_ This is one of our most favourite places to visit and with many beautiful villages worth visiting, you can easily spend several days in the area and would recommend staying somewhere just below Holy island, which will give you a great central location to travel from.
Seahouses - Visited Many Times
Another must see coastal village, this little place has a street of shops, cafes and an amusements, but most of all a walk down to the end of the harbour, we sit watching the waves crash against the harbour walls for hours. We always park in the same little car park, just off the roundabout at the bottom of the high street, where there's also some toilets, there’s also another car park a little further ‘round the corner on the right.
There’s a typical seaside shop across the road from the car park, selling all the typical gifts, it’s like an Aladdins cave, but we always have a look ‘round. From there you can walk down the ramp to the harbour and right along to the end, but be prepared it is very cold if there is a strong breeze, so take a jumper. Heading to the right side pf the harbour, you can walk futher around the corner and in front of the caravan park, where once again there are some lovely views and some lucky caravan owners have a great view from their living room.
Opposite the second car park, there’s The Bunker, which consists of an indoor soft play and outdoor Crazy Golf. About halfway up the high street is Trotters Bakery, a lovely little place for a lunch stop, they have about 8 tables inside. Carrying on along past the high street, we walked up and back down along a pathway, which runs alongside the Seafield Caravan Park and back out into the car park.
Another must see coastal village, this little place has a street of shops, cafes and an amusements, but most of all a walk down to the end of the harbour, we sit watching the waves crash against the harbour walls for hours. We always park in the same little car park, just off the roundabout at the bottom of the high street, where there's also some toilets, there’s also another car park a little further ‘round the corner on the right.
There’s a typical seaside shop across the road from the car park, selling all the typical gifts, it’s like an Aladdins cave, but we always have a look ‘round. From there you can walk down the ramp to the harbour and right along to the end, but be prepared it is very cold if there is a strong breeze, so take a jumper. Heading to the right side pf the harbour, you can walk futher around the corner and in front of the caravan park, where once again there are some lovely views and some lucky caravan owners have a great view from their living room.
Opposite the second car park, there’s The Bunker, which consists of an indoor soft play and outdoor Crazy Golf. About halfway up the high street is Trotters Bakery, a lovely little place for a lunch stop, they have about 8 tables inside. Carrying on along past the high street, we walked up and back down along a pathway, which runs alongside the Seafield Caravan Park and back out into the car park.
Holy Island - Visited Many Times
A must visit when in Northumberland, Holy Island is a beautiful place to explore, but you will need to check the tide times, as the causeway is only crossable in low tide. There's a large pay & display car park just before the village and a coach and disabled parking one further along.
The village is only small with a few pubs, cafes and shops, including Lindisfarne Stores, where they sell beautiful homemade Malteser cake, however they don't always have it. There's also the Lindisfarne winery, where you can pick up a bottle of the well-known Lindisfarne mead. On our last visit in May 2019, they now had more variations, including Pink, Dark and Spiced.
On a previous visit we had explored the island, walking the paths above the priory, but we'd never walked beyond the gate at the foot of the castle. Having decided to walk up the steep path to the right of the castle, we were pleasantly surprised to see beautiful views beyond and paths in the long grass to walk along. The paths went in both directions and straight across, which takes you to a little walled garden, which is free to enter.
Back in the village, we came across a cafe next to the post office, which had a lovely outdoor area, including two tables in open fronted sheds. Having already stopped in a cafe earlier for food, we only stopped for a drink, however this cafe had more food options.
On a beautiful day you really can spend the day on the island, just remember to set off back before it's too late to cross.
A must visit when in Northumberland, Holy Island is a beautiful place to explore, but you will need to check the tide times, as the causeway is only crossable in low tide. There's a large pay & display car park just before the village and a coach and disabled parking one further along.
The village is only small with a few pubs, cafes and shops, including Lindisfarne Stores, where they sell beautiful homemade Malteser cake, however they don't always have it. There's also the Lindisfarne winery, where you can pick up a bottle of the well-known Lindisfarne mead. On our last visit in May 2019, they now had more variations, including Pink, Dark and Spiced.
On a previous visit we had explored the island, walking the paths above the priory, but we'd never walked beyond the gate at the foot of the castle. Having decided to walk up the steep path to the right of the castle, we were pleasantly surprised to see beautiful views beyond and paths in the long grass to walk along. The paths went in both directions and straight across, which takes you to a little walled garden, which is free to enter.
Back in the village, we came across a cafe next to the post office, which had a lovely outdoor area, including two tables in open fronted sheds. Having already stopped in a cafe earlier for food, we only stopped for a drink, however this cafe had more food options.
On a beautiful day you really can spend the day on the island, just remember to set off back before it's too late to cross.
Amble - Visited Many Times
We always visit this lovely place when we are in Northumberland and I always forget how lovely it really is. The high street could do with a makeover, some shops look better than others and most of the high street is closed on Sunday, which is market day, usually the day we always aim to visit. The market is down on the harbour, with a car park within a few minutes’ walk, but on our visit in June 2015) we were delighted to see the addition of about 10 small huts (little shops, know as Amble Harbour Village, which used to be a boat yard), with The Old Boathouse restaurant at the bottom, there's also a new apartment development, which all add to the appeal of visiting Amble. After the market you can continue walking across a long wooden boardwalk, looking back the new green and red apartment blocks dominate the view of the town, a little too much in our opinion. Follow the boardwalk to the end and right, back around in a circle to a small plot of pastel coloured beach huts.
If you fancy a walk into Warkworth, there's a path down the side of the boatyard from the small rough/gravel car park, which brings out at the end of Amble marina, from here you can follow the river up to Warkworth, it's about a 20-30minute walk
We always visit this lovely place when we are in Northumberland and I always forget how lovely it really is. The high street could do with a makeover, some shops look better than others and most of the high street is closed on Sunday, which is market day, usually the day we always aim to visit. The market is down on the harbour, with a car park within a few minutes’ walk, but on our visit in June 2015) we were delighted to see the addition of about 10 small huts (little shops, know as Amble Harbour Village, which used to be a boat yard), with The Old Boathouse restaurant at the bottom, there's also a new apartment development, which all add to the appeal of visiting Amble. After the market you can continue walking across a long wooden boardwalk, looking back the new green and red apartment blocks dominate the view of the town, a little too much in our opinion. Follow the boardwalk to the end and right, back around in a circle to a small plot of pastel coloured beach huts.
If you fancy a walk into Warkworth, there's a path down the side of the boatyard from the small rough/gravel car park, which brings out at the end of Amble marina, from here you can follow the river up to Warkworth, it's about a 20-30minute walk
Amble Marina
This a great example of what you can find when you go off the beaten track and venture down unknown roads (care must be taken when venturing down some roads, as they may be private, narrow or dirt roads, so you must read the signs). We've found you can get to the marina from the town, there's a path from the car park that’s in front of the boatyard, it’s on the left side running down the side of the boatyard. If you are driving out of Amble, heading towards Alnwick and you should see a sign for Amble Marina, turn right here, then take the first left, park up and go for a walk.
This a great example of what you can find when you go off the beaten track and venture down unknown roads (care must be taken when venturing down some roads, as they may be private, narrow or dirt roads, so you must read the signs). We've found you can get to the marina from the town, there's a path from the car park that’s in front of the boatyard, it’s on the left side running down the side of the boatyard. If you are driving out of Amble, heading towards Alnwick and you should see a sign for Amble Marina, turn right here, then take the first left, park up and go for a walk.
Barnard Castle – Last Visit January 2017
We don’t visit Barnard Castle as often as we’d like due to it’s distance from home, however it is worth travelling to if you are in the area, with a lovely high street and variety of shops to walk around, there’s also the castle, we’ve not been inside the grounds ourselves, but there are great views from outside the grounds and if you’re looking for somewhere nice to eat, we highly recommend the three horseshoes.
We don’t visit Barnard Castle as often as we’d like due to it’s distance from home, however it is worth travelling to if you are in the area, with a lovely high street and variety of shops to walk around, there’s also the castle, we’ve not been inside the grounds ourselves, but there are great views from outside the grounds and if you’re looking for somewhere nice to eat, we highly recommend the three horseshoes.
Berwick-upon-Tweed - Last Visit June 2012
One of the most beautiful, multi function towns, containing many shops and a lovely hilltop green area for picnics! There is a large car park at the north end of the high street, go under the bridge and turn right in front of the Co-Op, you can then walk up and down the high street looking in the many shops and then going back up to the car park, on the right hand side of the bridge is a some steps, taking you to upper level. You can walk left over the bridge and you will come to a small area looking across to the bridge. If you then walk back across the bridge, there is a beautiful walk above the car park below, which you will eventually be able to look over the golf course and out to sea. Definitely worth a look and on a nice day, take a picnic and find a place on the hill to enjoy the scenery a tranquil surroundings.
One of the most beautiful, multi function towns, containing many shops and a lovely hilltop green area for picnics! There is a large car park at the north end of the high street, go under the bridge and turn right in front of the Co-Op, you can then walk up and down the high street looking in the many shops and then going back up to the car park, on the right hand side of the bridge is a some steps, taking you to upper level. You can walk left over the bridge and you will come to a small area looking across to the bridge. If you then walk back across the bridge, there is a beautiful walk above the car park below, which you will eventually be able to look over the golf course and out to sea. Definitely worth a look and on a nice day, take a picnic and find a place on the hill to enjoy the scenery a tranquil surroundings.
Staithes - Last Visit September 2014
This is only a small little village and due to the tight narrow streets, only residents can drive down, so there is a car park at the top, however it’s a little steep walking down to the bottom.
This is only a small little village and due to the tight narrow streets, only residents can drive down, so there is a car park at the top, however it’s a little steep walking down to the bottom.
Morpeth – Last Visited June 2012
This is one of the larger towns in the north east and has many great shops to look ‘round.
This is one of the larger towns in the north east and has many great shops to look ‘round.
Rothbury
Quite a large pretty village, but there are not many shops.
Quite a large pretty village, but there are not many shops.
Roker - Sunderland - Last Visit June 2012
Wooler - visited June 2012
This is a nice little village, with a short high street.
This is a nice little village, with a short high street.
Durham – Visited 2012
From the car park, we walked out onto a small street of shops going in a U shape, left and right. We went to the right, which brought us out into a small square where the church is. There were a few a market stalls and we also accessed the indoor market from here. We followed the streets 'round, they go off in various directions, but make it more interesting and some are cobbled. It's quite a hilly town, especially the walk up to the Cathedral, but when you arrive at the top, it opens out onto a green area in front of the Cathedral. The Cathedral itself is massive and is free to enter, although donations are kindly welcomed. Walking around inside the Cathedral, it is very impressive, photography is not allowed, as I found out when we had nearly finished looking, but there were many people taking photos like myself, so they should really make more clear signs on entry. Returning to the town, there are a few bridges over the river and we found it to be a very nice, interesting place to walk around and would considering staying in the area for another visit and explore the area a little more. The second time we visited, was in December and there was a large craft and gift fair in a large marquee just outside the cathedral.
From the car park, we walked out onto a small street of shops going in a U shape, left and right. We went to the right, which brought us out into a small square where the church is. There were a few a market stalls and we also accessed the indoor market from here. We followed the streets 'round, they go off in various directions, but make it more interesting and some are cobbled. It's quite a hilly town, especially the walk up to the Cathedral, but when you arrive at the top, it opens out onto a green area in front of the Cathedral. The Cathedral itself is massive and is free to enter, although donations are kindly welcomed. Walking around inside the Cathedral, it is very impressive, photography is not allowed, as I found out when we had nearly finished looking, but there were many people taking photos like myself, so they should really make more clear signs on entry. Returning to the town, there are a few bridges over the river and we found it to be a very nice, interesting place to walk around and would considering staying in the area for another visit and explore the area a little more. The second time we visited, was in December and there was a large craft and gift fair in a large marquee just outside the cathedral.
Sadly Kyloe Cabin appears to have been sold and at this time we are unsure if it will reopen.
We stayed here for 3 days in 2010 for our Mini honeymoon and we loved the beautiful, peaceful location. The cabin is sat in a beautiful large open garden and is conveniently situated within easy access of the A1, but yet enough distance away to feel you are in the middle of nowhere, with only nature around you. We found the location to be a great base to travel to and from, while visiting the north east and with a separate driveway, you can go and return whenever suits you.
The cabin is a perfect size for 2 or 4 people, with a double bed in one room and 2 singles in the other, a separate bathroom with shower cubicle and a large open plan kitchen, dining and living room area.
The owners made sure the cabin was lovely and cosy warm for when we arrived and made us feel very welcome and we will definitely return.
We stayed here for 3 days in 2010 for our Mini honeymoon and we loved the beautiful, peaceful location. The cabin is sat in a beautiful large open garden and is conveniently situated within easy access of the A1, but yet enough distance away to feel you are in the middle of nowhere, with only nature around you. We found the location to be a great base to travel to and from, while visiting the north east and with a separate driveway, you can go and return whenever suits you.
The cabin is a perfect size for 2 or 4 people, with a double bed in one room and 2 singles in the other, a separate bathroom with shower cubicle and a large open plan kitchen, dining and living room area.
The owners made sure the cabin was lovely and cosy warm for when we arrived and made us feel very welcome and we will definitely return.
Bamburgh
Is a small pretty village, with only a few shops and has a very picturesque church. Bamburgh castle towers above like a guardian of the village below. There is a very big car park on the main road below the castle, which is pay and display, but you can drive up the castle driveway, although parking is limited and mainly for disabled visitors. The drive from Seahouses to Bamburgh takes you past grassy sand dunes on your right, with some available parking places if you wanted to climb over to the beach, which we have never done. Well worth a look and you may wish to go inside the castle for a look.
Is a small pretty village, with only a few shops and has a very picturesque church. Bamburgh castle towers above like a guardian of the village below. There is a very big car park on the main road below the castle, which is pay and display, but you can drive up the castle driveway, although parking is limited and mainly for disabled visitors. The drive from Seahouses to Bamburgh takes you past grassy sand dunes on your right, with some available parking places if you wanted to climb over to the beach, which we have never done. Well worth a look and you may wish to go inside the castle for a look.
Norham Castle
Beadnell Bay
Turn off the main road and head towards beadnell village, there is not a lot there, but there is a decent size car park on the road side. Park up there and head towards the back of the car park and walk down a small slope to find fantastic massive beach, there is usually a tractor towing boats in and out of the water.
Turn off the main road and head towards beadnell village, there is not a lot there, but there is a decent size car park on the road side. Park up there and head towards the back of the car park and walk down a small slope to find fantastic massive beach, there is usually a tractor towing boats in and out of the water.
Warkworth
It’s a lovely, but quite small, we've only briefly stopped off for a look around Warkworth, however we decided to walk here from Amble, which we'd never done before. We started off from Amble, down a path at the side of the boatyard, out to the marina and passed along the waterfront. Continuing, you eventually come out and walk along the roadside, which ends with a quite steep walk up past the castle and down Warkworth high street.
Sticking to the right, we followed the road around and at the bridge crossed over and down a path to the left of the bridge, bringing us out alongside the river. The riverside path brings you past the back of the church and out at the bottom of the high street.
It's main attraction is most likely Warkworth Castle, which we haven't visited, however as you head out of Warkworth, towards Alnwick, turn right just after the bridge to Warkworth golf club, follow the track round to the left at the Coquet leisure park sign and parking is on your right, from here you can walk down to the beach.
It’s a lovely, but quite small, we've only briefly stopped off for a look around Warkworth, however we decided to walk here from Amble, which we'd never done before. We started off from Amble, down a path at the side of the boatyard, out to the marina and passed along the waterfront. Continuing, you eventually come out and walk along the roadside, which ends with a quite steep walk up past the castle and down Warkworth high street.
Sticking to the right, we followed the road around and at the bridge crossed over and down a path to the left of the bridge, bringing us out alongside the river. The riverside path brings you past the back of the church and out at the bottom of the high street.
It's main attraction is most likely Warkworth Castle, which we haven't visited, however as you head out of Warkworth, towards Alnwick, turn right just after the bridge to Warkworth golf club, follow the track round to the left at the Coquet leisure park sign and parking is on your right, from here you can walk down to the beach.
Craster
This is only a small village, with a pretty little harbour, but nothing else there.
This is only a small village, with a pretty little harbour, but nothing else there.
_ St Mary’s Lighthouse
This tiny island is only accessible at low tide on foot, via the causeway, there is only a lighthouse, but it is pretty and a nice walk out. You can check out the tide times by clicking here
This tiny island is only accessible at low tide on foot, via the causeway, there is only a lighthouse, but it is pretty and a nice walk out. You can check out the tide times by clicking here
_Low Newton-by-the-Sea
There is a bit of a long road to walk down, if you can’t get parked near the bottom, however there is a lovely beach when you get there.
There is a bit of a long road to walk down, if you can’t get parked near the bottom, however there is a lovely beach when you get there.