John & Lisa’s Guidebook
City/town information
Voted by Which? as the best seaside destination in the U.K in 2021, Bamburgh cannot be missed, and is home to the hulking Bamburgh Castle and Beach.
The beach is strikingly beautiful and it goes on forever, so you can make your walk as long or as short as you want. Great pubs for eating in Bamburgh too. The Potted Lobster is a good choice, and was featured on The Hairy Bikers Go North episode 6 ‘Northumberland’ in 2021.
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bamburgh
Voted by Which? as the best seaside destination in the U.K in 2021, Bamburgh cannot be missed, and is home to the hulking Bamburgh Castle and Beach.
The beach is strikingly beautiful and it goes on forever, so you can make your walk as long or as short as you want. Great pubs for eating in Bamburgh too. The Potted Lobster is a good choice, and was featured on The Hairy Bikers Go North episode 6 ‘Northumberland’ in 2021.
We always recommend our guests to visit Alnmouth as the beach is stunning, and so is the estuary for a relaxing walk.
So many lovely eating places and boutique coffee shops in Alnmouth, and it is an extremely pretty village to walk around.
At the bottom of the estuary is a very nice kids playground. You will love Alnmouth - guaranteed!
52 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Alnmouth
We always recommend our guests to visit Alnmouth as the beach is stunning, and so is the estuary for a relaxing walk.
So many lovely eating places and boutique coffee shops in Alnmouth, and it is an extremely pretty village to walk around.
At the bottom of the estuary is a very nice kids playground. You will love Alnmouth - guaranteed!
In Alnwick town there is the famous Castle - the Harry Potter Castle where you can book the kids in for Broomstick Training. All the Quidditch scenes in the movies were filmed here. Kids will love it, and the photos they get are fab for them to show their friends.
Also in Alnwick is Barter Books - a second hand bookshop, one of the oldest in the UK and it’s situated in the old Railway Station. Some amazing books in there for both adults and kids.
Just off the A1 on the road into Alnwick you will find the commercial estate that is home to a huge Sainsbury's, M&S Food, Turnbulls Butchers, Starbucks and Homebase - perfect for stocking up the fridge and pantry.
85 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Alnwick
In Alnwick town there is the famous Castle - the Harry Potter Castle where you can book the kids in for Broomstick Training. All the Quidditch scenes in the movies were filmed here. Kids will love it, and the photos they get are fab for them to show their friends.
Also in Alnwick is Barter Books - a second hand bookshop, one of the oldest in the UK and it’s situated in the old Railway Station. Some amazing books in there for both adults and kids.
Just off the A1 on the road into Alnwick you will find the commercial estate that is home to a huge Sainsbury's, M&S Food, Turnbulls Butchers, Starbucks and Homebase - perfect for stocking up the fridge and pantry.
Go to Amble if you can, and book the Puffin Boat Cruise to Coquet Island nearby, which is home to magnificent seal and bird colonies - our guests always say it’s a wonderful day out for the whole family.
There are plenty of restaurants there, and some excellent fish and chip shops too. The Old Boat House is extremely popular (book in advance), and their sister restaurant, The Fish Shack on the Pier is more casual but fabulous on a sunny day to sit outside and enjoy amazing views all the way back to Warkworth Castle. Spirelli’s is a very popular ice cream parlour.
Also in Amble is the Sunday Market which is great for atmosphere and junk shopping There’s also some lovely colourful Beach Pods there selling interesting arts and crafts, including a hut selling Geordie Bangers – probably the best sausages you will ever taste! You can buy them cooked to eat on the spot or take a couple of packs back to the cottage with you.
59 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Amble
Go to Amble if you can, and book the Puffin Boat Cruise to Coquet Island nearby, which is home to magnificent seal and bird colonies - our guests always say it’s a wonderful day out for the whole family.
There are plenty of restaurants there, and some excellent fish and chip shops too. The Old Boat House is extremely popular (book in advance), and their sister restaurant, The Fish Shack on the Pier is more casual but fabulous on a sunny day to sit outside and enjoy amazing views all the way back to Warkworth Castle. Spirelli’s is a very popular ice cream parlour.
Also in Amble is the Sunday Market which is great for atmosphere and junk shopping There’s also some lovely colourful Beach Pods there selling interesting arts and crafts, including a hut selling Geordie Bangers – probably the best sausages you will ever taste! You can buy them cooked to eat on the spot or take a couple of packs back to the cottage with you.
Another fabulous day out is Cragside House at Rothbury - it’s a National Trust Property where electricity was first generated by William Armstrong.
It is an extraordinary Victorian house, set in spectacular gardens and woodland - the wonder of its age! It’s an excellent place to explore for kids and they can learn a lot. There are lovely walks all through the estate, and we love it over there.
Rothbury has a river running through the village which has very scenic walks all along it.
47 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rothbury
Another fabulous day out is Cragside House at Rothbury - it’s a National Trust Property where electricity was first generated by William Armstrong.
It is an extraordinary Victorian house, set in spectacular gardens and woodland - the wonder of its age! It’s an excellent place to explore for kids and they can learn a lot. There are lovely walks all through the estate, and we love it over there.
Rothbury has a river running through the village which has very scenic walks all along it.
Seahouses is a busier seaside town but worth a visit. Neptune’s is the well-known and popular fish shop there. Also excellent for fish & chips is Lewis's Fish restaurant - a family run business that catch and cook fresh fish, crab and lobster. Lewis’s was named in the Top Ten best Fish & Chips restaurants in the U.K by The Times in July 2022.
For something a bit more adventurous, Serenity Boat Tours and Billy Shiel's run trips out to the Farne Islands from Seahouses harbour (near Neptunes), that a lot of our guests have been on and thoroughly enjoyed.
A very family-friendly experience, and usually lots of seals to see on that trip! Trips must be booked in advance due to their popularity.
Also, the 7 mile Beadnell to Seahouses walk was listed in the 'Best Coastal Walks in the U.K' by The Times in 2019.
67 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Seahouses
Seahouses is a busier seaside town but worth a visit. Neptune’s is the well-known and popular fish shop there. Also excellent for fish & chips is Lewis's Fish restaurant - a family run business that catch and cook fresh fish, crab and lobster. Lewis’s was named in the Top Ten best Fish & Chips restaurants in the U.K by The Times in July 2022.
For something a bit more adventurous, Serenity Boat Tours and Billy Shiel's run trips out to the Farne Islands from Seahouses harbour (near Neptunes), that a lot of our guests have been on and thoroughly enjoyed.
A very family-friendly experience, and usually lots of seals to see on that trip! Trips must be booked in advance due to their popularity.
Also, the 7 mile Beadnell to Seahouses walk was listed in the 'Best Coastal Walks in the U.K' by The Times in 2019.
Sightseeing
Lindisfarne - or Holy Island - can be reached by car at low tide to cross the causeway (check tide schedule in advance), and is fabulous to visit. Home to one of the most important centres of early English Christianity since AD635, and then the landing site of multiple Viking Raids starting in AD793.
The ruins of the 12th Century Priory are a must, as is a tour of the Castle (c.1550) a little further walk away - the Castle is a National Trust property, and the view from the top is unmissable. Also check out the old lime kilns on the island.
58 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Holy Island
Lindisfarne - or Holy Island - can be reached by car at low tide to cross the causeway (check tide schedule in advance), and is fabulous to visit. Home to one of the most important centres of early English Christianity since AD635, and then the landing site of multiple Viking Raids starting in AD793.
The ruins of the 12th Century Priory are a must, as is a tour of the Castle (c.1550) a little further walk away - the Castle is a National Trust property, and the view from the top is unmissable. Also check out the old lime kilns on the island.
Food Scene
Carnaby's is a family-friendly venue that serves fabulous breakfasts until 11.30 each day, and it is just across the A1 from the Ellingham turnoff, so very convenient for our guests.
It also has a really good lunch menu and serves homemade cakes, pies, salads etc, including for takeaway. All the pork for the sausage rolls, sausages and pulled pork comes from their very own rare breed pigs less than a mile away!
Plenty of seating indoors and outdoors, and park play toys for the kids. Highly recommended.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Carnaby's Cafe
Carnaby's is a family-friendly venue that serves fabulous breakfasts until 11.30 each day, and it is just across the A1 from the Ellingham turnoff, so very convenient for our guests.
It also has a really good lunch menu and serves homemade cakes, pies, salads etc, including for takeaway. All the pork for the sausage rolls, sausages and pulled pork comes from their very own rare breed pigs less than a mile away!
Plenty of seating indoors and outdoors, and park play toys for the kids. Highly recommended.
If you’re staying at The Old Dairy, this cosy gastropub is practically next door. It is famed for its use of local produce and serves great food in a very authentic, welcoming, and convivial atmosphere. The menu spans a range from traditional pub grub to more sophisticated fare. Very highly rated on Tripadvisor, and our guests continue to recommend the Pack Horse. We suggest you book in advance as it is very popular - especially on weekends.
Pack Horse Inn
If you’re staying at The Old Dairy, this cosy gastropub is practically next door. It is famed for its use of local produce and serves great food in a very authentic, welcoming, and convivial atmosphere. The menu spans a range from traditional pub grub to more sophisticated fare. Very highly rated on Tripadvisor, and our guests continue to recommend the Pack Horse. We suggest you book in advance as it is very popular - especially on weekends.
The Landing is a new addition to Beadnell, and a very welcome one. Situated next to the main carpark opposite the beach. Open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it serves great food in a laid back atmosphere. You can sit inside or outside on the deck - which is lovely on a sunny day!
The Landing, Beadnell Bay
The Landing is a new addition to Beadnell, and a very welcome one. Situated next to the main carpark opposite the beach. Open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it serves great food in a laid back atmosphere. You can sit inside or outside on the deck - which is lovely on a sunny day!
Consejos para la ciudad
No te pierdas
Great Beaches!
For beaches you'll be spoilt for choice as they are all amazing, are never overpopulated, and are within reasonable driving distance.
Beadnell beach is a long, wide sandy marvel, and kids will love it. It is very sheltered, and perfect for kayaking and paddle boarding.
Also within walking distance of Beadnell is Newton-by-the-Sea, which is mostly owned by the National Trust and very picturesque. It is also home to the Joiners Arms, a 5 star village pub that is very highly rated by our guests.
Alnmouth and Bamburgh are also regarded as being amongst the best beaches in the country.
No te pierdas
Craster- Dunstanburgh Castle - Low Newton Coastal Walk
There is a 'Short Walks' book in the cottage, but our pick for a stunning family walk is the 2.6 mile Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle walk, which is very scenic and not at all strenuous. The coastline is rugged and rocky, and interesting for kids looking to explore rock pools.
The castle ruin itself is striking, and can only be reached on foot, so there are never any crowds. You can grab a bite at the popular Jolly Fisherman afterwards.
You can also continue on from the Castle to Low Newton to complete one of The Guardian's 'Top Ten Walks in the U.K' (6 miles return from Craster)
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Local Taxi Service
If you need a taxi to and from any of the local wedding venues (Ellingham Hall, Newton Hall, Charlton Hall, Doxford Barns etc), or just to get around, then we highly recommend Wizard Taxis in Alnwick.
Kane and his team are great to deal with, extremely reliable, and are very well reviewed on Trustpilot. Find their contact number online (we can't publish it here), and book in advance as they are especially busy in the post-COVID wedding boom era!