The North Pennines - England's last true wilderness - spans over 2,000 square kilometres of moorland, river valleys and market towns straddling Cumbria, County Durham and Northumberland. For families, this region offers a rare combination of outdoor adventure and historic depth, from Hadrian's Wall country in the east to the Eden Valley in the west. This guide covers 6 family-friendly hotels across Hexham, Appleby and Corbridge, giving you the facts you need to book with confidence.
What It's Like Staying in the North Pennines
The North Pennines is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is one of the quietest corners of northern England - there are no motorways crossing the region, so travel between towns relies on A-roads that can add time to journeys but reward with scenery. Families who come here are typically self-reliant explorers: hikers, cyclists, anglers and history lovers who want space rather than resort amenities. Hexham and Appleby function as the most practical bases, each with a train station, a supermarket and a cluster of independent cafés, making daily logistics manageable even with young children.
Crowd pressure is minimal compared to the Lake District, which sits directly to the west and absorbs the bulk of summer tourism. Around 40% fewer overnight visitors pass through the North Pennines than through comparable AONB destinations, meaning availability at family properties is rarely a crisis outside of school holiday peaks in late July and August.
Pros:
- Exceptionally low visitor density - children can roam freely at major sites like High Force Waterfall and Hadrian's Wall without battling crowds
- Direct rail access into Newcastle from both Hexham and Corbridge makes day trips to urban attractions viable without a car
- Properties here consistently offer free parking, a genuine practical benefit for families travelling with luggage and equipment
Cons:
- Limited choice of family-oriented restaurants after 8pm in smaller villages - self-catering flexibility or early dining is essential
- Mobile signal is patchy across large stretches of moorland, which complicates navigation without offline maps downloaded in advance
- Public transport between towns within the region is sparse, making a car close to essential for families wanting to cover multiple areas
Why Choose Family-Friendly Hotels in the North Pennines
Family-friendly hotels in the North Pennines tend to be characterful independent inns and B&Bs rather than chain properties, which means room configurations are varied and often include genuine family rooms rather than just twin-bed setups. Prices are measurably lower than equivalent properties in the Lake District or the Yorkshire Dales - a family room with breakfast in this region typically costs around 30% less than a comparable booking in Windermere during the same period. The trade-off is that facilities like swimming pools, kids' clubs and on-site entertainment are largely absent; the activity offer here is entirely outdoors and landscape-driven.
What these hotels do deliver is character, space and proximity to walking trails, rivers and castles that make for genuinely memorable family trips. Several properties reviewed here sit within a short drive of the Pennine Way, Hadrian's Wall and the Settle-Carlisle railway, which are the three anchor experiences that bring most families to this region. Breakfast is a consistent strength across North Pennines family hotels, with multiple properties earning specific recognition for full English options sourced locally.
Pros:
- Family rooms available across multiple properties, with some options including stone cottages for larger groups or those wanting self-contained space
- Free parking is standard across all reviewed hotels - a significant cost saving over multi-day stays compared to urban alternatives
- Breakfast quality is notably high, with several properties rated exceptional or superb, reducing the daily cost and logistics of feeding children before outdoor activity days
Cons:
- No on-site pools, kids' clubs or structured children's entertainment at any of the reviewed properties - families need to self-programme activity
- Some properties are small and book out quickly during the school summer holidays, limiting last-minute flexibility in peak season
- Evening dining options are limited to on-site restaurants or a short drive - not suitable for families wanting varied restaurant choice within walking distance
Practical Booking & Area Strategy for North Pennines
For families using the North Pennines as a base, Hexham is the most strategically positioned town: it sits on the Newcastle-Carlisle rail line, has a twice-hourly train service into Newcastle (journey time around 40 minutes), and sits within 10 minutes' drive of Hadrian's Wall, the Chesters Roman Fort and the Allen Valleys. Appleby-in-Westmorland, on the Settle-Carlisle railway, is the better base for families prioritising the Eden Valley, Brough Castle and access to the eastern Lake District fringes. Corbridge, a quieter village 5km east of Hexham, suits families who want a slower pace and proximity to Corbridge Roman Town without the town-centre bustle.
Key family attractions in the region include High Force Waterfall near Middleton-in-Teesdale, the Killhope Lead Mining Museum, Hadrian's Wall and its associated Roman forts (Vindolanda, Chesters, Housesteads), and the Pennine Way long-distance path. Book at least 8 weeks ahead for July and August stays, particularly for properties with limited family room inventory such as Appleby Castle. For shoulder season visits in May, June or September, availability is generally good and rates are noticeably lower, with the added benefit of better walking conditions and longer daylight hours.
Best Value Family Stays
These properties offer strong family credentials at accessible price points, with free parking, family rooms and breakfast included or available - practical priorities for multi-day family trips in the North Pennines.
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1. Thornley House
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Check-infrom 15:00 until 22:00Check-outfrom 10:00 until 12:00Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
from£ 128
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2. Sandfordarms
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Check-infrom 15:00 until 21:00Check-outfrom 08:00 until 10:00Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
from£ 113
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3. The County Hotel
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Check-infrom 14:00 until 23:30Check-outuntil 11:00Hurry – almost gone at this price!
from£ 107
Best Premium Family Stays
These properties offer a more distinctive or elevated family experience - from a genuine medieval castle stay to a VisitBritain-rated coaching inn - suited to families who want their accommodation to be part of the trip's highlight, not just a functional base.
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1. Appleby Castle
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Check-infrom 15:00 until 23:00Check-outfrom 07:00 until 10:00Hurry – almost gone at this price!
from£ 127
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2. Royal Oak Appleby
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Check-infrom 15:00 until 22:00Check-outfrom 08:00 until 11:00Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
from£ 93
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6. The Angel Of Corbridge Limited
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Check-infrom 15:00 until 21:00Check-outuntil 10:00Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
from£ 128
Smart Travel & Timing Advice for North Pennines
The North Pennines has a clear seasonal rhythm for family travel. Late May and early June offer the best combination of value and conditions: school-holiday crowds are absent, the moorland is transitioning into full colour, and room rates at properties like Appleby Castle and The County Hotel can be noticeably lower than their July peak. The region's upland weather is genuinely unpredictable, so waterproofs are non-negotiable regardless of season - even August days can turn quickly at elevation.
July and August represent peak demand, particularly in Appleby where the historic Appleby Horse Fair (held in early June) draws large crowds to the town and surrounding accommodation fills weeks in advance. For families targeting the horse fair or combining a visit with school summer holidays, booking around 8 weeks ahead is the minimum safe window for properties with limited family room stock. September is underrated for family visits: children's holiday crowds have cleared, the heather moorland is at its best visually, and the Settle-Carlisle railway journey is at peak scenic value. A stay of 3 nights minimum is recommended to justify the travel time to the region and to cover the key sites - Hadrian's Wall, High Force and at least one Eden Valley town - without feeling rushed.
