Kate Atkin
19 April 2018
A holiday to the charming fishing village of Seahouses offers plenty to captivate visitors in this picturesque part of the Northumberland Coast AONB. Its proximity to rare and beautiful wildlife, unbeatable sea views and a wealth of fun activities both on the water and on dry land promise an unforgettable UK break. With so many fantastic experiences to discover, we have narrowed down five of our favourite things to do during your stay in Seahouses to ensure you see the very best of our wonderful region.
1.Build sandcastles on Seahouses beach
The sweeping, golden sands of Seahouses beach makes for a thrilling day of building sandcastles, playing hide and seek in its grassy dunes, exploring rockpools and paddling in the sea. Dogs are welcome to join in the fun throughout the year with no restrictions and with facilities nearby including a café, toilets and a shop, it offers an amazing day out for families.
On clear days the Farne Islands can be seen in the distance, making this a perfect spot for birdwatchers and leisurely walkers, while anglers can enjoy the rich bounties of the sea, and surfers can ride the waves. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of grey seals basking in the sunshine or bobbing about in the turquoise water.
2. Cross the causeway to Holy Island
When the tides are out, skim over the sands and take an adventure across the causeway to Holy Island, an enchanting village boasting a wealth of history within its tidal walls. Rising from the dramatic rock face at the tip of the island is Lindisfarne Castle, a unique 16th century fortress, restored by renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1901. You can also see Lindisfarne Priory, one of Northumberland’s most revered treasures that was once the epicentre of Christianity in Anglo Saxon times and remains a place of pilgrimage today.
Holy Island is also home to several internationally important species of wildfowl and wading birds who are attracted to its protected tidal mudflats, saltmarshes and dunes that form the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve. A day trip here is essential for birdwatchers, walkers and families who are searching for wild coastal beauty, fascinating history and an abundance of interesting wildlife. Just remember that Holy Island is cut off by the sea at high tide, so be sure to check the safe tide times ahead of your trip!
3. Discover the history of Bamburgh Castle
Seahouses is only three and a half miles from the iconic Bamburgh Castle, a fortress rich in incredible history, awe-inspiring views and a treasure trove of artefacts telling the dark tales of its tumultuous and bloody past. One of the largest inhabited castles in the country, it has stood guard over Northumberland’s spectacular coastline for over 1400 years.
Watch kids faces light up as they learn of the castle’s intriguing myths and spellbinding legends and explore 14 fascinating rooms adorned with over 3000 items from armour, to fine porcelain and furniture. It’s easy to see why this magnificent building has been used as the location for a variety of blockbusters including Transformers 5, The BFG and Macbeth.
4. Stroll along Northumberland’s Coast Path
Stretching along the entire 62-mile long coastline, the Northumberland Coast Path offers some of the finest coastal walking in Europe. From Seahouses, you have the option to follow the trail to Craster in the south which takes in the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle and the mesmerizingly beautiful beaches of Beadnell Bay, Low Newton and Embleton Bay.
You can also trek to Belford in the north which passes through the historic village of Bamburgh, dominated by Bamburgh Castle and Budle Bay which is a National Nature Reserve boasting views across the water of Holy Island and Lindisfarne Castle. Whichever route you choose, you are sure to be blown away by the unforgettable views, fresh sea air and a plethora of wildlife along the way.
5. Sample traditionally smoked kippers
One of our favourite delicacies from this part of Northumberland are kippers – butterflied smoked herring. Revered across the world, kippers are still smoked in the traditional way at Swallow Fish, a long-established family business that uses the last fully operational, 19th-century smokehouse in Seahouses.
Swallow Fish has featured on TV as part of Keith Floyd’s Around Britain series, and was hailed as one of Rick Stein’s Original Food Heroes. Visitors are more than welcome to The Fisherman’s Kitchen where Swallow Fish is based, to browse their display of historic fishing photographs and purchase this unique delicacy to take back home and try.
Where to stay
Whether you’re looking for the perfect romantic getaway or a family-friendly destination, Seahouses offers a wealth of things to see and do, and a stay in one of our Seahouses cottages will cater for your every need.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.