Nervous about Holiday cottage in Bamburgh

[slfk3]

We have a week booked for a holiday cottage in Bamburgh in a few weeks time, live in Suffolk so it's a five hour drive with three children and dog. Has anyone done a similar trip during this covid business? Feeling nervous about the trip up in terms of stopping and safe places to stop, husbands high risk because of age and pre existing conditions but not in the imminent death category IYSWIM. Once you got to your holiday destination did you feel comfortable or wish you hadn't gone? Worried we will get up there and stick out and have funny looks from locals of the "why the hell have you traveled sort" but equally appreciate places and people need income during holidays as well. Holiday letting people say we can rebook for next year so if we don't go we forfeit the £1500ish for the cottage.
Don't think it helps having three boys who would be completely happy never getting dressed or leaving the house again that we aren't very good at going on holiday under normal circumstances, but that's another post entirely! Anyhow, would appreciate ants relevant feedback/advise!

Bugger, can't rebook, sorry, not can!

If I were you I would go. But it depends how worried you are going to be.
Click and collect a big shop near your arrival destination so you don’t have to stress about popping to shops.
I really don’t think anyone is going to be looking at you, it’s very normal for people to be travelling and going on U.K. breaks seems a good idea, especially when compared to international travel right now. Holiday cottages will all be being cleaned and aired to high standard, take some wipes and go over the surfaces before DH enters if you are concerned.

If you are going to be stressed though and it’s not worth it for your family then don’t go.
Me, I would be there like a shot.

I’m near there now and it’s beautiful. We only had to drive 3 hours, 3 kids and the dog and managed no stops. Once you’re on the A1 you’ll be fine, going through Newcastle is easy.

There are PLENTY of people here on holiday, and nobody has looked at us twice.

One little tip, go to Beadnell Bay- the beach is amazing and dog friendly with easy access, the toilets are right next to it (and open) and there’s a hot food ‘shack’ called ‘Bait’ which is amazing.

I would definitely go.

I'm in the same boat- driving 6 hours to see family- got an Airbnb locally. Can't wait. We won't be stopping at service stations though. Unless for quick stop. We will find somewhere for a picnic and walk our dog we're taking. We will take food and I'll just shop small locally . Click and collect really good idea. I went to try and book another night somewhere and everywhere in the area is booked out so other people are doing too .

Ooo! Thank you! That's so reassuring, we will have to make one stop on the way. Had booked a tesco delivery for the day after we get there as hoped to avoid shops and get ready meals to give myself a break. I think the biggest worry was getting there and feeling like people wanted us to go away, can't say I would blame them. I feel like if we don't go I may get a bit cabin feverish come a long bleak Covid winter. Hopefully it won't be but who knows.

Thank you for the tip on beadnell bay!

I’d be there in a shot op, you won’t stick out in Bamburgh it’s has lots of tourists generally.
As for stopping- we stopped at a service station on Tuesday and they had done it quite well one way system and antibacterial gel everywhere.
Could you pack a flask of tea and make sandwiches so all your husband needs to do is use the loo? Alternatively could you travel early on so services not so busy?
The area is beautiful and as mentioned above do a click and collect and enjoy the beaches.

Re stopping, I had thought to stop at cusworth hall instead of service station, it's about half way and just outside Doncaster, anyone know it?

Bamburgh is probably one of the best places to go tbh OP. Miles of empty beaches and lots of options for food and trips out.

Have a look at the Coastal Custodian - Northumberland on Facebook for loads of fab places to visit.

I honestly think you will be fine. There are a lot of tourists in the holiday homes in Bamburgh. The beach can be busy on a sunny day but empty on a day with bad weather (but visible dolphins).

A lot of cafes are open. Northumberland is dependant on tourism for many incomes. We are pleased people have come. Follow the distancing guidelines and be sensible. The supermarkets are ok (the village shop in Bamburgh is tiny).

Go. Have a great time and don't give it enough thought. It will do you all the world of good to have a break away from home and the cycle of not getting dressed. It's a wonderful place and you've picked well. It's not too busy either compared to many other coastal destinations.

You won't stick out. There will be other holidaymakers. And everyone knows it is ok to travel now.

Plus, it is one of the best places in England to have chosen, because the miles and miles of huge beautiful beaches are never crowded, even in normal times, making social distancing easy.

Local businesses will be so pleased to see you. You will be helping the local economy.

I hope that you have a wonderful holiday.

My tip for local area, drive to Ingram and you can park up by the river and have a lovely picnic. It’s really beautiful and there’s a walk to a waterfall (Linhope Spout) but that tends to get fairly busy if weather is good.

I know of cusworth hall. What's your question about it?
Not been for a few years.
Your chances of picking anything up from stopping at one place is very minimal regardless of where you stop.
You sound very anxious. I would go on the trip and enjoy. Northumberland is lovely, some of the beaches are huge and should be relatively peaceful compared to many down south.

Friend just returned from close to there and I know it well. Great choice - take masks and hand sanitizer and all will be fine.

Locals will be delighted to have someone come to appreciate their lovely area. It isn’t manic like Cornwall etc.

We got an online shop to our holiday cottage (different area) and didn’t go into any shops.

Loads of tourists everywhere. Have fun!

I would stop at Sherwood Forest visitor centre if the forecast good - great marked trails, no need to go indoors, completely outdoors food sales with contactless payment from a safe food van with seller behind Perspex - lovely wraps, drinks, hot drinks, ice cream.

Just go. We are on holiday in the UK at the moment (rural) and I’m so glad we came. It has done us all the world of good. We stopped once on the way. Very quiet at service station and we ate a picnic we had taken outside in the picnic area. Online shop ordered. It’s been fine. It’s been brilliant actually, and I was edgy like you. But we’ve just been careful like we are at home but still done lots of walks etc. We’ve not eaten out yet but have bought coffees etc. Enjoy your break - you need it!

We're going to that area next week. I would also rather stay at home but Dh really wants to get away. I need to stop being so pathetic and just enjoy it.

You're lucky to have a cottage booked - I've been trying and there's nothing decent left! If you change your mind about going I will happily take the booking! Go and have a brilliant time.

I have no knowledge of the area however I would go and you've been getting some great tips on here.
Also on another note I love The Last Kingdom show on Netflix and Bamburgh is in the story line. I've been Googling recently and it looks gorgeous!

Bamburgh village is 5 mins from Seahouses on the coast. Get fish and chips from the great chippy there on your first night before your food shop arrives.

I haven’t travelled that far so can’t help with that, but if I were you I would probably go.

If you really don’t want to go have you considered reselling the holiday? Demand is so high it would probably be fairly easy to do (obviously check terms with owner/agent)

You will have a amazing time op! I’m also very eek about covid but we loved our stay

We went to Northumberland a couple of weeks ago. We’re in the National Trust so stopped at Mount Grace Priory off the A19 for loo, picnic and a leg stretch. You have to pre book NT but they have clean open loos, takeaway coffee and are good for kids to run around.
In Northumberland we enjoyed Craster/ Dunstanburgh Castle. A lovely walk and nice fish at the Jolly Fisherman.
Bamburgh Castle is open with social distancing- enjoyed that.
Beaches- we liked Embleton but all are beautiful up there.
Not much open on Lindisfarne.
We also did Wallington NT and have done Cragside before.
Next time we want to do Alnwick Castle, Gardens and crazy golf.
No one will look at you strangely and you will have a lovely time!

If you want somewhere quieter to hang out on the beach then head to Goswick / Cheswick.