Current menu (April 2021)

There are various picnic tables and benches dotted through the woodland area which you can use. 






If you include a walk around the Lady of the North, you could easily spend around an hour here. Look out for the diggers in the mine next door if you climb to the top and frogs and toads in the various ponds too. 


Northumberlandia - Location, Public Transport & Parking 


The rest of this post was based on a visit in January 2020, some of these facilities may have changed, pleased check with venue direct. 

Northumberlandia is open daily from dawn-dusk. Admission is FREE but donations are welcome (can be made online or in the donation bucket near the entrance). The cafe/visitor centre/toilets are open from 10am-4pm Thursday-Sunday during the winter months (usually daily in school holidays but double-check before leaving)

Northumberlandia is near Cramlington in Northumberland. Use postcode NE23 8AU. Northumberlandia has a dedicated car park and parking is plentiful & free (donations appreciated - recommended £2 per car payable in the donation bucket near the entrance). There are disabled parking bays and an electric car charging point too.

The nearest train station is Cramlington train station (2.5 miles) and the X22 (Newcastle - Ashington) or X21 (Newcastle-Newbiggin) buses both stop at Beacon Hill Fisher Lane roundabout which has a gate with direct access to the site.

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - donation buckets

Entry from the car park is via a kissing gate. You will see the toilets, visitor centre, cafe and woodland trail before the main Lady of the North site.

Northumberlandia Woodland Trail & Cafe 



The cafe is usually open from 10am-4pm,  Thursday-Sunday  in the winter months and is dog-friendly. It serves hot & cold drinks, ice creams and snacks at reasonable prices. They use Ringtons coffee and a cup will set you back £1.80. You can order to take away too.

Cafe Menu (prices checked January 2020)

  • Coffee £1.80 
  • Squash 50p
  • Cans of pop £1
  • Water £1 
  • Fentimans £2
  • Sanpellegrino £2
  • Scones £2
  • Toast & Jam £1.60
  • Crumpets/Teacakes £1.60 
  • Sandwiches £3.50 
  • Soup & Bread Roll £3.50 
  • Toasties £4.50 
  • Flatbreads £4



A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - woodland trail

You will find toilets (including  a disabled toilet & baby changing facilities) on the side of the building and there is lots of information with the history of the site and details of any wildlife you may spot.

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - cafe and toilets

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - toilets

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - cafe outdoor seating

Before you reach the main Lady of the North there is a small woodland trail which is worth a look if you are visiting with children.

You will find wooden sculptures, fairy doors, a story-telling area, brass rubbings, bird-feeding area and viewing, a mini beast mansion and more.

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - woodland walk map

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - brass rubbings

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - walking map

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - toadstool sculpture


 The History of Northumberlandia 


Northumberlandia has such a unique and interesting history. The idea originated in 2004 when the Blagdon Estate & Banks Group were applying for permission to dig for coal and clay (for bricks) on farmland.

The project is restoration first - the land used for Northumberlandia was donated by the owners and will provide a lasting legacy and unique art form for the community to enjoy whilst the mine is operational (and for many generations beyond). Northumberlandia cost £3 million which was privately funded by Banks Group and Blagdon Estate.

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - birds eye view
Credit - Northumberlandia


In 2010, 1.5 million tonnes of rock and clay was transported from Shotton mine next door and Northumberlandia was constructed. Northumberlandia was designed by architect Charles Jencks with inspiration taken from the Cheviot Hills which can be seen in the distance.

If you look at Northumberlandia as a whole, you will recognise the female form but as you walk around the winding paths, you may only pick out certain human features or not even recognise a human form at all.

Northumberlandia is the worlds largest human landform sculpture. She was officially opened in August 2012 by Princess Anne.  The idea is that Northumberlandia is a living landscape which will naturally change with the seasons and as she matures.

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - pathway


Walking around Northumberlandia 


Northumberlandia is set in 46 acres of public park and features over 4 miles of footpaths around the sculpture. You can walk as far or little as you like. You can keep to flat paths around the outskirts or climb right to the top of her head - the choice is yours. 

The lady is 100 ft high at her tallest point. The climb isn't too strenuous and should be manageable for a (supervised) 2 year old.

During our last visit, there were steps up to the very last bit at the top due to uneven/unsafe surfaces. The rest of the site is step-free. 

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - muddy paths



Top Tips for Visiting Northumberlandia


  • Northumberlandia can get muddy - wear appropriate clothing and footwear 
  • Dogs on leads are welcome
  • There are a few picnic tables 
  • Children should be supervised at all times - there is open water and steep hills on site
  • Northumberlandia is accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs but prepare to get muddy 
  • The site is FREE to visit but donations are welcome (recommended £2 per car)
  • No bikes allowed
  • No horses allowed


A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - open water




A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - climbing to the top



I would highly recommend climbing right to the top of the lady - the views of the countryside are just gorgeous. The climb isn't too bad at all and looks a lot worse than it is. When Jack was a toddler we used to love climbing up there and watching the trucks at work in the mine below - he thought it was great and the views are even better for transport enthusiasts. You can spot the Cheviot hills on a clear day and the North Sea too.

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - view of mine

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - steps to top



A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - view of North Sea from top



We love the unique sundial at the top.....

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - sun dial at the top





A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - shotton surface mine view and information

A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia - shotton surface mine

We normally spend 30 minutes - 1 hour at Northumberlandia. If you would like to make a day of it, here are a few ideas for other things to do in the area (click on the blue links for further info):

If you are looking for more ideas for family walks, click here to read 50+ Family Walks & Trails across North East England.  


Find out more about Northumberlandia here:  https://www.northumberlandia.com/


If you have enjoyed this post and found it useful, here are some ways you can say thanks and support North East Family Fun: 

1 - Click here to sign up to our FREE monthly guide to what's on. This monthly email will feature lots of ideas for things to do for the month ahead plus exclusive deals. 

2 - Join our  Days Out Facebook Group here which includes lots of ideas for things to do - you can post your own recommendations too. 


4 - Share this post with your friends 

5 - Follow North East Family Fun on the following platforms :
Thank you for your support as always. 

Please follow social distancing rules & Government guidelines , wash hands regularly and use alcohol hand gel (especially before eating), respect the local area. leave no trace, take litter home, park responsibly and if somewhere is busy on arrival, please consider leaving and returning at a later date. If you have any Coronavirus symptoms, please stay at home and follow NHS advice. 

Always check updated opening hours / protocols / parking advice and charges with venues direct before setting off as things may have changed since this post was published. 

 

Pin me for later
A Guide to Visiting Northumberlandia


Share:

2 comments

  1. It's also a great place for your wedding photos ;)

    Wow you went on such a beautiful clear day - those views! I love Northumberlandia, it's so unique - I was really lucky once and got to see it from an aeroplane, not sure if that's the usual flight path, I think maybe we were just circling coming into land because I've not seen it since!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Sam, thanks for the post. It is very helpful. We are planning a trip in March so definitely will use it for idea. Your photos look great. My photos tend to look very poor quality on the website and are not as nice/sharp as the original despite me posting the large size photos. Have you come across this problem before and do you have any tips for it?

    ReplyDelete

© North East Family Fun | All rights reserved.
Blogger Template Designed by pipdig