Northumberland where to visit! Seahouses etc.

[RedPandaMama]

We're off to Seahouses for a week this coming Friday. It's going to be chilly but I'm so looking forward to it as I've never been to that part of the UK before, only Edinburgh and Durham but no where in between.

Is there any places really worth a visit while we're there? Alnwick castle is closed sadly, we're visiting the Kielder forest park to do a stargazing experience, and we've planned a day and stop over in Newcastle on the way home (near Manchester) as DP loves it there and I've never been.

I'm into quirky shops, love little villages, tea rooms and nice cafes, places with a view and architecture and things to take photos of. DP likes anywhere with cool history, interesting transport and views.

[RedPandaMama]

Oh god. I have an English degree and with the grammar opening that second paragraph I think I deserve to be shot. I'm tired okay...

[parietal]

bamburgh has a lifeboat museum & bamburgh castle - both worth seeing.

and Lindisfarne, obviously but check the tides

[user1498549192]

Bamburgh beach! (And castle). Absolutely beautiful.

[saladdays66]

Bamburgh castle. Bamburgh beach fab for rock pooling. Scremerston beach great for fossils and rock pooling. Warkworth castle and dunstanburgh castle - the latter is most atmospheric, with lovely cliff walk to it. The village is nice too - posh cafe/pub and nice shop.

Boat trip to Faroe islands or cocott (sp]) island.

lindisfarne is a must. Love watching the tide come in there.

[Frazzled2207]

There are loads of other castles up there the buggy is Bamburgh which is very close to Seahouses. The beach between Seahouses and Bamburgh is stunning. We also enjoyed a day out to Lindisfarne island- check tides before you go! And the fish and chip shops in the village are ace. A good Indian takeaway too.
We also went on a boat to the farmers islands but they might not run in winter.

It's a lovely part of the world.

[user1498549192]

Ooh and a boat trip out to the Farne Islands, if they run them this time of year.

[user1471453601]

If the weather permits, a trip to the Farne Islands is good. Even if you can't land to see the birds, its still worth it to see the seals. Banborough castle is lovely, a day trip ( depending on tides ) to Lindisfarne is also lovely. Northumberland has some of the best beaches in the country IMO. Enjoy

[wizzler]

Chillingham cattle?

Also we love pottering round the Heatherslaw estate ... especially tea rooms!

[Frazzled2207]

Damn autocorrect.
Farne islands
Biggy not buggy

[NannyR]

Cragside national trust is a great place to visit, beautiful house and gardens. Chillingham castle is interesting and a bit eccentric!
If you're in Alnwick and like bookshops, Barter Books is worth a visit.
Kielder has lots of nice walking trails with quirky sculptures to look at and there are hides where you might have a chance of seeing a red squirrel.

[user1471453601]

I see others got there first. But at least you know they all have the mumsnet seal of approval😁

[helensburgh]

Lots of little hidden gems of places off the beaten track but not far from Seahouses. Dunstan burgh, Craster etc. Embleton is our favourite beach

[soundingklaxon]

For quirky shops, try Barter Books in Alnwick. It's one not to miss. If I knew how to attach links I would! The Treehouse restaurant may still be open in the grounds of Alnwick garden- even if the castle is closed? That's also worth a look!

[soundingklaxon]

Ah, cross posted with Barter Books suggestion!!

[RedPandaMama]

Wow thanks for all the replies!

Definitely planning a walk up to Bamburgh castle it looks gorgeous. We are going to Alnwick despite the castle not being open so will have a look at the bookshop and soundingklaxon we have booked the treehouse restaurant for FILs birthday so I'm glad to hear it's good!

[Frontstep]

The walk from Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle is a lovely one - right along the sea but on grassy banks, and there is a pub in craster with excellent crab sarnies for lunch after. The castle is English Heritage I think.

Alnwick Garden (you can do it separately from the Castle).

In Newcastle/Gateshead, visit the Baltic, have a look at the Sage and walk over the millennium bridge. Hancock and Discovery Museums are entertaining if you have youngish kids with you. Seven Stories Centre for children’s books is nice (though a bit pricey and a bit out of town, depends how much time you have).

Rock pooling at St Marys Lighthouse in Whitley Bay - you walk out to the lighthouse over a causeway at low tide so check the tide times first.

Amble is pretty and has a weekend market (not certain on all year - again check!)

Fish and chips at North Shields fish quay and look at the fishing boats, then short drive to Tynemouth village and look round the Priory (English Heritage). There is a nice free and family friendly history trail round Tynemouth that you can print out online. Tynemouth metro station has a huge lovely market on the weekends.

[AalyaSecura]

The coast is fab, but the weather could be a bit bleak, or the sea fret could descend. If you're heading to towns, my favourite places for a mooch are Warkworth, Alnmouth and Morpeth, as well as Alnwick.

[saladdays66]

If you’re going to Keilder, it’s a fair drive from the coast.

There’s also hadrian’s Wall, housesteads fort and other roman forts along the wall if you like history.

Love Northumberland!!!

[AalyaSecura]

If you are looking for something inside, Woodhorn Grange (old colliery, now a museum on local history) is a nice way to pass a morning.

[AdaColeman]

You mustn't miss Hadrian's Wall, and visit one of the forts if you have time.
Hexham is a pretty town, with teashops.

[MissMurielStacy]

Definitely go to Barter books in Alnwick; it's a great place for lunch.

Just down from Seahouses is Beadnell Bay, it's got a quirky little harbour that's worth a look.

Bamburgh Castle, obviously!

[Bellie99]

Cragside - easily a day
Ford and Etal
Craster
Warkworth castle
Bamburgh
Alnmouth

[phanUK]

We love Northumberland and have stayed many times in the past. We usually book a lodge and use this as a base but have also stayed in one of them glamping pods which was a great experience.

Bamborough Castle is a good place to visit, and went to holy island for a few hours and up Alnwick. Really anywhere is not that far too travel from Seahouses way. If your looking for ideas on places to stay try where we booked from, Lodges4U.com we contacted a lodge owner from their site and booked with them.

Let me know what you think of the area when you have been, I hope you have a fab time. Kirsty :) x

[Shadow1986]

Definitely Bamburgh castle and beach.

Elan pizzaria for dinner if you like pizza!

[RedPandaMama]

Thank you for all the suggestions!

We have been to Bamburgh Castle, the Kielder national park and Observatory, me and DP drove to Berwick yesterday and had a child-free afternoon - it was lovely! We had pizza last night from Elan which was amazing.
Some of the family are off to Halsteads Roman Fort today. We've also got the treehouse restaurant at Alnwick castle and Lindisfarne planned.

It's beautiful up here, even in January when it's very cold. Very peaceful and quiet.