Beadnell
As a popular tourist destination on the Northumberland coast, Beadnell is a small harbour village that, ironically, draws in thousands of
tourists who come to sample the fresh sea air and unique peacefulness of the place.
Once a traditional fishing village, Beadnell has now become a mecca for those seeking excitement in the truly encapsulating North Sea. Surfing,
diving, Jet Skiing and Water Skiing are amongst some of the most popular pursuits that now dominate the village during the summer months.
One does not need to go far to experience the famed natural beauty of Beadnell, easy access to the miles of unspoiled beaches creates a feeling of
expansiveness and enjoying this "area of outstanding natural beauty" brings with it a unique sense of contemplativeness - surrounded by a multitude
of wildlife - that draws in people year after year.
Seahouses
A short drive, or exhilarating walk for those keen to take in as much fresh air as possible, takes you to the bustling fishing village of Seahouses. As the main tourist destination on the North-Northumberland coast, Seahouses' hustle and bustle is a world away from the free space of Beadnell. Full of interesting memorabilia shops, Seahouses is the main set off point for the World-famous Farne Islands. Boat trips to the islands are very popular in the summer months, and the colouful mixture of kittywakes, curlews and puffins makes for a spectacle that should not be missed! Some are even lucky enough to witness seals, dolphins and whales from the safety of their boat.
Holy Island - The Birthplace of Christianity
Indeed wildlife is not the only intriguing site from these boats, a few miles up coast and a stunning site on a clear day, is Holy Island. Widely
acknowledged as the birthplace of Christianity on the British mainland, Holy Island boasts not one, but two ancient tourist attractions.
Viking raids in 793 caused great damaged to the Monastery, however the monks were undeterred and the monastery soon returned to its former glory. It
lasted until the 1500's when the reformation claimed one of its most beautiful scalps in the form of the monastery. The ruins remain to give an
insight into the stunning craftsmanship that went into building it and a tour of the place is well worth it. The monastery can boast a hand in building
the other main attraction on the island. Away to the South eastern corner of the island, the castle - built using remains of the monastery - sits
perched upon an outcrop of basalt and commands a strong position that allows it to see - and to be seen - for many miles around.
Alnwick Castle & Alnwick Gardens
Of course, the coast is just one aspect of Northumberland's beauty and Beadnell is ideally situated to move inland - towards the rugged moorland terrain for which Northumberland is also famed. The Alnwick Garden, a £12 million project that was kick started by The Duchess of Northumberland is a sight that one should not miss. Not only does the Garden boast the largest tree house (complete with restaurant) in Europe in its portfolio, its grand cascade, pavilion and poison garden combine to create what must be one of the most amazing gardens in the modern world. As the seat of the Duke of Northumberland (the percy family) for over 800 years, Alnwick is a strongly gated town and its narrow street layout has remained unchanged for centuries. Of course, one cannot fail to mention the Castle which is the second largest inhabited castle in Britain (after Windsor) and has been the location for many film and screen productions such as Blackadder and more recently the Harry Potter films.
Newcastle upon Tyne
Should you seek some bright lights for a day, Newcastle is only a 45 minute drive. Currently undergoing a huge regeneration Newcastle is fast
becoming a cultural epicenter of the North-East with some widely acclaimed developments such as The Sage Gateshead centre for performing arts pushing this
message. With some fantastic city centre architecture and great shopping, Newcastle is a great day trip, or a fantastic place to eat out at night.
With such a wide range of activities and sites to see in close proximity to this uniquely active yet peaceful place, Beadnell could provide the
perfect place to capture it all.