I am looking for pretty places to visit as we travel around Northumbria. I am wondering about places like Morpeth or Newbiggin by the sea but would like suggestions of other villages, coastal towns to visit in the area. We will be staying at Seahouses and visiting Bamburgh. Thanks for any suggestions.

Craster is lovely - famous for its kippers. The Jolly Fisherman pub in the village is well worth a stop for lunch.
http://www.thejollyfishermancraster.co.uk/
There's a good walk along the beach from Craster to the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. It can be a there and back walk or you can do the return section slightly inland.
Have to admit to not being a big fan of Seahouses, although it does have some good fish and chip shops.
Embleton sands are lovely to walk along unless it is windy as the sand is fine and blows all over you!
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/embl...d-newton-links
We often visit Lindisfarne (Holy Island). It can get busy during the day but if the tides work out then it is lovely to drive across in the evening. You'll practically have the place to yourself. There are often seals in the water just off the sand.
https://www.lindisfarne.org.uk/
This won't work if you want to visit the castle though, as it will be shut!
Alnmouth is also nice.
http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/alnmouth

Meant to say - Cragside House is fascinating, the gardens are lovely and there's a big loop around the Estate which you can drive with lots of stopping off places for picnics or walks.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside

There's not a lot to see at Newbiggin by the Sea. There's the Woodhorn Colliery museum which gives an insight into the local mining heritage. Morpeth has a nice park though it's primarily a commuter town for Newcastle.

Tynemouth has a ruined castle and priory with nice beaches. If there at weekends there's a busy antique market at the metro station. Seaton Delaval Hall is nearby and worth a visit.

Further up the coast Warkworth is very pretty. Amble has a small harbour. Alnmouth is lovely. The gardens at Howick Hall (Earl Grey) are pretty. Low Newton by the Sea for a pint at the Ship Inn. Beadnell Beach as well.

Inland you have Rothbury and the magnificent Cragside. Wallington Hall and Cambo. Have a drive up some of the remote valleys - Upper Coquetdale to Alwinton and the College Valley.

Chillingham and the wild cattle; Etal and Ford in north Northumberland. Norham Castle and the Chain Bridge Honey Farm.

Elsdon and the Border Reivers.

On the border with County Durham there's Blanchland.

Alnwick (takes most of a full day) and Cragside for absolutely sure

Thank you so much .... as always a great help. I love kippers but not Mrs Lyon ... whoops mean Mrs Lyon doesn't like kippers. Craster sounds a must and thanks for the tip on Cragside, I had never heard of it. Morpeth anyone? Only because when we start to hit around there (on the way up) and it will be lunchtime but could look for somewhere else. Rothbury seems a little off course but should we set it in our sights?

What's your route to Northumberland?

If you've got the time get off the main A roads and wind your way across the countryside. There's little traffic and that's how you come across little visited village and hamlets.

Morpeth's OK if you want to break your journey and stretch your legs.

http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/morpeth

http://www.moreinmorpeth.co.uk/

Thanks sofarsogood. Route? We aint got one. I guess A1M and then maybe through Morpeth and picking up the coastal road to Seahouses.

< There's the Woodhorn Colliery museum which gives an insight into the local mining heritage. >

Red squirrels as well

< If there at weekends there's a busy antique market at the metro station. >

Antiques on Saturday, general stuff on Sunday, open Bank Holiday Mondays, Farmers Market 3rd Saturday of Month, Book Fair every 3 months or so.

Amble has a boat out to Coquet Island, which has puffins up to mid summer - it's a shorter trip than a similar trip from Seahouses out to the Farnes. Warkworth is pleasant nearby but my choice would always be Craster to Newton by the Sea via Dunstanburgh.