Ashington brings together the history of mining, art, places of remembrance and experiences in nature. In the early 19th century, the town developed from an area shaped by agriculture; the opening of the colliery in 1867 marked the beginning of Ashington’s development into a mining village. Today, this history can be found in the Ashington Group, former colliery buildings and places that commemorate miners.
Mining History and Art
The Ashington Group has a permanent gallery in the Cutter Building at Woodhorn Museum, established in 2006. Many historic buildings at Woodhorn Colliery are open for visitors to explore. The Pitmen Painters were miners from Ashington who signed up for art classes in 1934. The museum, colliery buildings and art history offer different ways to discover how the town has changed.
The Ashington Memorial Garden is home to the “Unknown Soldier” sculpture, created by Tom Maley in 2001. The Ashington Colliery Heritage Trail also explores the history of mining: it was created on the former colliery site, now occupied by Wansbeck Business Park.
The Northumberland Miners’ Picnic is a tradition that has celebrated the region’s mining heritage for generations. On 13 June 2026, a memorial service was held at Woodhorn Museum as a key part of the event.
Woodland, Lake and Nature Reserve
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Country Park is a nature reserve with woodland paths and a scenic lake. The 16-hectare lake is suitable for windsurfing and canoeing. A cycling link runs from Ashington to the park: the Coast and Castles Cycle Route leads there; check route conditions before setting off.
A colony of red squirrels lives in Ashington Community Woodland. The Ashington Community Woodland parkrun takes place there every Saturday morning at 9am as a free community event. If you would prefer to get involved in conservation work, the Friends of Ashington Community Woods can help you find volunteering opportunities.
The Miners’ Memorial Meadow Project focused on wildflower meadows in remembrance of miners of the First World War. Three grassland areas were also created to support pollinators. This project brings remembrance and conservation together in a practical way.
Tours and Getting There
The Northumberland Line provides a passenger connection between Ashington and Newcastle. Check current service information before travelling. The Ashington Local Heroes Walking Tour starts and ends at Ashington station, takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and visits a statue of Jack Charlton. Its clearly stated start and end points and approximate duration make it easy to factor the tour into your plans.
There are also two specific options to consider when planning a cycling trip: Woodhorn Museum is directly on the C1 National Cycle Route, while the Coast and Castles Cycle Route leads from Ashington to Queen Elizabeth II Country Park. These route connections offer different ways to explore the town and its surroundings.
More Activities and Local Products
Ashington PlayZone is an outdoor sports and activity area with an all-weather facility that is open to everyone. Football and a range of multi-sport activities are available there. This adds a dedicated option for sport and exercise to the cultural and scenic attractions.
Market day in Ashington is Tuesday. Traders sell a range of traditional local products; check the details before your visit, as market arrangements may change.
Choose the Right Focus
The cultural and scenic attractions offer different starting points for planning your trip; choose your hotel based on the activities that matter most to you.
Discover more destinations: Chathill, Carham, Newton-on-the-Moor, Greenhead, Alwinton, Mickley, Felton, Holburn Village.
For the wider travel guide: Northumberland.
