A Whirlwind Tour of Northumberland Gems

Amble: Sunshine, Scrubbing, and a Whirlwind Tour of Northumberland's Gems!

Our final few days in Amble were a masterclass in relaxation. Despite the persistent wind, the sun valiantly broke through, casting a shimmering glow across the sea. We ambled around the pier, enjoying clear views of Coquet Island, its presence a constant reminder of our coastal journey. Halcyon Sea, however, had accumulated a rather impressive collection of weed on her underside, so Nick bravely inflated the dinghy and took to the water, giving her bottom a much-needed scrub.

Tuesday brought a welcome change of pace: Lee, one of Nick's former work colleagues, arrived to whisk us away on a sightseeing adventure. We were buzzing with anticipation, eager to see more of the North East coast, which had already impressed us deeply. Our drive wound through the picturesque villages of Alnmouth and Boulmer, their charming stone cottages nestled against the rugged landscape. We met up with Lee's wife, Zoe, for a delicious lunch at The Running Fox in Longhoughton, a truly delightful spot. We then continued our journey along the coastline, passing Howick and taking a closer look at Craster, famous for its kippers. Dunstanburgh Castle stood proudly on the headland, its ruins a dramatic silhouette against the sky. After picking up their three enthusiastic dogs, we made a stop at Beadnell Bay, allowing all the pooches to let off a bit of steam on the vast sandy expanse.

Farne Islands, Bamburgh's Majesty, and the Heroine of the Longstone Lighthouse
Our tour continued to Seahouses, where we drove down onto the pier, observing the day trip boats preparing to depart for the Farne Islands, a renowned wildlife sanctuary. From there, we paused to admire the majestic presence of Bamburgh Castle, an iconic stronghold perched dramatically on the Northumberland coast. As we gazed, Zoe pointed out the location of the Grace Darling Museum.

Grace Darling is a celebrated heroine of Victorian Britain, famed for her extraordinary act of bravery. Born in 1815, she was the daughter of William Darling, the lighthouse keeper on Longstone Lighthouse, one of the treacherous Farne Islands. In the early hours of September 7th, 1838, the steamship Forfarshire struck the Outer Farne rocks during a fierce storm. Grace, from her vantage point in the lighthouse, spotted survivors clinging to the rocks. Despite the immense danger and her father's initial hesitation to launch their small coble (a traditional fishing boat) in such conditions, Grace's unwavering determination persuaded him. Together, they rowed through mountainous seas, a truly perilous journey, reaching the shipwreck and rescuing nine survivors, including a woman and two children. Her heroic actions captivated the nation, turning her into a national icon and inspiring countless acts of courage. The Grace Darling Museum in Bamburgh now commemorates her life and daring rescue, displaying the very coble she and her father used.

Harry Potter Magic and Amble's Charms Endure
After this fascinating historical interlude, we headed back inland via Alnwick, where we made sure to grab a photo of Alnwick Castle, famous for its role as Hogwarts in some of the Harry Potter films. Finally, we arrived back in Amble, truly awestruck. What a whirlwind tour of such incredibly beautiful countryside and coastline! A huge thank you to Lee and Zoe; we would never have seen all of this without their generous guidance, not even if we'd dared to get our bikes out (Nick is still having palpitations at the mere thought!). The bikes, by the way, remain firmly in their original position in the back cabin, untouched and probably covered in a fine layer of dust.

Our biggest regret is that we were so captivated by everything we were seeing that we completely forgot to take many photos. This is definitely somewhere we would like to explore further, perhaps with the car next time.Read more