Explore Northumberland
EXPLORE NORTHUMBERLAND
Coastal breaks and country walking holidays
Northumberland is a county which offers so much natural beauty and historical sites that we highly recommend making the time to visit during your stay in Northumberland. Below are some recommendations for places to visit.
HOLY ISLAND
Visit Lindisfarne
A trip to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne is a must when visiting Northumberland. This unique island a mile off the mainland is cut off twice daily by fast incoming tides. Linked by a causeway you must check the tide times for safe crossing to or from the island.
Don’t forget to plan your visit and check the tide times. It’s a good idea to spend time taking in the stunning views of the Northumbrian coastline, enjoying the peaceful and spiritual surroundings of Lindisfarne Priory while delving into its history. A small community lives on Holy Island and welcomes visitors of all ages, they are more than happy to tell you about the history of this interesting island.
A visit to Lindisfarne Castle and Priory is a must, whilst there visit their fantastic museum to learn about a grisly Viking raid, the cult of St Cuthbert, and the beautiful medieval manuscript: the Lindisfarne Gospels.
THE FARNE ISLANDS
Visit The Farne Islands
If you just love small, bustling, harbour towns, then Seahouses is the place for you! This quaint town makes a great base for visitors to explore the coastline, spend a day on the beach or weather permitting, take a dip in the sea!
In the summer Seahouses attracts thousands of holidaymakers as it is quite famous for its delicious fish & chips and holidaymakers making boat trips to the Farne Islands.
At The Farne Islands you’ll find one of the most famous sea bird sanctuaries in the British Isles along with large colonies of Atlantic and Grey Seals. Don’t forget your camera to capture these beautiful animals to show friends back home! For those interested in diving, take a cruise to the Inner Farnes, Holy Island or Staple Island, which is perfect for scenic dives or wreck diving days.
THE CHEVIOTS
Visit The Cheviots
If you’re after spectacular views while on holiday the Cheviot Hills are the place to see the most beautiful landscape in Northumberland. Iron Age hill forts dot the hills where ancient tribes once lived making the Cheviots a historically interesting location to explore.
With so many small villages and towns nearby everyone can be kept entertained whether they enjoy buying gifts, eating in the local restaurants or having pub lunches. For outdoors enthusiasts, the Cheviots offer an abundance of cycling trails and walking routes.
WARKWORTH CASTLE
Visit Warkworth Castle
If you’re holidaying nearing the East Coast Warworth Castle is definitely a must-see. The castle dates back to the 12th century, with its fascinating enclosure and keep it is popular with tourists from around the world.
The ancient and picturesque village of Warkworth is about eight miles from Alnwick and offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy fabulous restaurants, intriguing gift shops and stunning riverside walks.
ALNMOUTH
Visit Alnmouth
Alnmouth is one of the most stunning small towns along the Northumberland coast, which is characterised by gaily painted houses that sit along the north bank of the River Aln and overlooking Alnmouth Bay.
Surrounded by fine sandy beaches, Alnmouth is a popular choice for both surfers and kite surfers, who can regularly be seen riding the waves. South of the river is ideal for those looking for more wilderness landscapes, where there is a deserted beach that lies between Alnmouth and Warkworth.
During your visit to Alnmouth, we recommend taking a visit to the quaint museum – The Ferryman’s Hut, which is thought to be the smallest museum in the country. Until the 1960s this mini-museum was used by ferrymen rowing passengers back and forth across the Aln.
Wildlife is in abundance in Alnmouth, which is a keen spot for birdwatchers who frequent here, particularly as they head out towards Cocquet Island, which falls within the Northumberland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to watch a variety of rare birds and wild species.
Along the Alnmouth Way, many cyclists enjoy the Castles Cycle Route, whilst walking enthusiasts regularly head along the St Oswald’s Way and North Sea Trail.
ALNWICK
Visit Alnwick
Alnwick is a small market town in North Northumberland, just a short ride away from Stablewood Coastal Cottages. Alnwick has it own castle that is home to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. Adjacent to Alnwick Castle sits The Alnwick Garden, one of the world’s most extraordinary contemporary gardens, a must-see for all of the family.
Explore the cobbled streets, enjoy a stroll around the independent shops, rifle through the shelves at Barter Books – one of the UK’s largest second hand bookshops – housed in the old railway station or relax in a cosy café with an afternoon tea and a pot of Earl Grey tea, which originates from nearby Howick.
Enjoy a spellbinding visit to Alnwick Castle, which was the location of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter film franchise. Alnwick Castle will satisfy history buffs, as the castle known as the Windsor of the North has had more than seven hundred years of intrigue, tragedy and romance associated with it. The architecture is something to behold with views of the magnificent Capability Brown designed landscaped gardens, it’s one attraction that visitors shouldn’t miss.
The Alnwick Garden is an out-of-this world contemporary garden that features a beautiful landscaped garden, one of the world’s largest tree houses and a poison garden for guests to enjoy. The tree house contains rope bridges, wooden walkways and a restaurant where visitors can enjoy food and drink amongst a fairy tale setting.
BEADNELL
Visit Beadnell
Beadnell Bay and Beadnell Village beckon holidaymakers with their many attractions, there’s a fabulous harbour at the north end of the bay with huge sand dunes stretching south for miles and miles.
Make a visit to the unique lime kilns that were built in the 18th century to get a feel of how historic Beadnell really is. There are plenty of exciting things to do and see here, for instance watersports, sailing, cycling and even dune sledging. If you prefer a leisurely stroll there are winding coastal paths that usually end at a pub, perfect for a tasty meal.
BERWICK UPON TWEED
Visit Berwick upon Tweed
Berwick has had a turbulent history with it being only a stone’s throw from the Scottish borders. It was captured 13 times before 1482 when it fell into the hands of the English.
Take a walk along the Elizabethan walls that circle the town which offer fantastic views of the three bridges that span the River Tweed. You can’t help but notice the Georgian buildings on the waterfront and on a clear day you might be able to see Bamburgh and Lindisfarne Castles in the distance. There’s plenty to explore in this pleasing market town!
BUDLE BAY
Visit Budle Bay
Budle Bay is another sought-after location along this particular part of the Northumbrian coastline – it’s noted for its magnificent beaches and idyllic sunsets. If you enjoy walking, try the circular walk from Budle Bay to Bamburgh to catch a glimpse of the sun setting over the water. The distance of the walk is just under four miles so can be attempted by most. Heather Cottages are located within a stone’s throw from the beach.
A Short Walk Away…
What could be more delightful than waking up each morning and strolling along a stretch of beach, that all of the self-catering cottages in Budle Bay have access to. Children can enjoy making sand castles while parents look on knowing they are completely safe. Everyone is guaranteed complete privacy on the mainly deserted beach area so you can let your hair down and enjoy yourself, why not take a picnic down to a sheltered spot watching the waves roll in and taking in the amazing birdlife.
BAMBURGH
Visit Bamburgh
Bamburgh Village
There are so many things for holidaymakers to see and do in Bamburgh, take Bamburgh Castle for instance which is still inhabited today, this stunning castle which is perched on a high rocky outcrop and sprawls across nine acres of land will take your breath away. There’s also the Grace Darling Museum to visit where you can learn about this amazing lady who rescued survivors from a steamship that ran aground in 1838. For the more energetic check out the fantastic coastal walks, circular cycling routes, superb golf courses along with surfing, tennis, cricket and croquet, something for everyone!
Bamburgh Castle & Beach
A trip to Bamburgh wouldn’t be complete without a visit to its stunning castle which is open to visitors for most of the year, most visitors are amazed at the magnificent views of the coast from the turrets along with the unique, interesting artefacts contained inside this beautiful fortress. Our holiday cottages are located nearby, perfect for those who want to see the castle for themselves and enjoy the experience of stepping back through the ages in this iconic structure.
CRASTER
Visit Craster
Dunstanburgh Castle
Dunstanburgh Castle, an iconic castle ruin was once the largest and grandest fortifications in Northern England, set on a beautiful stretch of the Northumberland coastline.
Standing on a remote headland the castle was besieged twice and captured by Yorkist forces but then fell into decay.
Craster
Travel six miles North-East of Alnwick and you’ll come to Craster, a small fishing village famous for its kippers, traditional fishing boats and friendly people. The nineteenth-century harbour was built specifically for the herring fishery and curing sheds that produce the kippers we know and still love to eat today.
ROTHBURY
Visit Rothbury
Rothbury is a delightful village with many shops, charming tea rooms and old-fashioned pubs & cafes that serve mouth-watering meals. Rothbury, near Morpeth, is home to one of the most spectacular Victorian houses, Cragside.
Cragside has stunning gardens and woodland areas to explore, it was also the first house in the world to use hydro-electricity as lighting. There are also lots of ingenious gadgets that still work today including; a maze you can get lost in, a lake to enjoy and a wildlife hide along with a safe adventure play area for little ones.
Visit Ingram, a small village in Northumberland National Park, located in the Cheviots on the River Breamish. It’s the ideal base for setting off on one of the many hill walks to explore the history of the hill forts of the area.
Booking Enquiries
Lucker Steadings
Lucker Road
Lucker
Northumberland
NE70 7JQ
Out of hours (6pm – 10pm)