Northumberland... Castles... Lighthouses... Coastline...

Thursday 28 September 2017

Picked up our rental car, a Citroen C3, on Tuesday afternoon ready for our trip up to Newcastle to visit Dave's cousin, Gillian and David.

We set off after breakfast on Wednesday morning.  Had a great drive up with not too much traffic, surprisingly!! 

Love how they stack their hay bales over here...

Arrived around 2.00pm and had a lovely catch up chilling followed by a meandering walk through the Beamish countryside.

St Helen's Church represents a typical type of country church found in Cleveland and North Yorkshire, and was relocated from is original site in Eston, North Yorkshire.

They initially numbered the bricks before they deconstructed the chapel so they knew how to put it back together! 

Whim Gin Mine Winding Drum

That night enjoying dinner out catching up with Gillian's daughter Jacqueline and partner Stephanie, Neil, Gillian's brother and wife Gill at The Black Horse Inn at Beamish.

Thursday morning up and at em at 9.00am.  Starting off with a gorgeous view of St Mary and St Cuthbert's Church from David and Gillian's home

Ready to enjoy a full day out and about exploring the Northumberland coastline, including castles, lighthouses and beautiful fishing villages.  First up views of Holy Island from Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve.

Devon, wanting to play ball

After a very kind lady let me in their home so I could utilise their toilet!!!!... thankfully she did as it was a life saving experience!!!!  We went on to Bamburgh Castle.

First up enjoying a coffee at The Copper Kettle Tea Room.

Views of Bamburgh Castle...

Loved the cricket pitch in front of the castle too... I bet the cricketers love to play there with such a beautiful castle as the backdrop!!

A view of Bamburgh Lighthouse... another to add to our lighthouse trail list :-)

A distant view of Longstone Lighthouse from Bamburgh... this lighthouse is situated on rugged Farne Islands.

Distant view of Farne Lighthouse on Farne Island.

two handsome fella's

Then on to Seahouses for a brief look at the harbour and a bonus view of another lighthouse.

Then on to Low-Newton-by-the-Sea for a cliff walk and hopefully kippers for lunch!!

Stunning cliff walk over the fields...

A view of Dunstanburgh Castle

Low Newton by the Sea fisherman's cottages.

Stunning spot for a bit of lunch at The Ship Inn... and yay I got my kippers I've been longing for!!!  Dave had the kipper fish cakes which were also really tasty!!

Another view of Dunstanburgh Castle

Then onto Craster harbourside to check out the kipper smokehouse.  Unfortunately we couldn't view inside at the time we were there but we could certainly smell it!!!

Another view of Dunstanburgh Castle...

Then on to Warkworth via Alnmouth...

View of Warkworth Castle...

Warkworth Historic bridge... The monument includes the above and below ground remains of Warkworth Bridge, a multi-span bridge of late 14th century date over the River Coquet, and the remains of a defensive gateway.

View of Coquet Lighthouse and Amble Lighthouse...

Then on to Seaton Sluice Harbour...

View of Blyth Lighthouse...

a view of St Mary's Lighthouse...

Such an awesome day... thanks so much David and Gillian for showing us around your stunning countryside.  We will certainly sleep well tonight with all the sea air and walking!!

Tomorrow is another full day exploring, see you then.