Northumberland... a beach lovers paradise

Northumberland is most famous for its beautiful countryside and its majestic castles and historic sites, but one of its greatest assets are its miles of pale golden sands that stretch along its rugged heritage coastline. These shores also teem with wildlife and are dotted with some incredible landmarks. And before you discard the idea of a summer exploring these un-spoilt beaches because of the climate, then think again. You'll be amazed how warm the summer months of July and August can be up North and the North Sea temperatures can be very easily remedied with a cheap summer wetsuit.

For those who like a little culture, history and plenty of outdoor activities within miles of spectacular natural beauty then this is the perfect place to come and holiday. There are few coastal regions in the UK that possess such a high concentration of beautiful un-spoilt shores in such a small area that remain un-crowded with the added bonus of a high number of beachfront holiday homes to rent. Starting at the Scottish border is Berwick upon Tweed, a fabulous historic coastal town on the Northern tip of Northumberland. This is a fascinating town with a split identity and an adorable accent. These people are half Scottish and half English and quite proud of it. Berwick has history, architecture, a lively culture and a bustling art scene. Its beaches are beautiful and, as with the majority of Northumberland, it brims with wildlife. Visitors will love the pubs, cafes, restaurants and coastal cottages that abound here.

Very close to Berwick lies the national park of Lindisfarne and Holy Island, a rustic and idyllic tidal island that connects to the mainland by a strip that is covered at high tide. Its history is of pilgrimage and medieval knights and it has a very definite mystical feel about it. But what makes this place so special are the several stunning pale sandy beaches backed by dunes that surround this mound and contrast so dramatically with the early castle that watches over the island. A little further south lies another iconic beach which is named after the awesome castle that guards it. This beach is laden with powdery white sand, great dunes and blue waters that curve as far as the eye can see. The beach is overlooked by two castles, Lindisfarne castle, which shimmers in the distance off-shore on Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle, which towers majestically out of pure rock-face over its idyllic dunes. This has to be Northumberland's most beautiful beach and yet it is never crowded, perhaps due to its sheer length and breadth.

A few miles beyond Bamburgh lies Seahouses, an historic fishing village famous for its fishing heritage and the launching point for boat trips out to the Fare Islands' National Trust Park where visitors enjoy getting really close-up to the North Sea's wildlife. Here there are seal sanctuaries and huge colonies of seabirds, most notably Puffins but there are over twenty other varieties to spot. The most popular beach here is the North Beach, a massive stretch of sand that is lined with gorgeous dunes. The South Beach is equally beautiful and a little more deserted. Seahouses village is a great place to enjoy Northumberland's best seafood delicacies and to soak up the warm Northern culture. There are lots of self-catering beach cottages to rent in Northumberland, so finding somewhere to stay shouldnt be too difficult. South again lies Dunstanburgh Beach is a stretch of shore that is piled high with golden sand and dunes, it has a local pub and is attached to a very rural little village which happens to have a great golf course. It is also decorated with yet another castle and has two lovely bays to choose from.

Alnmouth Beach is next on the coastline and offers a perfect wide bay of soft sand backed by deep dunes. This is a very rural place, far away from action packed towns or cities but you are only a short drive away from the historic town of Warkworth, a sweet little coastal spot that also has a delightful beach just a mile from the centre. This is yet another very similar stretch of perfect golden sand lined with dunes that are a lot of fun to dive from! Druridge Bay is another dune deliverer, with towering banks of sand that provide idyllic picnicking and a day's worth of athletic leaping into soft sand from great heights for the kids. There are a few pubs within a few miles and there is always an ice-cream van but that is all you get in these rural parts so it’s not a bad idea to pack a picnic. Beyond Druridge Bay lies Newcastle, a vibrant city with some great city beaches including Seaton Sluice, Whitley Bay and Tynemouth but they are a very different breed and are accessorized by the usual British arcades and attractions.

So there you have it, an absolute smorgasbord of beaches to be enjoyed up North… bet you’re just a little surprised.