I’ve just returned from a mini-break in North Northumberland.
I really enjoyed travelling around that part of the county, meeting local business people and exploring the coast.
We stayed at Bamburgh Castle Inn, Seahouses, which is probably closer to the North Sea than any other hotel in Northumberland! And with this location the hotel offers the best views on the Northumberland coast.
From the restaurant you view Seahouses harbour, and then the Farne Islands and the vast expanse of the North Sea. The staff are really friendly and the rooms are warm and very comfortable, in fact I have to say it’s one of the best beds I’ve slept in!
Food at the inn is good, with a wide choice on the menu – much of it is local food. The restaurant and bar area are really cosy, with one end being dog-friendly.
The next day began with an invigorating walk along one of the best stretches of beach in the UK. It’s the best because the sands from Seahouses to Bamburgh offer stunning views, are a golden cream colour and are rich with wildlife.
Next was a stop at Springhill Farm run by Julie and Sarah Gregory. This is an exciting place because it’s a hub of entrepreneurship in the midst of open coutryside and beaches.
Julie and Sarah already operate self-catering accommodation, camping and caravanning. Exciting new developments include the creation of a bunkhouse. This will offer flexible, serviced accommodation for visitors who want something a bit better than traditional backpacker accommodation. The Lookout Bunkhouse will have 57 beds, access to communal bathroom and kitchen facilities and internet access.
Julie and Sarah are also about to complete the purchase of wooden wigwams from Scotland. These small, attractive structures allow for year-round holidays. Sleep in the warmth of a cosy wigwam and enjoy a barbeque and the site bathroom and cooking facilities. The wigwams will be in place for the Easter Holidays, and it all sounds pretty exciting to me!
The self-catering accommodation is truly superb. There are eight different units, all four and five-star. The Granary and The Hemmell were my favourites – spacious, rustic and homey.
We headed on to Slate Hall Riding Centre, Seahouses, to check out the stables and Springwood B&B. We were welcomed by Marian Nicol, who showed us around the stables, the arena and the B&B. This is an ideal spot for a secluded break. As well as riding and riding lessons, one can spot wildlife and use Springwood as a base for walks.
We finished our day with a tour of magnificent Bamburgh Castle. It sits high up on an outcrop of rock and offers amazing views along the coast and out to sea. The Grade 1 listed building is on the site of an ancient fort which is thought to have been the capital of the Kingdom of Northumbria many centuries ago.
There are archological digs continuing to this day in and around the castle. Some of the finds are historically significant and include the Bamburgh Sword, a unique Anglo-Saxon artifact which sheds light on that period in time.
North Nortumberland has so much to offer and these new offerings for visitors couldn’t come at a better time. Find out more by logging on to www.visitnorthumberland.com.
~ Sheelagh Caygill
Tags: berwick, coast, countryside
