northumberland ?

[Elpenor]

Are you looking for any specific recommendations?

If you’re staying in Sunderland then the area around Seaburn and Roker is good for beaches and food. If you’re going into Newcastle then it’ll probably be easier on the Metro. Also if you get an all zone day tickets that’s also valid on the Shields ferry, if you fancy the scenic route

I've not been to Beamish for years, but that’ll probably take a full day to do properly.

You can’t really go wrong in that part of Northumberland. Pick a village on the coast and it’ll probably be nice

Thanks that’s very helpful particularly for the tips around Sunderland / Newcastle for my pre Northumbria part of the holiday.

My plan in Northumbria is to get in some walking along the coast, visit the castles, and the mining museum mentioned above sounds fantastic.

I think there have been so many great suggestions already that I have plenty of options

 

[hash tag]

I've not been to Beamish for years, but that’ll probably take a full day to do properly.

At least, depending on what day of course and how much is open.

 

[hash tag]

My turn for Northumberland. Thinking of heading up mid October for a few nights and am considering staying in Blyth or Beal. Top of my list is Cragside. Lindisfarne and Bamburgh up there with the NE coast and maybe Berwick. I would love to nip across to Coldstream for an hour or two........

 

[Chilli.s]

My turn for Northumberland. Thinking of heading up mid October for a few nights and am considering staying in Blyth or Beal. Top of my list is Cragside. Lindisfarne and Bamburgh up there with the NE coast and maybe Berwick. I would love to nip across to Coldstream for an hour or two........

Id miss Blyth altogether, anywhere north of there is ok though

 

[hash tag]

Id miss Blyth altogether, anywhere north of there is ok though

I was thinking of staying at commissioners quay.

 

[quimcunx]

I had a lovely couple of days in Alnwick and Alnmouth last August. But everywhere in Alnmouth stops serving food at 8.30/9. There was a parade of us trying to find somewhere that would serve food at 8.55. The place I was staying said no until one of them realised I was a guest there. Best butter chicken ever. Possibly because I was starving.

I wasn't massively impressed by Alnwick Gardens.

 

[neonwilderness]

I was thinking of staying at commissioners quay.

It’s fine there, but the rest of the town doesn’t have much going for it. They have other places at Amble and Alnwick which might be better placed for you?

 

[hash tag]

Amble was a possibility, was looking for a hotel by the sea.

 

[Chilli.s]

Amble has some great beaches, fantastic Puffin Cruises from the harbour, good car boot sale at weekends and a fab chippy (harbour fish bar) Not renowned for hotels though

 

[hash tag]

Same chain; the Amble Inn.
Does the harbour fish bar do anything vegetarian? A beach is not a deal breaker but looking forward to some coastal walks.

 

[Chilli.s]

Same chain; the Amble Inn.
Does the harbour fish bar do anything vegetarian? A beach is not a deal breaker but looking forward to some coastal walks.

Amble inn I have been past but never visited, it is out of the town center. Dont know about vegetarian options and harbour fish bar unlikely to cater . Must warn you that Amble is a town that was once a highly industrialised area (not anymore) and is only recently taking on a more modern feel. If you like ice cream Spirellis is worth a visit. Cragside you know about and I really like. Also inland and a good walk is Simonside, no facilities, good walk though. The coast from Amble harbour south along the beach is an interesting walk too, a bit tide dependant but worth it.
I know you like driving and the roads there I find great as they are so quiet compared to the south and you can park anywhere for nothing, like back to the 70s.
Hope you have a wonderful time

 

[hash tag]

We like a bit of industry/engineering especially Victorian stuff. Also like places with an edgelands feel. It is because of the "driving" that I've a mind to visit coldstream.

 

[neonwilderness]

Definitely Cragside for Victorian engineering

Cambois and North Blyth beaches (other side of the river from Commissioners Quay) are quite industrial and are usually a lot quieter than the popular ones



Depending on how much driving you want to do the Kielder forest drive might be worth a look too - Kielder Forest Drive

 

[Elpenor]

Keep the tips coming

 

[hash tag]

I have been to Kielder and will do it again, but thats for another day.
Also, cycled C2C twice, once off road once by road ( both fantastic ).
Whitehaven - South Shields and St Bees to Berwick

 

[Chilli.s]

How did you get on hash tag?

 

[hash tag]

Oh sorry, its not for a while yet. We are off down South to sunny Poole next week. It will be a few weeks before heading up there.
I have been trying to make a list of places to stay but my heads in a mess at the moment and will book when I am recovered from my nights.

 

[Elpenor]

When do you go hash tag ?

I’m there from 30th September

 

[hash tag]

When do you go hash tag ?

I’m there from 30th September

Not totally sure yet, sept/Oct time being well. Got to get through next week first

 

[Calamity1971]

Same chain; the Amble Inn.
Does the harbour fish bar do anything vegetarian? A beach is not a deal breaker but looking forward to some coastal walks.

This one in amble does veggie and vegan.
I'd give seahouses a look if your up near beal/holy island.

Queens Plaice

Online ordering from Queens Plaice

queensplaice.touchtakeaway.net

 

[Elpenor]

Had a good reread of this thread

I’ve got a rough idea of what to do on each day of my holiday now though I’ll expect to juggle things around to fit the tides

Are there any particular beaches I should try to get to for a walk. I see Alnmouth to Warkworth was recommended earlier on

 

[hash tag]

I've just booked our stay.
Somewhere else I might try and get to is Berwick. I went there years ago and looked an interesting little place.

 

[Calamity1971]

I've just booked our stay.
Somewhere else I might try and get to is Berwick. I went there years ago and looked an interesting little place.

Can be quite rowdy on a night. But it is a nice place.

 

[Smokeandsteam]

We've just booked for January next year. Cottage by the beach: cold, dark, wet/snow. Cannot wait.

 

[hash tag]

We've just booked for January next year. Cottage by the beach: cold, dark, wet/snow. Cannot wait.

Mrs tag won't do self catering. She hates the idea that she or even I might have to cook while we are on holiday. She loves the treat of a hotel breakfast.

 

[hash tag]

Are there any local foods worth trying?

 

[Raheem]

Kippers were supposedly invented in Craster, and there's a smokehouse there.

I'm currently in Northumberland, just fwiw.

 

[hash tag]

Kippers are definitely out, for both of us.

 

[Pickman's model]

Kippers are definitely out, for both of us.

That's so sad to hear

 

[kebabking]

We had excellent Northumberland sausages from the Butcher in Wooler - a bit like Cumberland sausage, but a bit different.

Personally I'd just go for local produce rather than local food - fantastic seafood, great lamb from Cheviot...