Wamsas Retreat

Seahouses is a popular holiday resort sitting within the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and features a bustling working harbour, beautiful beaches, and a pretty coastal village with an array of friendly shops, cosy pubs, cafes and restaurants. It is seen as the gateway for sea voyages to the Farne Islands and is a fantastic base to explore the wider Northumberland area.

Wamsas Retreat is situated just a short walk from the shops and amenities of the village in one direction with the pretty harbour area beyond. You will find plenty of good eating places nearby - experience the rich maritime connections of The Old Ship Inn for tasty food and a good selection of real ales while soaking-up the unique nautical features of this characterful pub; or the Bamburgh Castle Inn situated above the old lime kilns by the harbour is another popular choice serving a menu full of fresh local flavours with lovely panoramic sea views from its terrace and beer garden. Alternatively, why not try The Black Swan, a newly-opened bistro pub within the town offering a range our mouth-watering dishes? There is always a fresh supply of fish and seafood on the restaurant menus in this area, and fans of the traditional British takeaway can savour some of the best lightly battered fish and chips whilst watching the comings and goings of life on the quayside here.

Most of the shopping in Seahouses is on Main Street which has a newsagents, bakery, chemist, fishmongers, and deli, as well as gift shops and a small Co-op supermarket. More extensive shopping, local producers, and a number of large supermarkets can be found in the historic market town of Alnwick which sits just 15 miles south of Seahouses.

No visit to this area should go by without a visit to the Farne Islands, and a recent accolade by Sir David Attenborough should leave you in no doubt as to its credentials when he declared it his favourite place in the UK to capture nature at its very best. Charters from the harbour run every day (weather permitting) and you will be enthralled by the thousands of breeding sea-birds and seals taking up every square foot of this incredible rocky outcrop, including over 37,000 pairs of characterful Puffins. The diving around this area is also a real treat with crystal clear waters, rich marine life, and numerous wrecks to explore, including the presence of those ever inquisitive grey seals!

There are beaches to the north and the south of the village, with the most popular being to the north, featuring great sweeping curves of white sand running almost seamlessly to Bamburgh and Budle Bay. This stretch is popular with families and is just made for lazy picnics and days out with a bucket and spade. Overlooked by the spectacular outline of Bamburgh Castle, you will find good local amenities around this area with toilet facilities, cafes and plenty of ice-cream stops.

Surfing and windsurfing is highly rated here with waves naturally breaking to the left and right as a result of numerous sandbars along its length, and while there is no lifeguard cover on this section, it is seen as a safe spot for swimming. Three miles south of Seahouses, you will find excellent watersports on the golden sands of Beadnell Bay where you can launch boats, rent surfboards, wetsuits and bikes or try your hand at kitesurfing, windsurfing, sea canoeing and waterskiing with accredited instructors.

For young explorers, pack a fishing net and spend a happy few hours rock-pooling for hermit crabs on the ‘Tumblers’, a rocky intertidal shore immediately adjacent the harbour at Seahouses, or head to Bamburgh Lighthouse at Harkness Rocks named by Countryfile as one of the top ten British rockpooling areas. Other child-friendly activities include the Seahouses Treasure Trail, a self-guided route which involves solving clues across the area to crack the final mystery - a fun way to spend a few hours, see the sights and keep family entertained.

For walking and cycling, the area offers some of the finest coastal routes in the country. The Northumberland Coastal Path and National Cycle Route 1 run right through this stretch taking in incredible cliff-top scenery and sandy beaches, interspersed with dramatic castles and pretty coastal villages with art galleries and craft shops. A little further inland will take you to a huge network of trails and waymarked routes involving gentle circular routes through scenic Border country to challenging long-distance trails amidst the dramatic beauty of the Northumberland National Park.

Visitors will be enchanted by the rich heritage of the area, where exceptional castles and grand stately homes punctuate the landscape all the way down the coast - Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh, Chillingham and Alnwick to name but a few. Follow in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims to the mystical Holy Island of Lindisfarne to complete the final journey of St. Cuthbert, or simply sit back and enjoy the breathtaking views from the sheltered dune-fringed sands of this uniquely special place.

While the area is a perfect summer destination, it is equally wonderful whatever the season. Wrap-up in woolly jumpers and walk the vast deserted beaches in the cooler months, throwing sticks for your four-legged friend, flying kites with children on blustery days, and watching the waves crash and tumble onto the headland with a warming hot-chocolate before heading home for an evening in front of the cosy wood-burning stove.

C&C experiences

We invite you to enjoy the most coveted and exclusive local experiences available in the North of England and the South of Scotland on your next Crabtree & Crabtree adventure.

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Children and families

Here at Crabtree & Crabtree, we like to think we’ve pulled together some rather nifty ideas to keep tots to teens happy and entertained during your stay.

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Fishing

Welcome to the realm of the king of fish, the mighty River Tweed. Every year thousands of Atlantic Salmon make their way up river, an annual odyssey that is one of nature's miracles.

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Historic houses and castles

With more stately homes, castles and historic sites here than you can shake a proverbial stick at, visitors are quite simply spoilt for choice.

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Wildlife

Our region is home to outstanding scenery which boasts emerald forests, pristine lochs and rivers, heathery hillsides, sweeping moorlands as well as a picture perfect coastline.

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Walking

From the lush green uplands to shimmering sea, the area boasts a hugely diverse and enticing landscape that is perfect for exploring on foot. From gentle rambles to long-distance hikes, there are a vast array of trails and waymarked routes for newbie walkers or experienced alike.

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Museums, galleries and culture

Our museums tell the story of Borders people and provide a unique insight into our region’s heritage and culture, such as the turbulent past of the Border Reivers or the tragic tale of exiled Mary Queen of Scots.

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Golf

There are 40 golf courses in Northumberland, and another 21 in the Scottish Borders offering visitors an incredibly wide and varied range of golfing options.

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Adventure Sports

If you love a challenge or just crave a little excitement away from the day-to-day bustle of working life, we have lots to offer - whether it be watery pursuits, muddy blasts or thrill seeking, adrenaline-charged adventures.

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Cycling & mountain biking

Whether you ride fast or slow, on-road or off-road, there is something uniquely special about enjoying some outdoor time on two wheels. Here in the region we have something for everyone from high-energy mountain biking blasts to gentle forest paths the whole family can enjoy.

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Shooting

For sheer variety alone Northumberland and the Scottish Borders are irresistible to any gun.

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Ancestral history research

Crabtree & Crabtree know that tracing the history of your family can be a wonderful journey of discovery. Here are our top tips for starting your family tree.

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