20 Attractions to Explore Near Aydon Castle

Corbridge was once a bustling town and supply base where Romans and civilians would pick up food and provisions. It remained a vibrant community right up until the end of Roman Britain in the early years of the 5th century. Corbridge was initially the site of a series of important forts. But after Hadrian's Wall was fully commissioned it developed into a prosperous town, a tempting leave-centre for off-duty Wall garrisons.

Hexham Abbey is a majestic Grade I listed place of Christian worship dedicated to St Andrew, in the town of Hexham, Northumberland, in Northeast England. Originally built in AD 674, the Abbey was built up during the 12th century into its current form, with additions around the turn of the 20th century. Since the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1537, the Abbey has been the parish church of Hexham.

The Hexham Old Gaol is in the town of Hexham, Northumberland, England. It is reputed to be the oldest purpose-built prison in England. The gaol was built under the order of Margot and William Melton, the Archbishop of York, in 1330–33. It held prisoners from Hexhamshire and also, in the 16th century, from the English Middle March, before their trial in the Moothall Court Room nearby.

Cherryburn is a cottage in Mickley, Northumberland, England, which was the birthplace of Thomas Bewick, an English wood engraver and ornithologist. The cottage, its adjacent farmhouse and large grounds, have been managed by the National Trust since 1991 when they took over responsibility for the site from the Bewick Birthplace Trust.Cherryburn is now open to the public 7 days a week between February and November.

Prudhoe Castle is a Norman castle, which was for a long time involved in the border wars between England and Scotland. It was built by the de Umfraville family: the Norman Sir Robert de Umfraville was granted the freedom of Redesdale by William the Conqueror. For much of its history the castle was owned by the Percy family. It is now run by English Heritage. The castle is unique in being the only medieval defensive fortification in the whole of Northumbria to avoid capture by the Scots.

Chesters Roman Fort is the most complete Roman cavalry fort in Britain - wander around the unusually well-preserved baths and steam room, and the officers' quarters.Spend a day out wandering around the unusually well-preserved baths and steam room, and the officers' quarters. You'll find hundreds of ancient artefacts beautifully displayed with e-readers to guide you around the John Clayton museum.

Pow Hill is set in moorland overlooking the Derwent Reservoir. The word Pow comes from Old English and means ‘slow-moving stream’ which refers to the waterlogged boggy area in the north of the site. Rain falling on the surrounding moors is absorbed into the peaty ground. Water then seeps downhill into basins and shallow valleys, creating bogs. Conserved for its special wildlife interest, the area is home to goldcrests, coal tits, roe deer and red squirrels.

Belsay Castle is a 14th-century medieval castle situated at Belsay, Northumberland, England. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade I listed building. The main structure, a substantial three-storey rectangular pele tower with rounded turrets and battlements, was constructed about 1370, and was the home of the Middleton family. In 1614 Thomas Middleton built a new manor house attached to the tower.

Derwent Reservoir is a reservoir on the River Derwent, on the border between County Durham and Northumberland, in England. It is west of Consett. It is one of the biggest inland waters in England. It also hosts a sailing club, which holds many events throughout the year, including windsurfing, sailing, running, and triathlons. The area around the reservoir hosts the annual Tour of the Reservoir cycle race.

Tyne Riverside Country Park is a popular country park for outdoor recreation and sports – great for walking , cycling and horse riding with a large network for footpaths and public rights of way including Hadrian's Way, which links up with Hadrian's Wall National Trail and the Wylam Waggonway. The park has a wide range of wildlife habitats and is an ideal place to watch birds and butterflies.

Derwentcote is the earliest and most complete steel-making furnace in Britain which was built in the 1720s. It is part of the Land of Oak and Iron project, aiming to improve information and access to local heritage in the Derwent Valley. It is a low rectangular stone building with a large conical chimney near one end. The structure provided storage areas for raw materials, for the finished steel output, and space for the actual furnace within the chimney.

Bolam Lake Country Park is located near Bolam, Northumberland. The lake was constructed c.1817 for Lord Decies of Bolam. John Dobson was commissioned to lay out the grounds in 1816, including the 25-acre artificial lake and woodland. Take a leisurely stroll around the lake or explore the woodland. Bring a picnic and enjoy a summer's day with the family or explore on your own and discover the wildlife which makes Bolam Lake so special, including red squirrel, roe deer, great spotted woodpecker, a

A beautiful park, which was located in the Blackhill conservation area, it was laid out on reclaimed land by the Consett Iron Company and gifted to the community in 1891. There are rolling expanses of cultivated lawns, decorative borders and beds interspersed with woodland areas providing a picturesque link between Consett town centre and Blackhill and also there is the original Victorian Fountain and a recreated Victorian-style bandstand on which colliery brass bands perform through the summer,

Kirkley Hall is a 17th-century historic country mansion and Grade II listed building in Northumberland, England. The estate is over 190 acres and adjoins the River Blyth at Kirkley. It zoological garden has over one hundred species of animals including ring tailed and ruff lemurs, meerkats, coatis, marmosets, capybara, kookaburra, wallaby and a wide range of domestic, exotic and avian species including our petting barn.

Northumberland College Zoo at Kirkley Hall is home to over 150 species of animals set in over 400 acres of beautiful Northumberland countryside. There are river and forest trails around the grounds as well as an activity centre for children and adults with treetop ropes, rickety bride crossings, a leap of faith and a zip wire that cuts through the air at over 20 miles per hour.

Thornley Woodlands Centre is within the ancient woodlands of the Derwent Valley that are home to many birds including green and great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, and sparrow hawks. An observation hide is located within the woods with keys available for purchase from the centre. Walking routes from the centre are clearly marked including a circular route that takes in a number of sculptures carved from trees stumps including an otter and a red kite.

Gibside Estate is situated on the steep, southern slopes of the Derwent Valley. It is now a National Trust property. Gibside Hall, the main house on the estate, is now a shell, although the property is most famous for its chapel. The stables, walled garden, Column to Liberty and Banqueting House are also intact.

This sculpture consists of two measuring instruments; a theodolite and an engineer's level, reproduced twenty times life size, standing approximately six metres tall. Made from stainless steel and supported on animal feet, this work is visible for many miles and stands as a monument to the history of the area and a prominent mile marker for the C2C cycle route. Terris Novalis is situated on the Coast to Coast cycle path which means it has relatively easy access for cyclists or those walking the

Allen Banks and Staward Gorge make up the largest area of ancient semi-natural woodland in Northumberland. This wilderness garden was created by Susan Davidson who lived at nearby Ridley Hall in the 19th century. The property has been designated a site of special scientific interest for its rich flora and fauna. There is a large suspension bridge which has been ruined by the flooding of January 2005.

The Waskerley Way is a 16km route running from Parkhead Station above Stanhope in Weardale to Lydgetts Junction. An entirely off road route using the National Cycle Network, suitable for mountain, hybrid or cross bikes from the heart of Newcastle along the Tyne and Derwent valleys and then the Waskerley Way right on the cusp of the Pennines.