Blackhope Cottage

A modest stone cottage sits tucked into the Northumberland landscape near Hexham, its weathered walls telling the story of Border life centuries back. Blackhope Cottage is one of those places that stops you in your tracks not because it's grand, but because it's genuinely old - we're talking medieval foundations here, which is properly significant for a domestic building.

The cottage itself is small, the kind of place where you can walk round it in five minutes and soak up the atmosphere. What makes it worth the detour is the sheer age of the thing and the glimpse it gives you into how people actually lived during the turbulent Border reivers era. If you're into social history rather than stately homes, you'll find this far more compelling than another castle tour.

It works brilliantly if you're camped at Kielder Campsite or Landal Kielder Waterside - both are within striking distance - and you fancy a gentle afternoon exploring beyond the water-based activities. The cottage sits in moorland that's quite beautiful in a austere sort of way. Families with older kids who aren't exhausted by museum visits will get something from it, but younger children might struggle with the lack of interactive elements. Walkers passing through the area should absolutely make time for it.

Contact Hexham's visitor information to check current access before you head out, as opening arrangements can be patchy for smaller heritage sites. It's the kind of place that rewards turning up, but not worth a wasted trip.