The village of Bamburgh sits 2.5 miles away with friendly local shops, quaint tea-rooms, cosy pubs and restaurants as well as miles upon miles of stunning white sands within walking distance it is part of the reason visitors return to this area year-after-year, and why it remains one of the most popular beach destinations in England.

For dining-out, you can enjoy fantastic fresh seafood at The Potted Lobster located in the heart of the village; the Castle Hotel for a hearty pub meal and pretty beer garden; or the Victoria Hotel if you like great pub food and some chat next to the fire. Alternatively try The Wyndenwell for an ice-cream, cake and coffee stop, or the Copper Kettle, a characterful little tea-room serving a selection of freshly baked scones and light-bites. For something a bit more informal en-route to the beach, The Hut sits on the edge of the sand dunes for a delicious bacon butty or a kipper bun.

For provisions, The Pantry is a super deli selling meats, cheeses, preserves, freshly baked bread and smoked fish as well as lots of naughty puddings which all come from renowned local suppliers across the area. For picnics or lunches on-the-go, they will prepare sandwiches on request along with freshly ground coffee, or can arrange for food hampers full of gourmet goodies to be made up for your arrival at your holiday home. J Carter has been the village butchers for 125 years serving only the finest locally produced meat, homemade pies and award winning bacon which is cured and smoked on the premises. The nearest Co-op supermarket can be found in nearby Seahouses.

The beach at Bamburgh is a wonderful spot for families, walkers and water sports enthusiasts. Surfing and windsurfing is highly rated here with waves naturally breaking to the left and right as a result of the numerous sandbars along its length, and while there is no lifeguard cover on this section, it is seen as a safe spot for swimming.

Alternatively, six miles south of Bamburgh, 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.

Sitting in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within the Lindisfarne Nature Reserve, nature lovers, birdwatchers and photographers will be captivated by the vast variety of wildlife and birdlife at nearby Budle Bay.

Holy Island is also a hot spot for vast numbers of migrant species, including the chance to see the odd grey seal bobbing inquisitively in the sea or basking on the sand flats while sightings of minke whales and white-beaked dolphins can also be spotted here in calm sea conditions.

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 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 from Seahouses (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.

Walking and cycling in this area is a delight with an abundance of trails and waymarked routes suitable for all ages and abilities. Take the four mile circular walk from Bamburgh to Budle Bay with your four-legged friend, where you can experience amazing sunsets over the bay, or for cyclists, there are family routes, leisure routes, and mountain biking trails with everything from easy coastal stretches to high energy treks.

The whole area is bursting with things to do, dotted by a trail of castles and fortifications interspersed with pretty seaside villages all the way up and down the coast. The skyline is dominated by the dramatic outline of Bamburgh Castle from miles around, and a visit will allow you to experience over two thousand years of fascinating history with dark tales of royal rebellion, turbulent battles, and stories of powerful legend and folklore.

Finally, cross the causeway to Holy Island to trace the legend of St. Cuthbert; head to Craster to sample their legendary oak smoked kippers; visit the beautiful gardens at Howick Hall; or head inland to experience the medieval splendour of Alnwick Castle with its fantastic child-friendly activity programme inspired by the wizardly magic and broomstick antics of Harry Potter.

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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Horse riding

Horse riding is intrinsically linked to the history and heritage of the area and goes right back to the 13th and 14th centuries where townspeople would ride the clan’s boundaries to protect their common lands. Thankfully our riding pursuits today are not quite so dramatic!

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Shopping, arts and crafts

We are extremely fortunate to have a region where independent shops are king, and to have an area flowing with creativity through its talents in arts, crafts and textiles.

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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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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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Spas and beauty treatments

Everyone needs a little time-out to relax and for many that may involve a little pampering, the chance to experience new therapies, or simply some dedicated ‘me time’ to enjoy or practise disciplines which bring a sense of well-being and good health.

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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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