Uncovering Northumberland’s Hidden Gems with Roots.Northumberland

The inspiration behind roots.

The idea for roots.northumberland didn’t just spring up overnight—it was born out of a deep-seated need, experienced firsthand by a local small business owner. “One of the things I used to hear (and still do) is, ‘We had no idea you were here!’”, said founder George Robertson. This frustration sparked the first flicker of inspiration for roots.—a desire to create a network for businesses that might otherwise fly under the radar.

But there’s another layer to roots.’ origin story. A chance encounter with a colleague, who pointed out an ancient etching on a door the founder had walked past countless times, revealed a fascinating piece of local folklore. These faint concentric circles, known as “daisy chains,” were etched to ward off evil spirits, a tradition rooted in the superstitions of church and farm workers. This discovery sparked the idea to include a section in roots. dedicated to local history, mythology, and landmarks – the hidden parts of the map that tell the untold stories of Northumberland.

Bridging the gap for short-stay visitors

Today’s visitors to Northumberland often don’t have the luxury of time. With the rise of short stays and day trips, people are keen to maximise their experience but may struggle to uncover all that the region has to offer. Traditional online searches tend to highlight the well-known attractions, potentially causing visitors to miss out on the more unique experiences that could resonate deeply with them.

This is where roots.northumberland comes in. The portal is designed to help users put a bit of planning into their trips, ensuring that they can make the most of their time in this vast and varied county. Whether it’s finding the perfect indie coffee shop, a lesser-known walking trail, or a hidden historical gem, roots. aims to make the search both easy and enjoyable.

Get involved and get discovered

roots.northumberland is still in its early stages, but its potential is undeniable. The team behind it is eager to hear from small businesses that feel they have something special to offer. Adding your business to the roots. map is simple and free – all that’s required is a brief description, including location, operating hours, and that one unique thing that sets you apart. Just send the details to [email protected], and you could find your business on the map, reaching new audiences and helping to build a stronger local network.

Explore the maps

If you’re curious to see what roots.northumberland has to offer so far, check out their Linktree via their Instagram bio @roots.northumberland. Currently, there are three maps available: an Embleton Minimap, reflecting the area where the project is based; a Mythology Map, filled with local legends and lore; and a map of public loos in North Northumberland – because sometimes, knowing where the nearest toilet is can be the most essential information of all…