Things to do in Northumberland (our top ten list plus a few more!)
We're always being asked to recommend activities and places to visit. To be honest, there are so many exciting opportunities in this part of the country that we found it very difficult to condense our list! Here are just some of our favourite things to do!
Have a pint in the real ale pub just round the corner from the Plaice and the Fisherman's Retreat - Olde Ship Hotel, best real pub in the North East!! Homemade food, hundreds of whisky blends and a beer garden that overlooks the harbour - can't beat it!- Walk from Craster village to Dunstanborough Castle - fish soup and crab sandwiches in the Jolly fisherman (basic decor but great views and food). Stock up on freshly smoked kippers at Robson's Smokery in the village.
- Pamper session at the Ocean Club in Seahouses. Marine mud & essential oil wrap or a sea and senses hot stone massage? (You'll find the Ocean Club passes in the cottage). We have three specially priced pamper days arranged for our guests at the Ocean Club. Book well in advance for a Bronze, Silver or Gold Pamper Treat that includes coffee on arrival and compliementary access to the pool, sauna, gym, jacuzzi and steam room. See Ocean Club page on the website for further details.
- Beautiful walk from Seahouses to Bamburgh along the beach (at low tide, engine of ship wreck can be seen half way along). Have lunch in the Victoria Hotel then walk back at high tide along the beach.
- Walk from Beadnell along the beach, dunes, bays to Newton- by- the- Sea and have lunch in the Ship Inn (kipper sandwiches, cappuccinos, take a sweater as they don't always light the log burner during the day!). Football Cove is a real find, but don't swim there as the currents are strong. It's very sheltered and is a great place for sunbathing.
- Alnwick gardens, with run-through fountains, poison garden and sit-on tractors is a great day trip. No need to pack a picnic as the restaurants are fantastic, especially the Treehouse Restaurant which is actually in the treehouse!! The new Sanctuary Restaurant has just opened its doors too - in the courtyard of Alnwick Castle.
Have a traditional fish and chip lunch in Pinnacles in Seahouses (portions are large) and a quick fun visit into the amusement arcade! It'll bring back memories! Finish off with a delicious homemade ice cream from Coxons in Seahouses- Take afternoon tea in the Earl Grey Tearoom at Howick Gardens after a walk round the beautiful gardens. It's like stepping back in time and is a marvellous place for tea and cucumber sandwiches!
- A trip to Holy Island - about 25 mins drive to causeway. CHECK TIMETABLE AS EVERY WEEK A TOURIST GETS CAUGHT OUT!!. Try to time it so you are just coming off the island as the time comes in. Great watching the tide turn, remember to take your camera! Come back and visit the Life Boat Centre in Seahouses to read the list of all the rescue call outs - discover just how many tourists don't heed the tide timetables and have been stranded on the causeway!
- Bring your wetsuits and swim in the sea!!! Boogie boards a must! Fantastic! (you can buy reasonably priced wetsuits for children and adults in the Farne Island gift shop in Seahouses).
- Bring a portable BBQ and have a winter barbie on the beach. Rugs and jumpers essential!! We've found a superb spot on the rocks at Seahouses, next to the old war time amunitions hut. It's an amazing place to watch the sun go down while the children are doing a spot of fishing.
- Stock up on fresh fish from Swallow Fish just a few steps away from our Fisherman's Retreat and Seafarer's Cottage and cook a gourmet fish supper in your cottage! This is one of the last remaining smoking houses in the region. If he has the time, Patrick the owner, may give you a quick guided tour. Alternatively, order some freshly prepared dishes from www.wilkinsfinedining.com and have enough gourmet food delivered to your cottage to last you the duration of your stay!! Homebaked food every day without the fuss!
- Get out some of the board games and have an afternoon in front of the log burner with Monopoly or Animal Snap!
- A day at our favourite castle - Chillingham Castle near Chatton. Where else could you find such an eclectic mix of artifacts ranging from invitations from Buckingham Palace, personal letters from Jules Holland, stuffed alligators, old wooden skis used on Everest expeditions, suits of armour, torture chamber contraptions and letters warning you not to steal the silverware or you'll be struck down by the curse! It's the UK's most haunted castle apparantly! Cream teas sometimes served in the garden. Visit in the summer, as it's closed from the end of September (although they normally have a firework and bonfire party in the grounds over Nov 5 weekend). Ghost tours available throughout the winter too!
- Browse through thousands of second hand books at Barter Books in the old railway station at Alnwick. The fire will be lit, help yourself to coffee and treat yourself to an Enid Blyton bargain or a cheap literary classic. The well stocked children's corner is popular. Afterwards, catch a movie at the Alnwick Playhouse (cinema night once a week). Barter books in Seahouses also worth a visit.
- Make it easy for yourself and instead of slaving over the stove creating supper...book a Fresh Element dinner party (www.freshelement.co.uk) or a festive feast from www.wilkinsfinedining.com and enjoy your own gourmet food fayre in the comfort of your own cottage! Fantastic food, well chosen wine, 10 out of 10 for novelty factor and no washing up!
