Northumberland coast?

[TinfoilHattie]

We're considering a week self-catering in a cottage on the Northumberland coast later in the year. Don't know this part of the world at all so if anyone has experiences of villages like Boulmer, Craster, Seahouses, Beadnell or Bamburgh I'd appreciate feedback!!

We're looking for somewhere fairly quiet, as long as there is somewhere we can buy bread/milk we're happy, good beaches, things to do within striking distance, possibility of going into Newcastle for the day. Don't want to be as far north as Berwick.

We stayed in Beadnell last year. Basic shopping, but fabulous beach and good car access to castles, Lindisfarne etc. We walked to Seahouses up the beach for a pub lunch.

House was uninspiring modern one but enough bedrooms, bathrooms etc, so did the job.

We stayed in Seahouses last year. It's the most "touristy" of all the villages you mentioned, but we loved it. We've also stayed in Craster and Beadnell which again are lovely. Watched an episode of Vera on Sunday which was set in Seahouses and the Farne Islands and I wish we'd booked Northumberland again rather than the Lakes for Easter!

We stayed in Embleton (we live in Newcastle) and it was beautiful.

Bamburgh is lovely.

Id go back to either of these.

Seahouses is ok but not too remote.

Craster, beadnell or bamburgh are all lovely and very close to each other. Lovely part of the world

Bamburgh is the best beach ever -

We have stayed in both beadnell and sea houses and both are lovely, and a good base for travelling further out to other castles (holy island is a must). Our favourite walk is walking along the coastal path from beadnell to the little pub at low newton by the sea and back again (just over 7 miles).

Bamburgh is stunning. Seahouses has the most to do in terms of cafes, fish and chips, shops and a little amusements and the boat rides to see the seals. Wherever you stay you can visit the other places easy enough so I would just find the accomodation that suits you best and go from there.

We stayed just outside Bamburgh. It is stunning with a castle right on a perfect beach. Nice little shops and a tea room too.

They are all lovely, but in my dreams I am going to retire to Alnmouth.

If you end up in the right bit for it, I would highly recommend a trip to Warkworth village (just down the coast from Alnmouth, by about 2 miles?). It has a great castle, pretty river, an old hermitage carved into the rock on the far side of the river which you need to get ferried across to in a little rowing boat, and the village itself is very pretty - couple of pubs, chocolate shop, great cafe that opened last year (Bertrams). Good for a day out!

I'm rather biased, cos I live here, but basically, just about everywhere on the coast north of Blyth is absolutely stunning. There's not a lot to do, mind, but if that's your thing, then it's perfect. It's also worth travelling further inland, too, because the countryside is pretty damned gorgeous as well.

I second Alnmouth, btw, beautiful little place.

We are staying in Alnmouth at Easter. Lovely village with plenty of pubs/eating places, great beach and within a shortish drive of Bamburgh, Seahouses etc. Also close to Alnwick castle and gardens. DC are early teens and are really looking forward to their hols.

Thanks ladies, saw that episode of Vera and wondered if it was seahouses. Luckily our October half term week isn't the same as English half term week so there will be plenty of accommodation to choose from

We had a nightmare finding a cottage we liked in one of those places for August and we were looking in January! We ended up booking one in a tiny village called Ellingham nr Newton by the Sea. We realised everywhere is pretty close if you have a car so went for a cottage we liked over the location. It was also a bit cheaper not being in a tourist town

"They are all lovely, but in my dreams I am going to retire to Alnmouth."

We seem to know and like the same places BikeRunSki. OH is from Northumberland and we will be visiting Alnmouth at Easter. I love the place.

Was going to say Alnmouth too, I love it there.
Bamburgh is stunning and a beautiful beach, but it was the only place in Northumberland we felt the people in the shops and cafes weren't overwhelming friendly.