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Hertz car rental in Northumberland

Hire a car in Northumberland, the most northerly county in the country, to explore the wild beaches, castles and Roman ruins of Northern England. Home to charming towns and villages such as Alnwick and Alnmouth, the former Anglo-Saxon kingdom is untamed and enchanting.

Adventure lovers and those looking for scenic walks can visit the Northumberland National Park and Kielder Forest Park. While there’s also a collection of amazingly preserved medieval structures, including Alnwick Castle and Bamburgh Castle.

We have pick-up locations across the county, including at Newcastle Airport and Newcastle Central Station. Northumberland is just two hours south of Edinburgh and the bright lights of Newcastle are also right on the doorstep.

There are many natural beauty spots to visit– and just as many hire cars to reach them in. Choose from 4x4s for rural adventures or compact hatchbacks for navigating cobblestone roads when you choose car hire in Northumberland with Hertz.

Driving in and around Northumberland

Main roads and motorways in Northumberland

The A1 connects London with Edinburgh, running through Newcastle, Morpeth, Felton, Alnwick and Berwick-upon-Tweed en route.
The A697 connects Morpeth to the A68 at Oxton, near Edinburgh, and is used as an A1 alternative to travel from Northumberland to Scotland.
The A696 connects Otterburn, close to Northumberland National Park, to Newcastle upon Tyne. It joins the A68 and journeys through Northumberland National Park.

How to get to the Northumberland Coast AONB

Beadnell Bay Beach (Beadnell, Chathill NE67 5BL) is set in the centre of the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, found on the county’s eastern edge.

From the north – take the A1 south from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Belford, then exit left onto B1340, which passes Bamburgh Castle (NE69 76F). Harbour Road leads you to spectacular views at Beadnell Bay Beach.
From the south – join the A1 near Newcastle and exit right after around 40 minutes to join B1340 near Alnwick, to The Wamses.
From the east – use the B6320, A696 and B6342 to cross rural Northumberland from Kielder Forest. Join the A1 near Northumberland Country Zoo (NE65 9QH), heading north. Make a right onto B6347 to drive towards the dunes.

When to go to Northumberland

In spring, Northumberland’s national parks and nature reserves are in full bloom and the sound of ringed plovers and kittiwakes’ birdsong is common. Spring is a good time to see the annual Lyrids Meteor Shower and visit Alnwick Garden.

Summer brings temperatures in the late teens, which can make for more comfortable camping and visiting of seaside resorts such as Seahouses. While autumn transforms Northumberland into a tapestry of colour. Winter brings a chance of snow – on average, there’s snowfall for three days in January and three days in February.

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A quick guide to Northumberland

Where to hire a car near Northumberland

Newcastle International Airport – right on Tyne and Wear’s border with Northumberland, our airport pick-up location offers convenience for those flying in and is situated close to the A1 for easy onward travel.
Chesnut Street, Darlington – if you’re travelling to Northumberland from the south, hiring a car in the market town of Darlington gets you to Northumberland in just an hour via A1(M).
Carlisle Train Station – transfer from tracks to wheels in the Capital of Cumbria, Carlisle, to enter Northumbria from the west. This route is a great way to reach Hadrian’s Wall and Kielder Forest Park and features incredible scenery along the way.

Best things to see and do in and around Northumberland

Alnwick Castle

NE66 1NQ

For fans of Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, Alnwick Castle is much more than just a castle. This is the magical fortress where the first two Harry Potter movies were filmed. Wander the grounds, try broomstick training or admire the Norman architecture of the UK’s second-largest inhabited castle.

Hadrian’s Wall

Hexham

Stretching an impressive 73 miles across the country, Hadrian’s Wall – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – dates nearly 1,900 years and draws visitors from far and wide who visit Northumberland. For hiking, head to Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail. It’s an 84-mile route which takes you past the Solway salt marshes and Segedunum Roman Fort.

Kielder Forest

Northumberland, England

Northumberland’s Kielder Forest is the largest man-made woodland in England. You can experience amazing walking and cycling routes inside its 250 square miles, as well as catch the Kielder Ospreys gliding around the park, if you’re lucky. Thanks to the region’s dark, clear skies, the Kielder Observatory is one of the best places to try stargazing in Northumberland.

Best places to stay in Northumberland

Langley Castle Hotel

Langley Castle Hotel, Langley, Hexham NE47 5LU

With more castles than any other county, Northumberland has skylines decorated by turrets and towers. For a unique way to soak up the region’s heritage, stay at the Langley Castle Hotel in Hexham. Built in 1350, it’s been restored as a unique hotel that offers modernised rooms, which still hark back to its medieval past, and beautiful grounds to wander during the day.

The Gables Bed & Breakfast

Gables, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 2NR

For a tranquil visit to the countryside, this 1867 former vicar’s residence is perfect. Located between Northumberland National Park and Northumberland Coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the hideaway has storage facilities for fishing tackle and other sporting equipment – ideal if you’re embarking on an adventure break.

The Fishing Boat Inn

14-15 Boulmer Village, Boulmer, Alnwick NE66 3BP

This beachfront self-catering studio can be found just six miles from Alnwick. There’s a pub and restaurant on site and guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi and parking for the hire car. In the upstairs lounge, the views across the North Sea as the waves crash against the shoreline are incredible.