Northumberland

BAMBURGH !!! If you like spectacular settings of a huge castle on a rock crag, overlooking a cricket field, then a sensational beach and dunes then it cannot be beaten. I've got photos of it with blue skies ... so stunning.
Alnmouth for a good beach and a few nice shops and pubs. We were there for a week just before xmas.
Boulmer. Nice pub and great beach
Craster. Lovely kippers and roll mop herrings. Pub opposite is pretty good.
Dunstanburgh castle. Still got to do the walk from Craster.
Low Newton. Nice pub and beach but not a lot else there.
Lindisfarne. Not to be missed if you like history, archaeology and a good walk to the castle. Make sure you check the tide times for the causeway.
Avoid the A1 round Newcastle at busy times. About 4 sets of roadworks which can drag on and on. Lovely informative signs at the side which say "Narrow lanes for your safety" just as you're about to get crushed by a big lorry.

 

We ate at the Jolly Fisherman- had a seafood platter and was fantastic. Nice views there too.

 

Langley Castle is lovely we stayed 2 nights was 200 . Had a suite inside castle and quality brekkies .

 

Nice long walk on the beach, then a couple of pints in the Grey Horse at Embleton. Take your dog if you have one, friendly staff log fires ,brill.

 

If you only did one thing it would have to be Lindisfarne. Went once in some wild weather and always reminds me of this.

Sea Fever - John Masefield.

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

 

Lovely part of the country. David O Doherty in episode 3 of his TV show rode around there with Mel Giedroyc....

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/along-for-the-ride-with-david-odoherty

 

If the Titanic interests you the original interior on the Olympic is incorporated in the white swan hotel Alnwick.

https://www.titanic.memorial/post/memorial/the+white+swan+hotel/

Also in Alnwick is the treehouse restaurant, lovely place to eat.

https://www.alnwickgarden.com/the-treehouse-restaurant/

 

Well earned after getting up that hill into Embleton!

 

We usually go A19, tyne tunnel and the coast road up into Northumberland. Druridge Bay, Amble, Warkworth are on the way up to Craster - that's our usual stomping ground (beaches for the dog!). If you venture further north (just over the border) St Abbs is fantastic. Cliff top walk to the north, small fishing harbour and short walk around the cliff path south to Coldingham bay. Barter Books at Alnwick is well worth a visit.
The only time I have seen dolphins in the uk was from the pub garden in Craster
You'll have a great time whatever you do!

 

Remembrr to pay the Tyne Tunnel toll fee im advance or within 24 hours though.

 

If the weather is a little "unseasonal" - as it can be in September, the old Alnwick railway station had a fantastic second hand bookshop (https://www.barterbooks.co.uk/) - one of the largest I've ever been in. Alnwick Castle is also popular (I've not been) for its Harry Potter links....

 

Sometimes I'd like to do the pub without the walk.

 

Did they get the dolphins back in the sea?
We've stayed in warkworth and alnwick quite a few times.
Janie wants us to move up there, prices of homes have soared in the last 12months, too many folk are reading this thread and seeing for themselves.

 

Thanks for all the input folks, really appreciate it. I’m sure we’ll do plenty of the things highlighted, but will likely not have time for all (it’s a pretty long drive from London so the first day and last day will be pretty truncated and we’ll likely break up the journey with stops to an NT or RSPB place given we’re members of both).

Unless covid is pretty much eliminated, I suspect indoor restaurants will be a bridge too far, though eating outdoors or takeaways could well be feasible.

Are there any particularly good chippies in the area? And on the first day we generally find a good local farm shop for supplies and produce, are there any particularly good butchers/bakery’s/farm shops in and around craster or approaching from the south?

 

We were in Alnmouth a month ago and we ate every night at the Hope and Anchor pub. It does a happy hour for meals around 5pm at which you can get a 2 course meal, various pizzas, Italian things and starter or pudding for £15. I had the starter and calzone and couldn't finish it. I was stuffed. We got doggy bags and finished the meals another day. They do a nice selection of local beers so that does tend to fill you up before your even start to eat !
As for farm shops, don't know. Can't actually remember seeing any.

 

I bought a place in North Sunderland (Seahouses)3 years ago. Next door sold a few months ago for 30% + more. I wouldn’t be able to afford it if I were buying now. Such is the demand for coastal property.

 

Nice cake and coffee in One Coffee.

 

Seen a cottage in sth Charlton but requires some work. Another place is newbiggin by the sea, but couldn't tell if it was improving or declining last time we went. Prices look low in ashington but I don't think that the place for us. Warkworth or embleton if we get a windfall.

 

I have only been in once, my go to place is the ocean club. Not many tourists find it.