20 Things to do at Seahouses, Bamburgh & Beadnell

Ad - This post has not been asked or paid for but does include accommodation that we stayed in as part of a press stay in January 2023. 

Seahouses is a popular harbour village in Northumberland. To me, it kind of feels a little grittier than some of the other villages in Northumberland.

I will be honest when I say that despite always enjoying a day trip to Seahouses, it is somewhere that has never completely captured my heart in the same way that places like Amble and Craster have.

However this all changed in January when we enjoyed a short break in the heart of the village and managed to live like a local. This time, I absolutely fell in love with the area and cannot wait to share some of my top recommendations for things to do either as a day trip or as part of a short break. 

Seahouses is very close to Bamburgh and Beadnell (close enough to walk) and to me, if you're visiting the area, it makes sense to combine things to do around all three villages. 

This part of Northumberland is super child-friendly and dog-friendly too. 

Where to Stay 

We stayed at Harbour Way Cottage booked with Coast & Country Retreats who manage lots of boutique cottages of all sizes around Seahouses, Bamburgh and Beadnell.

 

Their prices are super reasonable (esp off peak) and our mid-week stay was around £400 in January for 3 nights in a dog-friendly cottage sleeping up to 8 guests across 4 bedrooms. 

Harbour Way Cottage is finished to a super high standard, is in a very central location (the harbour is at the end of the street) and you get two private parking spaces in a courtyard to the rear of the property which is extremely handy as parking along the Northumberland Coast can get tricky at times.

All of the places mentioned in this post can be accessed on foot from the cottage door.

I will share a full cottage review at the bottom of this post if you're interested but for now, lets jump into what there is to do in the area. I will plot the location of all of these activities into a google map below. You can get the direct link and download to your phone here.


 
 

Seahouses 

Boat Trip to the Farne Islands 

This is a trip I have taken a few times and it's absolutely fantastic! I recommend booking with Serenity Tours and if you're travelling with kids, the Grey Seal and Seabird trip is ideal. It lasts 1.5 hours and you don't leave the boat but you do get really close to the island and learn about / get to see hundeds (or thousands) of seals and seabirds. 

If you'd like to see puffins, May-July are the prime puffin-spotting months. 

This trip has space for one wheelchair booked in advance and dogs are welcome. Do wrap up warmly (even in summer) and I'd recommend hats and gloves. Find out more and book your trip here. 

Fish & Chips 

There are a few different places to get fish and chips from Seahouses and I've never had a bad meal from any of them. Over our past few trips we have visited Lewis' Fish Restaurant. I really like it here, they have reasonable prices and specials (including these fabulous prawns). Order to take out and walk along to the harbour seats to enjoy with a view. Find out more here. 


Visit a Proper Pub 

The Olde Ship Inn is a proper Northumberland Pub filled with locals and a real fire. It's a pub with lots of little rooms making it feel nice and cosy and nautical theme is quirky. You can book a table for breakfast, lunch or dinner or simply pop into the bar for a drink. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor bar area (which is partly covered). Find out more here. 

Amusement Arcade 

There is a traditional amuseument arcade in the heart of Seahouses with your classic grab machines and 2p machines. Assistance dogs only. 

Visit the Smokehouse 

Swallow Fish Smokehouse was established in Seahouses back in 1843. I love the smoky smells as you walk past. Visitors can enjoy popping into the Fisherman's Kitchen which is filled with historic photographs and articles about traditional fishing. A visit to the shop afterwards is a must. Find out more here. 

Shopping 

Seahouses is filled with independent businesses including quite a few gift shops. Our favourite is The Northumbrian Hamper where you can pick up lots of high quality local produce and souveniers. 

BYOB at Elan Pizzeria 

Elan Pizzeria is a a lovely local pizzeria where you can bring your own wine or beers (£3 corkage) or they do have an alcohol license too. I love BYOB places as always find them nice and relaxed. It's a fab spot to enjoy a family meal with kids. Find out more here. 

A little throwback photo to 2014 here......

Soft Play & Crazy Golf 

The Bunker is the place to be if you're visiting with kids who'd like to burn off some energy. You can enjoy outdoor crazy golf, an American diner and indoor soft play. Find out more here.

Ocean Club Beauty & Coffee Shop

If you fancy a massage or getting your nails done, Ocean Club Beauty offer a range of treatments and there is a wonderful coffee shop on site too. Dogs welcome in the coffee shop. Find out more here. 

Cocktails at The Black Swan 

The Black Swan is a beautiful Gastro Pub in the heart of the village. They also have an extensive cocktail menu (with seasonal specials) and very knowledgable staff. It's one of the best places I've enjoyed a cocktail in a pub, absolutely perfect by the fire.

There are board games at the bar and this place would be the ideal spot to hide from the rain for a few hours. Pictured above is a Blue Cherry Margherita and Old Fashioned. Find out more here. 

Walk to Beadnell 

This walk is around 2 miles each way and pretty easy to follow. 

Walk to Bamburgh 

Again, this walk along the coastal path is very easy to follow - one straight line along the coast towards the castle. It's around 3.5 miles from Seahouses to the Castle. You can catch a bus back if needed. 

Beadnell 

Beadnell Beach 

Beadnell Beach is a beautiful sandy and dog friendly beach in Northumberland. We absolutely love bringing Fozzy here for a good run about. There is a car park right next to the beach as well as public loos and it's a popular spot for watersports. Find out more here. 

Hot Chocolates at The Landing

If you cross over the road from the beach car park, you will find The Landing. It's a lovely place where dogs are welcome inside and out.

Expect indoor seating areas as well as covered outside seating around heaters and fire pits plus blankets. You can pop in for hot chocolates, drinks (they have a license) or a bite to eat (they specialise in seafood). Highly recommend. Find out more here. 

Beadnell Playground 

I found Beadnell Playground using the free Playground Buddy App which is well worth downloading to find playgrounds around the world. My kids are personally too old for most playgrounds now but I still like to hunt them out to include in articles. 

Beadnell Playground is just across the road from Beanell WI in the heart of the village (use postcode NE67 5AQ). It's a brilliant enclosed space and in excellent condition. Expect climbing walls and ropes, picnic tables, swings, slides, monkey bars, toddler equipment, see saw, football nets, basketball net and more. Definitely worth a visit with under 8s. 

The Craster Arms / Beadnell Towers 

The pubs and restaurants in Beadnell are a little on the pricey side but I would say in this case, it's worth the extra spend. The food quality, ambience and service in both Beadnell Towers and The Craster Arms is fantastic. Both offer children's menus, a warm welcome and are dog friendly too. 

The Craster Arms 

Beadnell Towers 

Bamburgh 

Bamburgh Castle 

Bamburgh Castle is absolutely stunning and definitely worth a visit. This castle is furnished rather than a ruin and you can walk around the beautiful staterooms and admire the decor and historic items on display. There are delicate china sets, suits of armour, weapons and even a dungeon to see. 

Outside there are regular trails around the grounds as well as special events across the year. If you walk along the castle walls you get a great view of the cannons pointing out to sea / over the beach. Dogs are welcome in the grounds and in the tack room cafe. 

Find out more here. 

Bamburgh Beach 

Despite being one of the most picturesque beaches in Northumberland and sitting in the shadow of Bamburgh Castle, you will often find you have this beach to yourself. It's a nice stretch of sandy beach and perfect for a beach walk with the dog.

The Potted Lobster

The Potted Lobster is one of our favourite seafood restaurants in Northumberland.  Expect a relaxed environment, excellent service and beautiful locally sourced seafood. There is a children's menu and there is a dog friendly area too. Find out more here. 

Bamburgh Playground 

Using the Playground Buddy App mentioned above, I discovered a playground in Bamburgh which looks great.  This playground is in the middle of a refurbisment and is due to re-open at the end of January 2023. Sources say it's looking fantastic so far. 

Grace Darling Museum 

The RNLI Grace Darling Museum is free to visit and shares the story of Grace's upbringing, life in a lighthouse and of course, her rescue mission. This museum will transport you back to 1938 and is free to visit. Find out more here. 

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Harbour Way Cottage Review 

As promised, here is a review of Harbour Way Cottage in Seahouses. This cottage sleeps up to 8 guests and is dog friendly. Located on Union Street, you are in the heart of the village with the co-op being a couple of minutes walk away, the harbour/beach being at the end of your street and the Black Swan Pub being a few doors away (don't worry, there isn't any noise - it's a quiet location). 

There are two private parking spaces for the cottage to the rear in a shared courtyard and parking is no problem at all. 

There is no enclosed garden with this property - there is a shared courtyard to the rear and a small porch terrace with bench to the front. Usually I prefer an enclosed garden for Fozzy but it wasn't an issue at all here as there were so many lovely walks around the harbour from our doorstep. 

Prices are from around £400 for a short break off peak.

Find out more and book here: https://www.coastcountryretreats.co.uk/

It is self check in here and you open the fron door into a nice entrance porch which was ideal for wiping Fozzy's paws, hanging coats and keeping our shoes etc.... out of the way. There is a downstairs loo just off this entrance hall and doors to the downstairs double bedroom and ensuite and the main living area. 

The open plan living room, dining area and kitchen is all open plan and funished to a high standard with original features and everything you could need for a comfortable stay. The sofas were comfy and come with blankets to snuggle up with and the kitchen was extremely well equipped - a real home from home. 

There is a large TV in the living area which was perfect for watching films on an evening and free high speed WiFi throughout. 

The kitchen was excellent and a real home from home - there is a washer/dryer, dishwasher, oven, microwave, large hob and a large selection of utensils. I loved the glass cabinet which housed a range of stylish cocktail glasses and there was even a slow cooker. It was a real home from home. 

The only thing I really felt was missing was a coffee machine and a welcome hamper which I would expect from this type of property. I am nit picking when I say this though. 

There was loads of space to cook big family meals and on one day, my mam, brother and nephew came to visit and all eight of us could sit around the table no bother at all. Only 5 of us stayed here overnight but if there was 8 of us, we wouldn't feel cramped at all. It's very spacious. 

All of the bedrooms are finished to a high standard and come with their own heating and TVs (you can log into Netflix etc). There is a double bedroom downstairs with an en-suite shower and door onto the rear courtyard. This would be ideal for grandparents and worked well as a room for our eldest teen. 

Upstairs there is a further large double bedroom and twin room which is nautical themed. These two bedrooms are not ensuite but there is a family bathroom across the hall. 

Then finally, the master suite which is what sold this property to me. The bathtub in the room was such a treat and there is also an ensuite shower room and loo. 

We had a brilliant stay at Harbour Way and I would definitely stay there again. It was nice and homely, in a perfect central location and felt nice and was super spacious. We didn't want to leave! I especially loved being able to just pop a few doors along to The Black Swan for a few cheeky cocktails in the evening. Bliss!