Top Ten Things To Do (Plus a few more) :: Northumberland Coastal Retreats

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, The Seafarer's and The Look Out - 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 Dunstanburgh Castle - fish soup and crab sandwiches in the Jolly Fisherman pub (basic decor but great views and food). Stock up on freshly smoked kippers at Robson's Smokery in the village. Pop into Mick Oxley's art gallery and treat yourself to one of his beautiful contemporary originals or prints and see some unusual jewellrey by Green Tea. The Shoreline Cafe, next to the gallery, is worth a visit. With a log burner, outside seating area, cappuccinos and yummy homemade cakes (parsnip cake, pumpkin and carrot cake), its an ideal place for refreshments after a bracing walk.

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). 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 or delicious cappuccinos in the new cafe on the main street, 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 at Low Newton (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. If the Ship is full, walk up the road to the Joiners Arms in High Newton for a bar meal, drink in the bar or a full gastro meal

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! For more informal eating try the Pavilion in the Gardens. Browse round the shop in the gardens - they have a wonderful varied selection of garden and interior goodies as well as cards and gifts

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).

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 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 our friend Issie White (Tel 0191 2591405 ) or Fiona Burns 01289 388223) 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, read the papers and treat yourself to an Enid Blyton bargain or a cheap literary classic. The well stocked children's corner is popular as is the small cafe created from the waiting rooms. Afterwards, catch a movie at the Alnwick Playhouse (cinema night once a week) or pop into the contemporary Blackmore's Brasserie across the road for lunch or a drink. Blackmore's is nice for early bird suppers.

Make it easy for yourself and instead of slaving over the stove creating supper... www.emilybotham.com dinner party 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!

Smallest museum in the country, the Ferryman's Hut in Alnmouth. Worth a look. There's less floor space than a fitted wardrobe and filled with framed photos of the hut's history and assorted trinkets from the villages' past. Fishing boats sprawl outside and there may be a few locals who'll curate it from outside who can fill you in on the local history. Combine this with a leisurely walk along Alnmouth beach and pop into one of the eateries or pubs on the little high street or head to the club house of the golf club.