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Telegraph
08-07-2025
- Telegraph
A dog-friendly guide to Northumberland
Broad sandy beaches, towering coastal castles and enough Roman heritage to fill an entire summer break, Northumberland makes for a brilliant getaway. But the best part? The dog can enjoy it all, too. 'Welcome to Northumberland: England's Border County' read the signs as you cross into the county on the A1 from the south; a somewhat underwhelming and incredibly modest slogan for what is undeniably one of the most enchanting places to visit in Britain. Without the crowds of more popular destinations such as the Lake District or Cornwall, Northumberland is home to the vast Northumberland National Park and Kielder forest, packed with superb dog-walking trails. It also has beaches so expansive you'll always have a quiet corner to yourself, even in peak summer holidays. This all makes England's most northerly county worth travelling for – no matter how far away you live. Here's what you need to know if you're bringing the dog on holiday. In this guide: Things to do It would be tempting to spend your entire time on the beaches of Northumberland, as this coastline has several stretches of fine sand where dogs are allowed year-round. The likes of Bamburgh, Beadnell Bay and Craster Beach are local favourites. But there's plenty to do here beyond the sand, so get the dog on a lead and explore some of these great sights. Bamburgh Castle Few castles are quite as dramatic as Bamburgh, which sits on sand dunes overlooking a spectacular wide beach below. Originally built in 547CE, several sieges, battles and a little financial ruin paid a toll on this magnificent icon of the Northumberland coast. So, in 1901, the current red sandstone construction was renovated. Walk its ramparts, pose by the mighty guns that point out to the ocean, and mooch in the aviation museum with the dog. Your pooch isn't allowed inside the castle itself, but in peak season, dog sitting is offered by a local rescue charity, so you can leave them with a trusted human outside before heading in to see its magnificent halls.
Telegraph
03-07-2025
- Telegraph
The perfect holiday in Northumberland, England's quietest county
Northumberland 's trump card is that it's England 's least-populated county. All that space, and so few people. And it's not just any old space. Its coastline is an unfolding drama of runway-flat beaches, don't-mess-with-me castles and islands that scream with wildlife. Inland are the sheep-dotted moorlands, quiet valleys and soft rounded hills of the Northumberland National Park which also encloses the huge playground of Kielder Forest and Water. Striding across the south of the county is the mighty frontier of the Roman Empire: Hadrian's Wall. There are market towns and fishing villages, but nothing so brash as cities, bright lights and shopping malls. True, there are grand houses and grand gardens, but often tucked away. Country inns, craft breweries and seafood specialists, plus a growing number of seriously high-end restaurants, tempt appetites. But it's the ease with which peace can be found, among its varied attractions, that gives Northumberland a quiet edge over other regions. For more Northumberland inspiration, see our guides to the region's best hotels, restaurants, pubs, beaches and things to do. In this guide: How to spend the perfect day in Northumberland How to spend the perfect week in Northumberland When to go Where to stay How to get there and how to get around Know before you go How to spend the perfect day Morning Unless Roman history is your passion – in which case, make for Hadrian's Wall – head for the coast to get the best all-round experience. Start a few miles inland, at Alnwick, specifically at Barter Books, one of the country's largest second-hand bookshops (in the former railway station) and a good spot to get a jolly good breakfast, from bacon butties to smashed avocado. Don't linger too long over the bookshelves before walking the 10 minutes to Alnwick Garden. You don't need to be a plant person to enjoy this vast contemporary creation, from its bamboo labyrinth and water cascade to its 3,000-strong rose garden and deliciously deadly poison garden.
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The Independent
02-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
Poll of the day: Should lynx be reintroduced to the British countryside?
Plans to reintroduce the Eurasian lynx to the British countryside are once again gaining momentum, as the government's wildlife chief says he would be 'absolutely delighted' to see the species return during his term. Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, has voiced support for renewed conversations around lynx reintroduction, calling for more public engagement to understand the potential impact on communities, landowners, and wildlife. The comments follow a proposal by the Lynx UK Trust to bring the animals back to Kielder Forest in Northumberland, using individuals rescued from culls in Sweden. Lynx, which have been extinct in Britain for over 1,000 years, are elusive forest-dwellers that prey on deer and rabbits. Conservationists argue they could play a vital role in controlling deer populations, helping restore damaged woodlands and boosting biodiversity. But opposition remains strong in some quarters, particularly among farming groups, with concerns over livestock safety, legal barriers, and public accountability. Readers are already divided on the issue. Templer commented: 'I would imagine sheep farmers in the area are thrilled at the prospect. I also wonder why lynx were hunted to extinction. Maybe there was a reason for that!' Uriba, however, countered: 'In areas where lynx have been reintroduced, like parts of Switzerland, Germany, and Slovenia, predation on livestock is extremely rare. In fact, lynx are more useful than harmful to farmers, as they help control deer populations that damage crops and young trees.' As debate grows over whether Britain should welcome back once-extinct species – and who should decide – we want to know what you think. Should the UK reintroduce animals like the lynx as part of a wider nature recovery strategy? Or are the risks and uncertainties still too great?
The Independent
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
The big cat that could make a comeback in Britain
Wildlife experts propose reintroducing lynx to the UK as a solution for managing the overpopulated deer population, which impacts forest regeneration. Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, expressed enthusiasm for the return of lynx to Britain, acknowledging the polarised debate surrounding the issue. Lynx UK Trust submitted a draft application for a trial reintroduction of lynx, rescued from Sweden, into Kielder Forest, Northumberland. Natural England officials have indicated that the trial cannot proceed due to current Defra rules under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, which lists lynx. Lynx UK Trust's chief executive, Paul O'Donoghue, plans to launch a court challenge if the government fails to review their application for a trial release licence.
Telegraph
30-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Release lynx into wild, says Natural England chief
The boss of Natural England has said he would be 'delighted' if lynx were released into the wild. Tony Juniper, who heads up the body responsible for conservation, said he would be 'absolutely delighted' if the animals could be rewilded in England before the end of his two year term. He has previously said that the wildcats could help control deer populations but warned it was important to consider the science and current ecosystems. Farmers and landowners fear the wildcats will attack livestock, game and walkers, but some campaigners claim they can help keep deer and rabbit numbers under control. His intervention comes as The Lynx UK Trust has drawn up an initial application asking for the animals to be returned to Kielder Forest in Northumberland. Mr Juniper, who was reappointed as chair of Natural England for the third time in March, told The Guardian rewilding the animals 'should be looked at and I know people are looking at it. 'It is still quite polarised and some of these things will remain divided no matter how much effort you put in, but we need more engagement to understand how communities that would be living with these animals would be able to continue with what they do. 'There are in some places still serious doubts about that.' Several groups are campaigning to bring back the animals to help keep deer and rabbit numbers under control, but farmers and landowners are worried that the wildcats will attack livestock, game and walkers. 'Significant challenges' Lynx are currently listed on the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, which means they cannot be released unless in a secure enclosure. The government said it was aware of projects to assess the feasibility of lynx reintroduction in England but warned that the predators present 'significant challenges' and that there was currently not enough evidence to support a release. The application to rewild the lynx in Kielder is currently not being considered by Natural England, the government said. A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said: 'This government is absolutely committed to restoring and protecting nature and we support species reintroductions where there are clear benefits for nature, people and the environment. 'We will continue to work with Natural England on species reintroductions in England.' Mr Juniper said Natural England was working with communities who would be affected by the introduction. Campaigners are also hoping to rewild lynx in the Cairngorms in Scotland and have been consulting with farmers about the plan. In January, four lynx were illegally released into the Cairngorms, which led to the death of one of the animals during the operation to recapture the creatures. It is not clear where the lynx came from, although some have suggested that rewilding groups may have attempted to introduce the animals by stealth. Damage they cause At the time, the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) said those who released the animals had given no thought to the welfare of the lynx or the wider rural community. The lynx was once native to the British Isles but the last British lynx was hunted to extinction for its fur around 700AD. The European lynx also disappeared from the UK around 1,000 years ago and by the 1950s there were only 700 left in Europe. Calls for the introduction of lynx follow successful breeding programmes in countries such as Germany, France and Switzerland which have seen numbers rise to around 18,000. However, in Sweden, the government recently introduced a cull of lynx to limit the damage they cause. The Lynx UK Trust is hoping that rescued animals from the cull could be rewilded in England.
