Removals to Northumberland

Alnwich Castle, Northumberland

The most northerly county in England, Northumberland is famous for its unspoilt landscapes, ranging from the North Pennines to its North Sea coastline. Anyone preparing for removals to Northumberland will be looking for house moving services that are knowledgeable about the area. Hamiltons has arranged many removals here from other parts of the UK, and can organise your move to Blyth, Ashington, Bedlington, Cramlington, Alnwick, Morpeth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Hexham, Ponteland, Prudhoe or any other location in the county.

Moving to Northumberland
Northumberland lies in North East England, sharing borders with County Durham, Cumbria and Tyne and Wear as well as Scotland. Almost a quarter of the county lies within the Northumberland National Park, stretching up to the border with Scotland, which includes the Cheviot Hills and part of the Kielder Forest. Its population is over 316,000, a figure which is projected to rise to more than 323,000 over the next decade. One of the major draws for people moving to Northumberland is the high quality of life. Another reason to move here is for employment, either to work locally or to commute into nearby centres, while many decide to move to the area on retirement.

Quality of Life: Northumberland towns and villages are frequently acclaimed for their high quality of life, because they are set amid spectacular countryside, with affordable property prices compared to many other areas. A low crime rate is another attraction, with the county being one of the safest places in the country. The town of Alnwick was named as the best place to live in Britain in one magazine survey. Although the area feels unspoilt and quiet, it is within easy reach of cultural attractions in Gateshead and Newcastle. 

Work and Commuting: Many people move to Northumberland in order to work in the area, with pharmaceuticals, healthcare and biotechnology all playing important roles in the local economy, as does tourism. A large number of micro-businesses are based in the county. As well as those who work locally, many employees commute by road and rail into Newcastle, Gateshead and other parts of Tyneside.

Retirement: Northumberland's peaceful landscapes and high quality of life make it a popular destination for people looking to move out of cities, such as nearby Newcastle, on retirement. The Northumberland coast, and in particular the seaside resort of Berwick-upon-Tweed, have a large community of over-60s.

Northumberland's Districts in Focus

North Northumberland
Northumberland has more than 30 miles of coastline, and some of its most popular resort areas are in the north of the county, including Berwick-upon-Tweed, the most northerly town in England.  Just three miles from the Scottish border, Berwick has a number of museums and cultural attractions and stages several festivals each year. It also has good transport links via the A1 and the East Coast main line. This area is a popular destination for people moving to Northumberland.

Also on the Northumberland Coast of Outstanding Natural Beauty are the small town of Amble-by-the-Sea and the villages of Alnmouth, Seahouses, known for its boat trips to the wildlife haven of the Farne Islands, and Bamburgh, famed for its castle. Another major tourist attraction in the area is Lindisfarne or Holy Island, off the coast near the Scottish border.

The small market town of Alnwick, which has another important castle (pictured above), lies just a few miles inland on the bank of the River Aln. Many residents of Alnwick commute either to Newcastle or to the historic county town of Morpeth. Other attractive small towns in the area include Wooler and Rothbury, close to the Cheviot Hills and the major National Trust property Cragside. Tourism is important to the economy in this whole area. The Otterburn Army training area covers a large area of the southern Cheviots, with around 30,000 soldiers undergoing training there annually.

West Northumberland
Tourism is also key to the economy in the west of the county, which includes Kielder Forest and Kielder Water, England's largest forest, a draw for walkers and people who enjoy adventure sports. The North Pennines are also in this area, with large stretches of moorland and spectacular views.

The western area of the county is the most sparsely populated part of Northumberland, with its largest town being historic Hexham, which has a population of around 12,000. The town has a racecourse and is close to Hadrian's Wall, one of the country's most famous landmarks. Chipboard production company Egger is a major local employer, with around 500 workers, while botanical brewer Fentimans is also based in the town.

Nearby communities include the villages of Corbridge, Wylam, Haydon Bridge and Bellingham as well as the small town of Haltwhistle. Affluent Ponteland was originally a village, but now has around 10,000 residents after the development of the upmarket Darras Hall housing area. The town of Prudhoe, to the south of Ponteland, is popular with Newcastle commuters, but many people also work locally, with SCA Prudhoe Mill, manufacturers of the Velvet tissue brand, employing hundreds. 

South and East Northumberland
The south-eastern area of the county is the most densely populated area, including three main towns, Blyth, Cramlington and Ashington. Blyth is the largest town in Northumberland, with a population of more than 37,000 people. The coastal town was built on the industries of mining and shipbuilding, but today the port is the main focus of employment, handling more than one-and-a-half million tonnes of cargo annually. A smaller port in this area is Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.

About three miles inland from Newbiggin is Ashington, like Blyth a former mining town. The former colliery site has been developed as Wansbeck Business Park, and there are also several other business and enterprise parks in the area. Northumberland College has its main campus in the town, employing many people locally. Because of its nearness to Newcastle, Ashington is popular with commuters. Also within easy commuting distance of Newcastle is Cramlington, designated a new town in the 1960s. Several pharmaceutical companies have bases here, including Merck Sharp & Dohme. Smaller communities in this area include Bedlington, Seaton Valley and Choppington.   

Are you are considering removals to Northumberland and looking for a national removals company to organise your household or business relocation? If so, get in touch with Hamiltons now to find out more about our services and get a free quote.