Northumberland - good place for a few days?

[Susiewho]

We're going to stay with my dad at Slaley Hall in Hexham for two nights in June, but as we're travelling from Cheltenham, we'd like to stay somewhere nearby for maybe another couple of nights, to make the journey worthwhile. Can anyone recommend anywhere please? I have no clue of the geography up there!

It will be me, DP and our two year old DD.

If anyone has any thoughts on accommodation, we're on the cheap and cheerful budget!

What about the Northumberland coast? Bamburgh would be a good place to stay (beautiful beach and magnificent castle). There are a couple of little hotels there but can't remember names I'm afraid.

I loved it when I visited about 10yrs ago magnificent scenery along the coast all the way to Holly Island and seem to recall eating in some really nice places particularly a gem of a family Italian just can't remember where in some side street of a not very inspiring town
guess that not very helpful but it is gorgeous
and Durham is awesome, love river towns
and Adrian's wall along with the little Roman settlement museum type things along it

we stayed just outside of berwick at west ord cottages - twas nice.