Northumberland takes its name from the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria and is one of the wildest and most beautiful of Englands counties. Other regions may have more dramatic mountains or more gentle and picturesque countryside but few have such large unspoilt areas. Northumberland is the least densely populated County in England. It has its own National Park, its own flag, its own tartan and its own dialect with more castles open to the public than any other county - a relic of the long and bloody conflicts fought against the Scots. The Romans were the first to try to cut off the Scottish barbarians by building Hadrians Wall - much of its 73 mile length still remains. Pay a visit to the town of Hexham, which still holds the title of England’s favourite market town, then head north to Alnwick which is dominated by its medieval castle and home to the best second-hand bookshop in the world – Barter Books. In the far north lies Berwick-upon-Tweed close to the Scottish Border where you can find a wide range of things to do Or you might wish to make a visit to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and Bamburgh Castle.