Where is a good base in Northumberland?

[chelseamorning]

We're aiming to go to Northumberland soon for 7-10 days. We'd like to find a place on the coast but, as we don't know the area that well, we're not sure where would be a good base.

Ideally, we'd like to be somewhere between Alnwick and Berwick, although this isn't set in stone. Any suggestions please?

Seahouses might be good? Large village, boat trips to the Farne Islands, soft play, small supermarket, pubs, fish & chips and fab beaches towards both Bamburgh and Beadnell.

I'm just back from a week in Bamburgh, and would say there or Seahouses would be great for a base. There is a bit less going on in Bamburgh (castle, beaches, Grace Darling Museum, deli, pubs and hotels) than Seahouses (useful shops, cashpoints, fish and chip shops, harbour, and amusements).

We usually stay in Seahouses for all the reasons listed (have stayed in Craster and Beadnell which are lovely but if you want to nip out for bread/milk/paper it's a bit of a trek).

Seahouses has a Co-op, bank, lovely chippies, good bakers, newsagents, harbour, you can walk to the beach in a few minutes. There's also the completely crap but hugely entertaining mini golf!

Bamburgh has a great butchers.

From Seahouses there are lovely coastal path walks to either Beadnell or Bamburgh.

We stayed in Bamburgh last year and are going back there in a few weeks time - we loved it :)

Thanks so much for the replies! Wasn't sure about Seahouses as we visited there once before when we tried to get to Farne Is. It was very foggy so couldn't see much!

Has anyone been to Alnmouth?

Apart from the usual suspects, any places you'd recommend to visit or things to do?

Alnmouth beach is lovely beyond words. We live in Hexham which is gorgeous, but an hour from the coast.

Alnmouth is a wonderful place-a couple of pubs, cafes and shops and beautiful beach (with a playground overlooking the estuary that has to be one of the most scenic playgrounds in Britain). Very small, quiet and restful and not so much going on as other places mentioned but a wonderful base and place to come back to after days out. We've been there several times and planning to go back next year as one of our friends has moved there

Would suggest going to Low Newton and walking along the beach to Dunstanburgh Castle and back to the pub for lunch.

Alnwick Castle might be worth a visit, depending on the age of any DCs - last week they had a Harry Potter theme going on (with an authentic looking Hagrid and Harry Potter), and then a knight activity going on too with lots of dressing up and knightly activities.

Great sand dunes at Bamburgh, brilliant for sliding down, which is a good beach activity if the sun isn't shining but you still want to be on the beach.

There's a miniature railway at heatherslaw mill - google it. Its quite nice on a nice day - you can get the train along to ford and etal and go to ford castle and have a picnic by the river then get the train back. They also do amazing cream teas.

"Alnmouth beach is lovely beyond words."

Alnmouth is my favourite beach in Northumberland - and it has a lot of competition.

Just back from a week in Northumberland, agree with most of the others . We stayed in beadnell, due to 2 min walk to beach . Im not huge fan of seahouses, the kids like to spend their money at the gift shop !

It is pretty good for travelling to other places.

we loved the railway at Heatherslaw, dont miss Barter books at Anwick. Anwick gardens are nice bt expensive.

Did you take a tour round the poison garden at Alnwick? It is absolutely fascinating.

Anywhere on that coast is wonderful. Seahouses is great and as said above Bamburgh or Beadnell if you want a bit quieter. Days can be passed rollong down those dunes and Bamburgh beach is excellent for dam building which is a favourite hobby of ours

Good toy shop in Berwick for holiday treat too

Thisisalovelyplace Mother in law tries to go here twice a year its her favourite, she invited us once and it really is lovely. She goes so often and takes our dd at least once a year that they think its her other house. It is really close to the beach and is very peaceful but a very handy base for sightseeing.

Although perhaps I shouldn't be giving out family secrets. :)