Bamburgh & the Coast

The Northumberland coast north of Alnmouth is one long run of dune-backed beaches, dramatic castles and small fishing villages, with Bamburgh Castle as its best-known landmark.

Bamburgh Castle sits on a great outcrop of volcanic rock directly above the beach, and its scale and setting make it one of the most photographed castles in England — it's been the site of a fortification since at least the early medieval period, though most of what stands today reflects centuries of later rebuilding and restoration. The village below is small, and the beach that runs beneath the castle is one of the widest and least crowded stretches on the whole coast.

A little further north, Holy Island — Lindisfarne — is only reachable across a tidal causeway that floods twice a day, so any visit has to be timed against the published safe crossing times. The island's priory ruins mark one of the most significant early centres of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England, and the island's isolation for several hours at a time is part of what keeps it feeling distinct from the mainland. Offshore from Bamburgh and Seahouses, the Farne Islands are a seabird and grey seal breeding site, reachable by boat trips run seasonally from Seahouses harbour.

Choosing a base

Seahouses is the main working harbour along this stretch and the usual departure point for Farne Islands boat trips, with a wider range of places to stay than Bamburgh village itself. Bamburgh is quieter and puts you right by the castle and beach, while Alnmouth or Alnwick work better if you want a base with good rail or road links and don't mind a short drive up the coast.

Where to Stay in Bamburgh & Seahouses

• 
  The Victoria HotelOn the village green in Bamburgh, overlooked by the castle.
• 
  The Lord Crewe ArmsGrade II listed pub with rooms on Bamburgh's Front Street.
• 
  The Bamburgh Castle InnHarbourside in Seahouses, with views to Bamburgh Castle and the Farne Islands.
• 
  The Olde Ship InnLong-established inn near Seahouses harbour.
• 
  Beadnell Towers HotelIn the coastal village of Beadnell, a short drive south of Bamburgh.

Practical notes

Always check the official Holy Island crossing times before setting out — the causeway floods on a schedule tied to the tides, not the clock, and cars have been caught out badly underestimating it. Farne Islands boat trips are weather-dependent and often reduced or cancelled outside the main season, so it's worth building some flexibility into a coastal itinerary.