The Area
Northumberland is often referred to as "England's last wilderness" offering miles and miles of beautiful unspoiled countryside and beaches with golden sands which stretch as far as the eye can see.
Tosson Tower makes an ideal base from which to explore the many attractions this beautiful part of the world offers. And don't forget - we are open all the year round - It's equally beautiful in the winter too!
December 2013 saw the designation of the largest area of protected dark sky in Europe in the form of the Northumberland Dark Sky Park. Centred around the Northumberland National Park, the designation offers protection to around 580 square miles of the night sky from light pollution. Visitors to Tosson Tower have always been treated to spectacular views of the Milky Way, the constellations and even the Andromeda Galaxy, this designation will now protect it for generations to come, the observatory at Kielder is a fantastic venue to find out more about our dark skies.
From coast to country, history is all around you - from the mysterious "Cup & Ring" marks carved into the rocks in Iron Age times in the hills just above Tosson Tower Farm, to the highest number of castles and fortified houses in England and not forgetting the World Heritage Centre of Hadrian's Wall - once the most northern boundary of the Roman Empire.
Tosson Tower is the remains of a fortified Pele Tower - a defensive structure built in medieval times to defend against the bands of raiders who patrolled the "Debatable Lands" of the borders.
Castles are dotted up and down the coastline (all open to visitors) and are well worth a trip. From Lindisfarne on Holy Island, the birthplace of Christianity in the British Isles. The romantic cliff-top ruins of Dunstanburgh. Magnificent Bamburgh with it's very own dragon legend! And not forgetting Alnwick, ancestral home to the Duke of Northumberland.
Other regional attractions include Cragside House and Gardens - The first house in the world to be powered by hydro-electricity. It's hard to imagine that such a beautiful, rural location was the first place in the world to be lit by electric light! Cragside is open seasonally - check out times etc. here.
The market town of Alnwick is just a few miles to the east. A thriving shopping area with a cinema & theatre, art galleries and a good selection of restaurants. Alnwick is also famous for The Alnwick Garden - a multi-million pound project spearheaded by the Duchess of Northumberland and with a wide range of things to see and do. It's a full day out you'll not forget!
