Earlier this week, we had a few days in Northumberland, a land of rugged coastlines, quaint villages, and ancient castles. Nestled in the northeastern corner of England, this county is a photographer's paradise, offering loads of unspoilt beaches and cute villages. On our agenda were some of Northumberland's most picturesque locations: Amble, Alnwick, Alnmouth, and Druridge Bay.

Whitley Bay: Coastal Charm and Victorian Vibes

Our first stop on the way up from Yorkshire was Whitley Bay, a seaside town known for its golden sands, historic promenade, and lively atmosphere. We walked along the seafront, lined with elegant Victorian buildings and cafes, and let the dogs have a break from the car by running their legs off on the beach (everywhere in Northumberland seems to be really dog friendly). Then we had a wander to the Spanish City Dome, a Grade II-listed building that has been a landmark of the town since the early 20th century and I popped into For the Love of the North which sells really cute stationary and homewares. After some cake in the cute and nostalgic Rendezvous cafe we were on our way up to Amble.

Amble: A Quaint Harbour Town

Our base for our visit was in Amble, a quiet harbour town situated on the North Sea coast. Once a fishing port, Amble still retains its maritime charm with colourful fishing boats bobbing about in the harbour, including those that go out on the Puffin watching trips. We got an amazing sunset here on our second night, perfect for watching from the window of The Fish Shack where we ate some of the best seafood I’ve ever had. There’s a little market here selling bits and bobs but it wasn’t open at the time we visited.

Alnwick: Home to History and Hogwarts

On our first full day we went to Alnwick, renowned for its famous castle and gardens. Alnwick Castle, often dubbed the "Windsor of the North," boasts a rich history dating back to the Norman era and has medieval halls, towers, and battlements. It served as the backdrop for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter films so is pretty recognisable. We decided to wander through the Alnwick Garden as the Cherry Blossom is in full flower at the moment. It has over 300 of the pretty trees and it looked amazing - the photos don’t really do it justice. It’s apparently the biggest blossom garden of its kind outside of Japan.

Alnmouth: Serenity by the Sea

As dogs are not allowed in Alnwick Garden we decided to head to Alnmouth next. This cute place a tranquil coastal village nestled at the mouth of the River Aln. With its sandy beaches, dunes, and pastel-coloured cottages, Alnmouth has a really serene feel to it. The dogs had the time of their lives here and we even got little Peg swimming in the sea!

Druridge Bay: Nature's Playground

On our final day we stopped at Druridge Bay, a stretch of coastline renowned for its pristine beaches and rolling sand dunes. As one of Northumberland's best nature reserves, Druridge Bay has loads of opportunities for outdoor exploration and wildlife spotting and a network of coastal trails that wind through dunes, woodlands, and freshwater lakes.

Northumberland is a great destination if you love wide, white sandy beaches and cute villages. I found it a teeny bit quiet for my tastes as I prefer plenty of options on things to do, but that is just me with my short attention span! There is of course loads more to explore here than we had time for like Lindisfarne and Holy Island, which we visited on a freezing cold New Years Eve about eight years ago. We will definitely be back, hopefully when the temperatures are above 8 degrees :)