Visit Northumberland
Your Local Guide
Art House
Exploring what northumberland has to offer
We are lucky that Northumberland has a rich tapestry of wonderful experiences, activities and scenery. Below is just a short guide to some of our favourites to help you plan for your stay. We always love to hear from guests on what their favourite things have been so if you find anything let us know and we will update and share for others to enjoy!
Carnaby’s cafe | Brownieside, Chathill, NE67 5HW
A local secret just off the A1 a few miles from the property. Carnaby’s makes a variety of exquisite breakfasts and lunches from fresh ingredients on site. It also has a lovely home and clothes shop and an outdoor dining area complete with play area for children. Our favourites are the beautiful salads and frittatas. They offer takeaway food too, so a lovely place to pick up a coffee and a bite if you are heading into the hills for a walk. You can take dogs to the secure enclosed outdoor eating area.
Scotts of Alnmouth | Alnmouth
This deli is our first stop when stocking up for our family stays at the cottage. It has everything from artisan cheeses to meats and entire frozen meals. Alnmouth itself is a wonderful village to visit with a white sand beach and a fantastic art gallery detailed below. Our favourites are the frozen meals which are delicious, the Ruby currys and Black Daal in particular. We have a full height freezer in the utility room so lots of room if you do get tempted by a delicious meal. You won’t find a better coffee in Northumberland!
The Potted Lobster | Bamburgh
Located in the neighbouring village of Bamburgh a few minutes from Art House this is an elegant yet relaxed Michelin star fish restaurant. They have delicious freshly landed and local fish and shell food. We like more casual lunches here or perfect for a couples dinner
in the evening. Early booking recommended. Dog friendly and complete with a children’s menu it has something for everyone.
Elan Pizzeria | Seahouses
If you are walking into Seahouses you might almost walk past this restaurant nestled near the roundabout on Main Street. You should pay attention though as its pizzas are wonderful. They come in dozens of toppings, all the freshest of ingredients made on site in the open kitchen in the restaurant. We enjoy getting takeaways (pick-up only) but it is also a lovely place to dine in and you can even BYOB for a small corkage charge. This is easily the best pizza I’ve found in Northumberland. In busier seasons phone early as they book up for take away early due to limited capacity. I’d highly recommend the Caprino.
Indian Brasserie | Seahouses
This is our favourite Indian locally. (There are two in Seahouses alone) It is located just a short walk along Main Street. The staff are very friendly and kind and the atmosphere reflects that. It does takeaways and also has a fully licensed sit in restaurant. Our favourite thing is to enjoy a freshly poured draught Indian beer whilst waiting for our delicious food in the lounge!
Swallow Fish Ltd | Seahouses
Established in 1843 this fish shop is certainly a landmark in the harbour of Seahouses. It is famous for inventing the kipper which they still make in their on site smoke house. They sell fresh and home smoked fish which has been caught locally. Their lobster is so good they actually ship a great deal of it out to some famous restaurants in Cornwall. Our favourite is the salmon pate but you must try a kipper from the original and the best!
Beadnall Towers | Beadnall
A boutique hotel in the neighbouring village of Beadnall, the restaurant here is lovely and very atmospheric. Quality food is assured but make sure you look at the room rates to see what a good deal you are getting at Art House!
The Northumbrian Hamper | Seahouses
On the Main Street in Seahouses this local shop is a treasure trove of delicious Northumbrian delights. From local honey from Berwick to beers to tea this little shop has an amazing array of local products for you to enjoy.
The Landing | Beadnall
A relatively new addition to the local restaurant scene The Landing is extremely conveniently located beside the car park at Beadnall Beach. They have a revolving menu with the freshest local catch and cater well to children too. Their battered fish fingers are very popular with the children and the mussels with the adults!
Howick Hall and Gardens
Howick Hall and Gardens is just a short drive from Art House and en route to Alnmouth. It has expansive, impressive grounds and a lovely tea shop and eco garden which children love. We particularly enjoy going to take in the spectacular bulbs in spring but the huge variety of plants make it a great place to visit all year round. The horticultural family which own the Hall have collected an impressive array of specimens over the years. Visits when bulbs or rhododendrons are in bloom are very special.
The Alnwick Gardens
A firm favourite for a family day out or mecca for horticulturists. This place will keep you occupied all day. It has everything from a bamboo maze, an enormous rose garden to the largest collection of cherry blossoms outside Japan. It cleverly has planting for every season. Look out on their website for special events which happen often. On the same site is Alnwick Castle and also Lilidorei although different tickets are required for each. We’d recommend considering a picnic in summer time partly for the ambience but also because the food prices are sky high! Lots here to entertain all ages.
The Old School Gallery | Alnmouth
This gallery is beautifully curated by its lovely owners Dale and Penny. They have revolving exhibits of artists in one room of this beautiful building and then a collection of exceptional art in the other. They are great champions of local artists and have a fantastic eye for talent. There is usually a pizza van in the expansive outdoor courtyard and the gallery offers coffees and sweet treats too. Try their cakes, they are always a hit.
Bamburgh Castle
One of the most spectacular castles in the British Isles, this magnificent giant sits proudly above a huge cliff face with eight miles of white sand surrounding its feet. You can visit the castle most days but I’d recommend checking their website as the opening hours change seasonally. The castle often has events but just on a normal day its centuries of history have plenty to interest you as you walk through its rooms. They seem to add something every time we visit and have a number of interactive high tech displays alongside the very varied treasures the family has collected over centuries. The castle was used as a back drop for the very popular Netflix series The Last Kingdom and the castle have a dedicated display with some of the wonderfully intricate costumes.They have a lovely, if very small cafe which is a great spot for lunch.
Paxton House
Slightly further afield nestled on the Scottish/English Border is Paxton House. Literally a different country at the bottom of the garden a visit to this property is a lovely day out. They often have exhibits and there is plenty to see at the house itself. It’s nestled in beautiful grounds which include a children’s play park and a mini golf course. The grounds go down to the spectacular River Tweed at the bottom of the garden. We’d highly recommend the boat tours along the Tweed to take in the scenery and if you are lucky you might even have a little seal tag along for the trip! They often swim up the river looking for salmon. They only have limited capacity for the boat trips so make sure you book well in advance on the website.
Ad Gefrin | Wooler
Nestled on the hills in Wooler inland and across the A1 is this brand new whiskey distillery and Anglo-Saxon museum. They building is spectacular and they do tours of the distillery. The museum is very interactive and interesting and there is a cafe and gift shop too.
Northumberland Zoo | Eshott
About 35 mins from the cottage between Alnwick and Morpeth just off the A1 is this lovely zoo. It’s quite small but it has a huge variety of animals and lots of outdoor play. It’s a great pit stop en route with plenty to entertain young children.
KA Adventure Sports | Beadnall
Based primarily out of Beadnall Bay KA are the go to team for surf, kite surfing, coasteering and SUP lessons. They have everything you need from wetsuits to surf boards available to hire for your own use or as part of the lessons. The calm of Beadnall bay is the perfect venue for beginners and old hands alike.
Ranger Jane Beach School | Seahouses
This beach school is fantastic for young children and teenagers alike. Jane is a former National Trust community ranger who now offers 90 min guided seashore safaris for
families, groups and also bespoke trips. This course is an opportunity to explore all that the seaside has to offer and leave with a better understanding of the animals and plants alike.
Northumberlandia – The Lady of The North | Cramlington
1.5 million tonnes of rock clay and soil make this impressive 100 feet high, quarter of a mile long human landform sculpture of a lady. Four miles of paths wind up and around the sculpture in an expansive 46 acre public park that is free to access. There is a small cafe on site but we would recommend Blagdon nearby for a delicious meal.
Alnwick Castle
Some of the scenes for Harry Potter were filmed at this spectacular castle. It does themed tours as a result and is right beside the Alnwick Gardens so you can do both in a day.
Heatherslaw Light Railway | Ford
We LOVE Bunty – this adorable little train operates regular trips between Heatherslaw and Etal Village which is about 5 miles away. A real hit with young children the train is fantastic fun and Etal village has interesting medieval ruins of Etal castle and a number of nice lunch destinations in the village. The heavy horse centre is nearby.
Library at the hub | Seahouses
A wonderful local resource, the community hub in Seahouses, has a fully stocked library which you are free to take books from on a trust basis so no filling in forms. They have a huge selection of novels for adults although their children’s library is lacking.
Local cinema |Seahouses
The Hub in Seahouses have a monthly movie showing. Check out their website for details but it’s always a new release.
Bamburgh Beach | Seahouses- Bamburgh
You can walk along Broad Road to this beach easily from the cottage. If you keep going you will be able to walk all the way to Bamburgh along a beautiful deep, white sand beach. The dunes are expansive and perfect for games of hide and seek or making sandcastles if it is windy on the beach. If you want to base yourself there for the day I’d recommend driving half way and parking on the road side and crossing the dunes. Some days if you do this you will hardly see a soul! A beautiful view of the islands is guaranteed.
Beadnall Bay
A tranquil deep cove with a small harbour to one side provides a sheltered bay that is perfect for watersports. KA water sports have a premises by the car park. With the addition of The Landing, a new restaurant just adjacent to the car park you can base yourself there all day happily.
Alnmouth Beach
Another magnificent long white beach. Slightly less facilities than Beadnall but if you are heading to Scotts Deli or The Old School Gallery it’s well worth a visit.
Seahouses Golf Course | Seahouses- 5 min Drive
A traditional links course with some excellent par 3s, this 5568 yard 67 par course is a bargain from £20 a round. The course is very highly rated by guests and is in very good condition, 12 of the holes are played on the links with the remaining 6 across the road on parkland. The round is challenging but enjoyable. Buggies are available to hire at the club where a warm welcome awaits. Their website has some excellent overviews of the holes and you can book online.
Bamburgh Castle Golf Club | Bamburgh- 10 Mins Drive
Nestled near the foothills of the iconic Bamburgh Castle this course also has impressive views of the Farne Islands and Lindesfarne. Starting with two back to back par threes then two par fives this course has a 5621 yard par 68 layout. This is a village course but it is challenging and quirky in the most ideal of settings. Warm hospitality awaits at the clubhouse.
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The Ocean Club | Seahouses
The Ocean club has a large swimming pool and a lovely little ESPA spa. It also has a small cafe which serves good food and cakes.
