Holiday rentals and lettings on the Northumberland Coast

• Variety of holiday rentals: Holiday rentals here span cosy seaside cottages, pet-friendly homes and properties with a pool or sauna.
• Best areas to stay: Base yourself in Bamburgh, Alnwick, Alnmouth, Seahouses or Craster, each with its own castles, beaches and harbour views within easy reach.
• What our guests say: Guests rave about properties on the Northumberland Coast for their private gardens, sea air and quiet village settings.
• Best time to visit: Late spring and summer bring the warmest weather and liveliest beaches, whilst autumn offers quieter walks and some of the darkest skies in Europe.
• Top activities and sights: Explore Bamburgh Castle, Howick Hall Gardens, the Dark Sky Park, Cragside House and Northumberland Zoo, plus surfing, kayaking and miles of coastal paths.

The Northumberland Coast offers a wonderful spread of self-catering accommodation to suit every kind of holiday. Couples can settle into snug seaside cottages on the Northumberland Coast, whilst families and groups will find roomy holiday homes near the beaches with gardens and sea views. There are also smart apartments along the coast close to the sand and relaxed glamping sites inland. Whichever you choose, most properties come well equipped for a relaxed coastal break.

• Sea and countryside views
• Enclosed private gardens
• Well-equipped kitchens
• Fast Wi-Fi throughout
• Barbecues

Many hosts also welcome pets, so the whole family can enjoy the beaches together.

What are the best areas to stay on the Northumberland Coast?

For first-time visitors, Bamburgh makes an ideal base, thanks to its landmark castle, golden beach and choice of welcoming pubs. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Holidaymakers love properties on the Northumberland Coast, praising the warm welcome from hosts, the peaceful village settings and how easy it is to reach the beaches and castles on foot. Sea views, comfortable furnishings and dog-friendly touches come up again and again.

Here are our top-rated holiday rentals from the past year:

1. Limpet Cottage - 10.0: A cosy cottage for two with a private garden, praised for its peaceful setting and easy access to the beaches.
2. St. Cruz - 10.0: A bright studio for two with a pool, ideal for couples wanting a relaxed seaside base close to the sand.
3. Grosvenor Cottage - 9.8+: A charming cottage for two in Alnmouth, loved for its village location moments from the estuary and the sandy beach.

The Northumberland Coast lies in England's far north-east, running up to the Scottish border. This designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is known for its castles, dunes and wide, empty beaches.

✈️What is the best way to get to the Northumberland Coast?

The most flexible way to reach the Northumberland Coast is by car, as it makes hopping between the villages and beaches far easier. Here are the most common ways to get to the coast:

• Car: The A1 is the main route north, connecting Newcastle, Alnwick and Berwick-upon-Tweed before crossing into Scotland. From the wider motorway network it links to the A19 and A69, with minor roads branching east towards the coast.
• Train: The East Coast Main Line runs the length of the region, with stations at Alnmouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed served by regular trains from Newcastle, York, Edinburgh and London King's Cross. From either station, local buses, taxis or a short drive bring you to the surrounding coastal villages.
• Plane: The nearest airport is Newcastle International, around an hour's drive south of the central coast and well connected to UK and European cities. From there you can hire a car or take the Metro into Newcastle and continue north by train, reaching Alnmouth in well under an hour.

🥗Where to eat on the Northumberland Coast?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, The Potted Lobster is the best-rated restaurant on the Northumberland Coast. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Grace and Tom recommend The Copper Kettle Tea Rooms in Bamburgh: they loved stopping for a pot of tea and homemade scones after a bracing morning walk along the beach.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit the Northumberland Coast is from late May to September, when the days are long, the sea is at its warmest and the beaches truly come to life. That said, autumn offers quieter paths, golden light and some of the darkest, clearest night skies in Europe.

Spring

• Best for: Garden lovers and walkers keen to avoid the crowds.
• Weather: Mild days with the occasional shower, so pack layers and a waterproof.
• Atmosphere: Fresh and peaceful, with blossom at Howick and lambs in the fields.

Summer

• Best for: Families, beach days and boat trips to the Farne Islands.
• Weather: The warmest and driest of the year, though the North Sea stays brisk.
• Atmosphere: Lively villages, busy beaches and long, light evenings.

Autumn

• Best for: Stargazers, photographers and quiet coastal walks.
• Weather: Cooler and breezier, with crisp, clear days between spells of rain.
• Atmosphere: Calm and atmospheric, with golden colours and dark, starry skies.

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our Northumberland Coast local expert, Ellie of Grosvenor Cottage, recommends the bracing clifftop walk from Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle, where dramatic ruins rise above the sea. You can read more local tips on Ellie's page.

1. Explore mighty Bamburgh Castle
2. Wander through Howick Hall Gardens
3. Stargaze in the Dark Sky Park
4. Discover Victorian Cragside House
5. Meet the animals at Northumberland Zoo

1. Explore mighty Bamburgh Castle

   Perched on a basalt crag above the sea, Bamburgh Castle is one of England's finest coastal fortresses, with a site spanning thousands of years of history. Take in sweeping views across the dunes, explore the treasures of the King's Hall and admire a collection of more than 2,000 pieces, from arms and armour to porcelain and fine art.

2. Wander through Howick Hall Gardens

   Howick Hall Gardens rank among the top five coastal gardens in the country. Stroll the woodland garden in late spring to catch the camellias and magnolias in bloom, wander meadows filled with colourful tulips and pause in the sensory garden to take in the scents. Keep an eye out for endangered red squirrels along the woodland walks.

3. Stargaze in the Dark Sky Park

   The Northumberland International Dark Sky Park is the largest area of protected night sky in Europe, so keep your eyes on the heavens after dark. At the Kielder Observatory you can pick out thousands of stars, the Milky Way and even the Andromeda Galaxy on a clear night.

4. Discover Victorian Cragside House

   Tucked into a wooded hillside, Cragside House was the first home in the world to be lit by hydroelectric power. Explore rooms full of ingenious Victorian inventions, see one of Britain's tallest trees and wander the largest rock garden in Europe. There are three cafés on site to refuel before heading back to your cottage across Northumberland.

5. Meet the animals at Northumberland Zoo

   Set across 15 acres of countryside, Northumberland Zoo is a lovely outing for all ages. Meet everything from raccoons and ponies to an arctic fox, armadillos, otters, Canada lynx, chinchillas, capybaras and even a snow leopard. After exploring, stop by the Bear Falls Café for pizza and chips.