Seahouses, is it really that bad?!

[Boynamedsue]

I have actually been before, DH and I went for a few days and really liked it but it was in winter so was very quiet. It was all roaring fires in cozy pubs and long walks on nice beaches on surprisingly nice winter days.

We've booked a big family holiday there with relatives, largely on my recommendation. Now I keep hearing how 'grim' it is, particularly in summer and I'm panicking! (I hate suggesting things for this reason!)

We picked it partly because there is a large caravan site for some relatives who are bringing their tourer and partly because I thought there would be plenty for everyone to do (large age range of kids). Now I just keep hearing how 'chavvy' (God I hate that word!) it is. Is it really that different in summer? Anybody been recently who can put my mind at rest?! I'm one of life's great worriers...

The Northumberland coast is spectacularly beautiful. Seahouses itself is very busy in the summer but you can walk all the way to bambrough, a quick drive to Alnwick (the gardens are fab and go to barter books) and you will have a wonderful time.

Thank you, we walked to Bamburgh last time and I remember it being a lovely walk. We'll definitely do Alnwick too.

It's hardly Blackpool!

The Northumberland coast is stunning. We've just come back from there and stayed in Embleton. Seahouses is busy, but convenient for shops and boats to the Farne Islands. If you like coastal walks it's a wonderful part of the country.

I agree, it's nothing like Blackpool or the more tacky seaside resorts, if that's what you're worried about!

Lordrothrmere, that's exactly what I was worried about and what someone compared it to! Having been I couldn't really see it but I do like to have something to worry about! Thanks everyone.

I love down there its lovely seahouses was busy but we have a great time its only 3 hoursish from scotland so we went to northumberland a lot when kids were younger.

It's busy and a lot of people from Newcastle/Sunderland go there for day trips so is busier midday with mornings and evenings quieter as only those staying there are around. It's definitely no Blackpool though and there are lots of lovely quite bits of beach within walking distance. I'm sure you will have a lovely time.

*quiet

Unlike some of the other villages seahouses has fish and chip shops an arcade and shops selling buckets and spades but it also has the harbour for trips fishing or to the farne islands, shops, post office etc. Its a good place for a base to explore the region. Personal recommendation Craster to Dunstanburgh castle walk and if you feel upto it on to tje Ship at lower newton (v busy in summer though)

We went a couple of summers ago. It was the busiest part of that coastline HOWEVER. The coastline was full of totally deserted beaches from heaven.
We went so the kids could go to the arcades we had a great day there and for what you have described it sounds perfect.

Ooh a second to the ship but make sure you book it gets v busy

We've just come back from 5 days in Northumberland. We spent 2 nights in Craster which is just down the coast. It's a stunning part of the country. We walked to Dunstanburgh castle, went to Alnwick Castle and garden (they are great for kids!), went to Lindisfarne, and had a couple of days exploring Hadrian's wall. We went to Seahouses (had fantastic fish and chips!) and it was fine. Lovely little place.

Buy the lindesfarne cream liquer it is amazing

Also recommend a day trip to Warkworth - the castle is fantastic and you can hire a rowing boat on the river.

Love Seahouses. A bit of bustle and tat shopping is v helpful with a large party. As others have said, plenty of quieter spots to escape to if it gets too much. But it's hardly Blackpool. Isn't there a National Trust shop right there on the Front Street? (Used to be at any rate)

Thanks, you've all put my mind at rest, I always feel responsible for everybody else's enjoyment when I've suggested somewhere. We're only there for a week but will try to fit in as many suggestions as possible! (But definitely the Lindisfarne cream liquer)

It has a couple of trashy amusements and shops-full-of-tacky-holiday shoite... .but it still has its lovely harbour, quiet walks west and east. Coach party/daytrippers
will fill up the village during the day
so go off and explore our wonderful
beaches and countryside. And keep how gorgeous it is to yourself please! On the coast craster, dunstanburgh, beadnell and embleton are alternatives to visit. IMO quiet/best beaches are just south of Alnmouth (rocky track access) and Cocklawburn south of berwick, neither have facilities so fab for those
able to rough it.

It's one of my favourite places. We go on day trips. Lunch at Neptune, tacky gift shops with the kids, then off to a quiet beach like Beadnell to burn off the fish and chips with a good long walk.

Who told you Seahouses was chavvy??

The whole north east coast is stunning, and we love a drive up for the day. Bamburgh Castle is a good afternoon out, as is a meander round Bamburgh itself, and Bamburgh beach is, in my opinion, one of the best beaches in the country!

There's loads to do for days out round there, including Holy Island, Berwick, Alnwick, Craster, Amble, and Newcastle and Durham aren't that far away for a long day out.

It is a village with about 15 shops including National Trust, little bookshop, nice gift shop, Spar, bakers, butchers, fruit and veg and a couple of chip shops. There is a place that sells buckets and spades and fishing nets and a couple of ice cream sellers. About 3 pubs and a cafe. It's tiny. It's hardly Blackpool. There is nothing except the beaches (beautiful), Farne Island boat trips (stunning), one small arcade. Bamburgh, Embleton, Druridge Bay, Holy Island all close by and amazing places.

Stop talking about the Northumberland coast. We like to keep it a secret. You'll have a lovely time.

It was a friend of dmils. She apparently looked horrified when dmil told her where we are going and asked if it was too late to change the booking! To be fair dmil laughed about it when she told and said she's just a massive snob but it got me worrying (and googling...)

Just opened my good food magazine this month - page 138 all about places to eat in and around seahouses! Get yourself a copy!

The fish and chips are excellent/ verging on outstanding.The trips to the Farne Islands fabulous, hear the seals singing. A friend has a flat there and says it's great in the evening, after the crowds. Pre children it wasn't really my bag, post children it's fine. And a good centre for lots of other things.

The fish and chips were nearly up to cleethorpes standard.