Lake District or Northumberland?

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

We will be looking to book this years holiday soon. It will probably be a caravan holiday which is what we usually do. We normally go to North Devon but have a few reasons for needing a change this year.

We got a puppy last september and want to take him with us. Ds is 7 so he does need to be considered though can be amused outdoors.

We have never been to the lakes and have only passed through Northumberland. We want to cut our usual journey time this year for the sake of the puppy(we live in yorkshire) We are happy to be countryside based as long as coast is possible as a day trip. Anyone with any experience to offer?

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

Thanks Framey, thats the kind of info I needed.

Cresswell Towers could suit us then as doesn't really matter what the imeadiate area is like for interest, I would just prefer it not to be horrible.

We have never on any of our holidays spent the day on the park, it is purely somewhere to sleep after exploring the region we are in. We are happy to drive around. It would just be nice if there is somewhere local to go for a walk of an evening once you have arrived back.

Thanks again.

[FrameyMcFrame]

Sandy bay is not good, there is a view of a power station on one side of the beach. It is just outside one of the most deprived towns in the North East (Ashington) Please don't go there! It's not really Northumberland.

Look further North, towards Bamburgh and Seahouses. I grew up in Northumberland and live in Newcastle so I know these places quite well.
Cresswell is at the top of Druridge Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in Northumberland. There's not much there apart from a massive beach though. Don't know if the Caravan Park is good or not though.

[DottyDot]

I've wussed out and decided on Robin Hood's Bay - slightly more going on for ds's and slightly less far to travel. Don't know if it's possible to do a day trip though - have no clue about distance etc. Will need to check!

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

We are definitely going for Northumberland and are very excited! Thanks for all your brilliant advice.

We are looking at Sandy Bay and Creswell Towers caravan parks. We have used Parks resorts before so aware of how accomodation usually is but does anyone happen to know these parks or areas. We will only be using them as a base mainly.

[GrimmaTheNome]

We had a holiday in Northumberland when DD was a bit younger than that - fab. The Lakes have lots of lovely places too but given the serious hills, as someone said do that next year. Don't really know of good seaside places on the cumbrian coast tbh. I live relatively near Blackpool and rarely go there (apart from occasionally the zoo) - St Annes better for beach (one side of the pier dogs allowed). But Northumberland better.... c'mon, you've got a Border Terrier, that's close to home for him!

YY to wetsuits - we didn't have them at that point, DD and I braved the cold north sea but would have been better with! Holy Island is just wonderful to roam around - especially if you know you can't leave before the tide recedes, you just have to totally relax.

We stayed a couple of nights in a hotel in Alnwick, the panelled dining room of which came from the Titanic's sister ship, the Olympic. Can't remember anything else about it but a nice bit of trivia!

[DewDr0p]

DottyDot I don't think you'd be more than a short drive from some fab beaches - there just isn't one in Craster itself.

[FreddieMercuryforQueen]

I know it isn't everyone's cup of tea but you could try Hagerston Castle, I think it might be a haven site and you are close enough for a day trip to Edinburgh as well. Plus driving distance of holy island, Alnwick, bamburgh, seahouses etc. plus in site entertainment if it is your thing.

[DottyDot]

But I really want to be by the sea But sea with beach fussy mare.

[DottyDot]

no beach at all? Hmm... that might be a deal breaker then! I wanted somewhere we could wander along, beach-wise?

[Northumberlandlass]

Dotty - there really isn't much to do in Craster itself, although it is stunning! But loads to do around about.

Do try and come inland a bit - lots of focus on Northumberland coastline and while absolutely glorious - Northumberland is such a vast county there is so much to do elsewhere! (can you tell I live in the heart of Northumberland?)

[iseenodust]

Dotty stretch the budget to body boards and wetsuits (the Seahouses co-op was selling cheapo ones last summer) and you'll not get them out of the water. Craster doesn't really have a beach which is rare on that bit of coastline.

[iseenodust]

Northumberland every time. We took DS 8 there last year. Dogs of the well behaved variety allowed on the beach all year round, even Bamburgh which is awesome beach. Beaches will seem half-empty compared with Devon. Dogs allowed on the boat trips to the Farne Islands (check if allowed off though). Plenty of decent pubs which allow dogs in pub garden. Alnwick Castle no dogs.

[DottyDot]

I'm thinking of booking here for a few days in the summer - me, dp and 2 ds's aged 11 and 8, but we don't know the area at all and I'm a bit worried it'll be too quiet for ds's - although seems to be just what I'm looking for, personally

any advice on Craster and how near other slightly larger places are would be good - I'm desperate for a bit of peace and quiet near the sea, so this seems to fit the bill perfectly, but don't want ds's to be moping around any more than they usually do saying there's nothing to do...

[41notTrendy]

Oh that walk from Craster, wonderful. Beaches in Northumberland are great. And the light.
But I do want to say how much I love the Lakes too. In fact, we have just booked to go this year for the first time since ds. But we go for hill walking and we think ds is just about old to do some big hills without too much moaning .
Do the Lakes next year

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

Unfortunately we need a static site Avuncular. I'd love a caravan but dh says there is now way he is prepared to tow so I can't argue the toss as I don't drive.

[Avuncular]

Excellent camp/caravan site just SW of Bellingham (see Google Earth).

Downstream of Kielder Water so walks, cycling, nature reserves, watersports etc etc. It's also on the Penine Way.

Think its Camping and Caravanning Club.

Very nice hotel/restaurant in the town.

Make up your own minds about logistics of coast visit.

Used it last year for a short stopover en route Leeds/Edinburgh.

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

I am getting very excited now!

I think Borders are popular in the North full stop. I think he is the best puppy ever obviously but I have had blokes doing Uturns in the road to come and ask about him and the rabbitting types in the woods always want to give him the once over

[Hanleyhigh]

I love Northumberland!

To me Seahouses is exactly the right amount of tacky; it has those lovely chippies, boats to the Farne Islands, a crappy crazy golf that's loads of fun, walks round the harbour, a couple of lovely beaches, local ice cream, lifeboat station, cashpoint, little co-op (not to be underestimated in this neck of the woods), views of Bamburgh Castle...

I second the idea of the walk from Craster to Dunstanburgh - we always go a bit further and have a butty at The Ship Inn, Low-Newton-by-Sea. You can buy kippers in Craster or at the smokehouse in Seahouses.

I have never seen as many Border Terriers as we have done when walking the Northumberland Coastal Path.

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

We will Northumberlandlass, we were looking for somewhere with a good mix of walks.

We will have a look FrameyMcFrame, thanks.

Thanks everyone for all the sights advice. I don't think we will have any problem filling a week!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Thanks both. I thought it might be difficult but I really fancy seeing Holy Island.

[Leafmould]

I think it would be difficult without a car, Remus, lupin.

[Northumberlandlass]

Remus, in answer to your question about travel, it would be quite tricky. There are buses but in some areas they only run on one day a week!
If you let me know where your interested in, I can have a look

[FrameyMcFrame]

Waren Park (hoseasons) was very nice. Lovely setting and a heated outdoor children's pool. About 5 mins drive to Bamburgh, 10 mins to Seahouses.

[Northumberlandlass]

Please come visit further inland too! Some beautiful scenery & Hadrian's Wall is stunning. Vindolanda & Roman Army Museum are great for kids.