Alnmouth, Warkworth and Amble

If you’re staying in the area, drop into the revamped Scott’s of Alnmouth for breakfast, or a hot drink and a slice of homemade cake before popping into The Aln Gift Shop and Gallery to treat yourself to a nautical souvenir. If you’re into art, head to The Old School Gallery to browse a variety of original artwork and see their regular exhibitions. Don’t forget to sample some delicious wood-fired sourdough pizzas from BOX Pizza found in The Old School Gallery carpark. Visit the beach when the tide is out to capture the picture-perfect views across the sweeping sands. Catch your breath in The Village Tearooms, where you can refuel on coffee and cake surrounded by charming vintage decor. Fancy something a bit stronger? Make a pit stop at The Red Lion for a pint of locally-sourced real ale in their beer garden overlooking the estuary, or visit the family-run Bistro 23, a tearoom by day and bistro by night, based in an 18th century building with many of its original features. For keen golfers, there’s a nine-hole course in Alnmouth but if you’re up for more of a challenge head just a mile north to Foxton Hall, which boasts the fourth-oldest golf club in England overlooking the beautiful Alnmouth Bay.

There are plenty of routes in the area for walkers and cyclists to enjoy too. Take on the popular three and a half-mile route from Alnmouth, south along the coast towards Warkworth. Don’t forget to visit The Greenhouse here for unusual interior gifts, and find the perfect present at Grays. Refuel at Bertram’s Café, serving homemade cakes and scones, as well hearty soups and main meals, and inspect the majestic ruined medieval castle, before setting off along the riverbank south to Amble on the mouth of the River Coquet. Take a time check at the Amble Sundial – the largest gnomon in Europe – and follow the Town Trail before relaxing by the marina.  At the Coquet Shorebase Trust there’s plenty of fun to be had on the water (including canoeing, kayaking and even power-boating) and you need to treat yourself at Spurreli, the hugely-popular boutique ice cream parlour. Based in the Old Chandlery, they create the most innovative of ice creams and sorbets, and there are vegan ice cream options available too. Cross the road to see how the Harbour Village has been regenerated, with modern artisan pods now home to a variety of art, crafts, food and drink, and – if the sea air has got your tummy rumbling – check out The Old Boathouse for its scrumptious seafood platters or Sea & Soil for some meatier options. Don’t forget the rustic Fish Shack where you can enjoy stunning waterside views with your food.

Amble is also home to the UK’s only puffin festival, inspired by the colony of 36,000 birds on Coquet Island. Enjoy a cruise and see if you can spot the UK’s rarest seabird – the Roseate Tern – as you sail past the island’s 80-foot lighthouse, whose first keeper was Grace Darling’s big brother.