Who knows the Northumberland Coast? – Tips & Ideas wanted

[Eccie]

We (mum, dad & 8.5 yr old son) are taking a week’s holiday later this month, staying near Bamburgh

Does anyone live there or been on holiday that can pass on some ideas, good pubs, beaches, cycle rides, walks, cafes, greasy spoons etc etc Any must see things really!

My son is mad on Harry Potter so Alnwick castle & Gardens is a must for us, also Holy Island, Bamburgh Castle and the such.
I always try and find out some local knowledge on anywhere we go, this is a last minute booking so I'm searching the internet as I post this

[TurboTrev]

Warkworth - another castle, lovely litttle cafe at the bottom of the bank and a nice walk by the river.  

There's also a lovely coastal walk from Low Newton (nice pub - Ship Inn), past Dunstanburgh Castle to Craster - a nice little harbour and craster kippers.  

Seahouses, a bit commercial, but there's stuff for the young-un to do, including a marine life centre.  

And don't forget to vist the butcher's in Bamburgh - the scotch pies (like a pork pie, but made with lamb) and the scotch eggs are most excellent.

[LouCyffer]

+1 for Warkworth Castle. If you're a castle fan, Dunstanburgh is another must see.

On the seafront in Seahouses is a chippy called The Trident. Best fish & chips I've had for a long time.

Turbotrev's got most of it covered, but to go a little further afield, head out towards Hexham, Otterburn for many things Roman, including the excellent Vindolanda on Hadrian's Wall. Brilliant cycling in Keilder forest with many new (& family-friendly) routes built last year.

http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/

Enjoy 

[hugh jass]

 Alnwick castle is well worth a visit. http://www.alnwickcastle.com/

[Merlinman]

If you've never been to Cragside it's well worth a visit.

http://lyxus.net/icro

Nip into Rothbury for a cuppa!

Fantastic roads to get you there and no speed cams either!

[Andy]

went to Bamburgh castle last year on a glorious hot sunny day so we had the kids on the beach then went to sea houses for the fish and chips...then up tp alnwick castle wwhich was excellent as well just watch your kids near the catle and keep on the path as thier is a massive moat 

[PDT]

Theres also Alnwick Gardens which is a good 1/2 day out.

Theres also Durham Cathedral not too far away (1 hour drive when traffic is quiet, avoid the A1 from 7-10am and 3-7pm) which was used in a huge amount of the Hogwarts School scenes in  Harry potter.

At Seahouses theres lots of good boat trips out to the islands where you will see seals etc...

Top tip, dont eat in at any of the chippys, they are horribly expensive! For the best Fish and chips in the North East try the Mermaid at Blyth just near the beach, cant beat them.

If its pouring with rain then 40mins drive down the A1 is the Metrocentre which has shops restaraunts, cinema, Imax, bowling etc.....

[andrewparker]

I'd only recommend going to Alnwick for the castle and the gardens. The rest of it is pretty drab. Certainly don't believe the hype that Bondgate Within is the best shopping street in the UK, because it most definitely isn't.

The Ship Inn is a good shout - but make sure you take some cash. We headed over there last weekend and they don't have a card machine. We've been plenty of times though, it's well worth a visit particularly if you're into real ale.

As much as I used to love Seahouses it has became victim of commercialism. I drove through there recently and counted three Indian restaurants on the high street. The boat trips out to the Farne Islands are great though, however I wouldn't recommend getting one that lands on the main island. There's very little to see or do there.

North Northumberland isn't short of good beaches, our personal favourite is Beadnell Bay. It's very well sheltered.

Away from the coast Belsay Hall is also worth a visit, as is Cragside and Rothbury.

The only downside is that a week probably isn't enough!

[dmac1969]

I live in Berwick upon Tweed so all the places mentioned on this thread are on my doorstep , I can vouch that if the weather is good you cant fail to have a good time at any of them. If you fancy heading further north than Bamburgh , there's a bit to see in Berwick its self (barracks museum , town walls , bridges , riverside walk , and a few galleries (including one in the newly opened granary on Bridge St) also in Duns , just over the Border , you have The Jim Clark Room , showing lots of his trophies , memorobilia etc , including his Indy 500 winning overalls , the Winners ring and jacket- his grave is in the nearby village of Chirnside.

[damoegan]

Prety much got it all covered with all the recommendations there 

Alnwick castle & gardens, Bamburgh castle, Dunstanburgh castle, Seahouses, Durham cathedrial are all a must visit if you've not been to this part of the world before. Also have a look at Northumberland National Park for some great walks & cycling http://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/

I live just down the road in Newcastle and we go up the Northumberland coast all the time ..

[Andy]

There is also Richmond castle as well

[andrewparker]

There is also Richmond castle as well

Er, isn't that in North Yorkshire?

[Eccie]

A big thank you to everyone for the ideas  – it’s all I ever want when I travel; insider knowledge
You can always count on the people on this forum – it never fails to deliver – the members are so diverse   

[Andy]

There is also Richmond castle as well

Er, isn't that in North Yorkshire?

It is Andrew--every body was putting Durham in to visit so if he is round thier its not to far away

[andrewparker]

There is also Richmond castle as well

Er, isn't that in North Yorkshire?

It is Andrew--every body was putting Durham in to visit so if he is round thier its not to far away

Lol, true but it is over 2 hours from Bamburgh!