Cullercoats is a charming seaside village on the North East coast rich in maritime history. Once a small fishing hamlet, it blossomed into a popular seaside resort during the Victorian era. Visitors today are drawn to its scenic beaches, rugged cliffs, and historic charm, all of which offer a blend of natural beauty and a glimpse into the past. Cullercoats provide a peaceful getaway with modern comforts, perfect for leisurely walks through the village or enjoying the coastal scenery.
Cullercoats is also known for its Lifeboat Station, one of the oldest in the UK and a vital part of the community since 1852. The station, steeped in history, represents the village’s deep connection to the sea and its dedication to maritime safety. After exploring, you can relax at one of the local cafés or pubs, enjoying fresh seafood and the serene coastal atmosphere.
The Queens Head is a traditional pub in Cullercoats offering a warm atmosphere and a great selection of food and drinks. Known for its classic pub fare, real ales, and friendly service, it’s a perfect place to relax after a day by the sea. The pub features regular events, including quiz nights and live music, adding to its lively ambiance. Whether you’re looking for a hearty meal or a casual drink, The Queens Head has something for everyone. Booking is advisable, especially during event nights.
Cullercoats Coffee Co. is a charming café known for its excellent coffee and relaxed vibe. Located just a stone’s throw from the beach, it’s an ideal spot to enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee, homemade pastries, and light bites. The café also offers a selection of vegetarian and vegan options. With its cozy interior and friendly staff, Cullercoats Coffee Co. is a must-visit for coffee lovers and beachgoers alike.
High Tide is a popular seaside eatery in Cullercoats, offering a fantastic array of fresh seafood and classic British dishes. With its welcoming ambiance and attentive service, High Tide is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The menu features everything from fish and chips to gourmet specials, all prepared with the freshest ingredients. Due to its popularity, it’s best to book ahead, especially on weekends.
SaltHouse is a cozy and contemporary café located in the heart of Cullercoats. Known for its relaxed atmosphere and stunning sea views, SaltHouse offers a delightful menu of homemade dishes, from hearty breakfasts to light lunches and delectable desserts. The friendly staff and seaside charm make it a perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a meal. With limited seating available, booking in advance is recommended to secure your spot.
Originally held by the De Vesci family for several centuries at the dawn of the second millennium, Alnwick Northumberland was handed on to the house of Percy in 1309. The Percy’s are still seated in the castle at the centre of the town.
A picturesque market town, it was voted by Country Life in 2002 as “the best place to live in Great Britain”. With a population of around 7,000 it is located 32 miles south of the Scottish border & 5 miles inland from the North Sea at Alnmouth. It dates back to approximately 600AD and despite much of the town being razed to the ground in 1424 by Scottish invaders, over the centuries it has thrived as an agricultural town, the location of Alnwick Castle and home of the Earls of Northumberland and as a stopping place on the Great North Road between Edinburgh & London.
Despite its recent growth it still has much of its original character. Most recently it has become a modern rural communter town. Alnwick also boasts one of the biggest second hand book stores in Europe; Barter Books, housed within the old railway station. The main east-coast railway line is situated around 4 miles along the river Aln and can be accessed via Alnmouth railway station.
The town once had its own rail link, but this ceased in ’68 because of the terminal nature of the line and the lack of opportunity for it to be developed. The building itself is incredibly ornate, which is due to the station’s frequent use by royals visiting the Percy’s at Alnwick Castle. Barter Books is now its main resident and much of the grandeur of the station is visible from within the store, which is a wonderful place to stop off and browse over a cup of coffee in front of their roaring fire.
At the very core of the town centre is a once thriving cobbled Marketplace which acted as a venue for the cattle market which was once the main industry of the town. Beautiful little
picture postcard streets such as Fenkle Street, Pottergate and Narrowgate surround the marketplace, many of which are cobbled, and all of which are lined by charismatic period buildings.
Historically, Alnwick was surrounded by a defensive wall to stave off attacks from invaders, but this wall has since been almost completely demolished, and only one of the majestic gatehouses survive. Hotspur tower, as it is known, was built at the turn of the second millennium and derives its name from the 2nd Earl of Northumberland, known as Harry Hotspur, who lived in Warkworth Castle.
Another fine building in the town centre is the gothic Pottergate Tower which is now a fabulous holiday property which you can book directly with Coquet Cottages. See full details here. This is a beautiful ornate gatehouse which was built in the eighteenth century on the site of the original gate. It once had an elegant spire, but this proved to be quite delicate and was destroyed a short time after it was built by a storm. The Playhouse is an all-purpose arts centre, which contains a theatre, a cinema and a gallery. The weekly newspaper is the Northumberland Gazette which covers the town and the district & their head office is in the town. Alnwick has numerous opportunites for leisure & sports which include the new Willowburn leisure centre, football, rugby and cricket clubs. Because of the nature of the area there are also opportunities for rock climbing, walking, water sports, horse riding, cycling & there are also dozens of golf courses in the area, including some links courses on the coast.
Brizlee tower is just one of the dozens of other dedicated buildings across the town. It sits on a ridge in Hulne Park and acts as a beacon which would be lit whenever anything of note happened so that the people of the town could be made aware. The White Swan Hotel contains the lounge and fittings from the RMS Olympic which was identical to the RMS Titanic and the RMS Gigantic (in the same fleet). Both were broken up after the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 for fears of a flaw in either the design or build. The Northumberland Fusiliers museum is located within Alnwick Castle. The Percy Tenantry Column was erected to thank the 2nd Duke of Northumberland for giving them a rent reduction during a time of particular hardship for farmers. This column has the Percy lion at its very top – the emblem of the Percy family and is a striking landmark at the southern entry to the town.
Cullercoats is a charming seaside village on the North East coast rich in maritime history. Once a small fishing hamlet, it blossomed into a popular seaside resort during the Victorian era. Visitors today are drawn to its scenic beaches, rugged cliffs, and historic charm, all of which offer a blend of natural beauty and a glimpse into the past. Cullercoats provide a peaceful getaway with modern comforts, perfect for leisurely walks through the village or enjoying the coastal scenery.
Cullercoats is also known for its Lifeboat Station, one of the oldest in the UK and a vital part of the community since 1852. The station, steeped in history, represents the village’s deep connection to the sea and its dedication to maritime safety. After exploring, you can relax at one of the local cafés or pubs, enjoying fresh seafood and the serene coastal atmosphere.
Originally held by the De Vesci family for several centuries at the dawn of the second millennium, Alnwick Northumberland was handed on to the house of Percy in 1309. The Percy’s are still seated in the castle at the centre of the town.
A picturesque market town, it was voted by Country Life in 2002 as “the best place to live in Great Britain”. With a population of around 7,000 it is located 32 miles south of the Scottish border & 5 miles inland from the North Sea at Alnmouth. It dates back to approximately 600AD and despite much of the town being razed to the ground in 1424 by Scottish invaders, over the centuries it has thrived as an agricultural town, the location of Alnwick Castle and home of the Earls of Northumberland and as a stopping place on the Great North Road between Edinburgh & London.
Despite its recent growth it still has much of its original character. Most recently it has become a modern rural communter town. Alnwick also boasts one of the biggest second hand book stores in Europe; Barter Books, housed within the old railway station. The main east-coast railway line is situated around 4 miles along the river Aln and can be accessed via Alnmouth railway station.
The town once had its own rail link, but this ceased in ’68 because of the terminal nature of the line and the lack of opportunity for it to be developed. The building itself is incredibly ornate, which is due to the station’s frequent use by royals visiting the Percy’s at Alnwick Castle. Barter Books is now its main resident and much of the grandeur of the station is visible from within the store, which is a wonderful place to stop off and browse over a cup of coffee in front of their roaring fire.
At the very core of the town centre is a once thriving cobbled Marketplace which acted as a venue for the cattle market which was once the main industry of the town. Beautiful little
picture postcard streets such as Fenkle Street, Pottergate and Narrowgate surround the marketplace, many of which are cobbled, and all of which are lined by charismatic period buildings.
Historically, Alnwick was surrounded by a defensive wall to stave off attacks from invaders, but this wall has since been almost completely demolished, and only one of the majestic gatehouses survive. Hotspur tower, as it is known, was built at the turn of the second millennium and derives its name from the 2nd Earl of Northumberland, known as Harry Hotspur, who lived in Warkworth Castle.
Another fine building in the town centre is the gothic Pottergate Tower which is now a fabulous holiday property which you can book directly with Coquet Cottages. See full details here. This is a beautiful ornate gatehouse which was built in the eighteenth century on the site of the original gate. It once had an elegant spire, but this proved to be quite delicate and was destroyed a short time after it was built by a storm. The Playhouse is an all-purpose arts centre, which contains a theatre, a cinema and a gallery. The weekly newspaper is the Northumberland Gazette which covers the town and the district & their head office is in the town. Alnwick has numerous opportunites for leisure & sports which include the new Willowburn leisure centre, football, rugby and cricket clubs. Because of the nature of the area there are also opportunities for rock climbing, walking, water sports, horse riding, cycling & there are also dozens of golf courses in the area, including some links courses on the coast.
Brizlee tower is just one of the dozens of other dedicated buildings across the town. It sits on a ridge in Hulne Park and acts as a beacon which would be lit whenever anything of note happened so that the people of the town could be made aware. The White Swan Hotel contains the lounge and fittings from the RMS Olympic which was identical to the RMS Titanic and the RMS Gigantic (in the same fleet). Both were broken up after the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 for fears of a flaw in either the design or build. The Northumberland Fusiliers museum is located within Alnwick Castle. The Percy Tenantry Column was erected to thank the 2nd Duke of Northumberland for giving them a rent reduction during a time of particular hardship for farmers. This column has the Percy lion at its very top – the emblem of the Percy family and is a striking landmark at the southern entry to the town.
