Bamburgh and the Heritage coast
The small village of Bamburgh is dominated by the massive basalt outcrop upon which stands the magnificent Bamburgh castle. There are a number of fine pubs and places to eat.
Fortifications at Bamburgh date from early Anglo-Saxon times but the present castle, although it looks medieval, dates from the late 19th century.
The castle was restored by the first Lord Armstrong, the great Victorian engineer. There is an armoury, a fine collection of works of art and the Armstrong Museum at the castle, which is open to the public.
Travel south from Bamburgh and you quickly reach Seahouses from where there are boats to the Farne Islands - a series of rocky outcrops, home to many thousands of seabirds including the burrowing puffin as well as a colony of seals. A short drive to the north is the Island of Lindisfarne, the Holy Island which can only be reached at low tide. A ruined priory and a romantic castle can be visited.
There are miles of beach walks, unspoilt dunes and other castles and villages dotted along the coastline. Drive inland and there are more castles, including the one at Alnwick and, of course, the now famous Alnwick Garden. So much to see and do...
