Towns

Alnwick

This picturesque market town dates from medieval times.  It offers fine stone buildings, cobbled streets and narrow alleyways.  The streets are full of specialist shops and a visit can be combined with Alnwick Castle and Gardens, making an excellent day out.

Beadnell

Unique in having the only west-facing harbour on the east coast, Beadnell has two 19th century preserved lime kilns standing by the harbour offering great photo opportunities.

Berwick-upon-Tweed

Strategically placed at the mouth of the river Tweed, Berwick has changed hands between the English and the Scots at least 13 times.  This explains the commanding fortifications which completely encircle the town and Berwick is famous for having some of the best preserved Elizabethan walls in Europe.  Here you will also find the UK’s first purpose built barracks, a unique Cromwellian church, an imposing Guild Hall and a spectacular view of the three bridges spanning the river Tweed estuary.

Coldstream

Home of the famous Coldstream Guards, Coldstream is the site of the first marriage house in Scotland on the Eastern road.  The Marriage Room was refurbished in 2007 and it is now rivalling the Blacksmith’s shop at Gretna Green as a venue for ‘eloping’ couples as there are no residential qualifications for marrying couples.

Craster

A traditional harbour town, the home of the Robson family, makers of the famous Craster Kippers.  Craster offers a stunning view of the spectacular ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle.  As you would expect from a town located in the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the local walks are breathtaking.

Eyemouth & St Abb’s

A Scottish fishing town with a natural harbour and fine coastal scenery, Eyemouth is now a popular diving centre with both shore diving opportunities and boat dives.  The crystal clear coastal waters off Eyemouth and the village of St Abb’s offer stunning underwater scenery and marine life, making this one of the top dive destinations in Europe.

Ford & Etal Estates

16,500 acres of the most beautiful and peaceful countryside in England.  There are castles and beautiful villages to visit and the only thatched pub in Northumberland.  Here you can ride on the 15″ gauge steam train which runs between Etal village and Heatherslaw Corn Mill.  This working water mill is driven by the river Till and is where locally grown wheat is ground into wholemeal flour by traditional methods.  You can also visit Lady Waterford Hall and marvel at the life size paintings decorating the walls.

Kelso

A thriving border town on the banks of the river Tweed at its junction with the river Teviot.  The town has a lovely French-style cobbled square.  There is a good offering of individual shops and cafes making this an ideal place to buy gifts.  You can also see the remains of a Romanesque abbey built in 1128.

Melrose

The ruined 12th century abbey is the burial place of a casket believed to hold the heart of Robert the Bruce.  The abbey is the starting point for St. Cuthbert’s Way, a 62 mile walking route leading to Lindisfarne.

Seahouses

The harbour at Seahouses bustles with activity – fishing boats, dive boats and pleasure craft carrying passengers to see the terns, puffins and seals around the Farne Islands all vie for attention.  Seahouses is also one of the best places to visit in Northumberland to sample truly great fish and chips.

Wooler

Wooler is an attractive stone built town on the edge of the Northumberland National Park and is better known as the gateway to the Cheviots.  The ancient market town, which is home to specialist shops and old inns, is well worth a stop-off for its surrounding scenery.