Kate Atkin
19 February 2020
If you’ve ever been to Northumberland, you’ll know that the bustling village of Seahouses is an unmissable spot - and if you’re yet to visit, now’s the time!
With its colourful fishing harbour, perfect for observing local marine life including dolphins and panoramic views of the spectacular Farne Islands, taking a holiday in Seahouses will offer you amazing access to this incredible part of the country.
The vibrant village centre features everything you would expect from a good old-fashioned seaside holiday including an impressive range of boutiques, restaurants, bars, coffee houses, ice cream parlours, and fish and chip shops. If you are holidaying with children, they will be sure to love the amusement arcades, crazy golf and boat trips from the harbour.
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The Seahouses coast
To the north and south of the town are family-friendly stretches of sweeping sandy beaches, perfect for building sandcastles, flying kites, playing hide and seek in the dunes, having a go at body boarding and even walking the dog.
There are also miles of scenic walking and cycling routes to explore, thanks to the Northumberland Coast having been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – the coast path runs from Beadnell in the south, through Seahouses and on towards Bamburgh Castle in the north. For more information on the best coastal destinations, check out our guide to the best beaches in Northumberland.
Castles near Seahouses
A short stroll from the glorious beach in Seahouses takes you to the quintessentially English village of Bamburgh with its magnificent, iconic castle. Gaze out to sea to soak up mesmerising views of the world-famous Holy Island, birthplace of St Cuthbert and the Lindisfarne Gospel, as well as Lindisfarne Priory and Castle.
You are also within close proximity of Alnwick, Dunstanburgh and Warkworth Castles where you can learn more of the region’s fascinating history. For a more in depth insight, check out our guide to castles in Northumberland.
Explore the Farne Islands
The nearby Farne Islands are a must-visit while you are in the area, home to a plethora of exciting wildlife including a large colony of grey seals and puffins. During the breeding season, around 150,000 seabirds also vie for space on the islands, making this the most famous sea bird sanctuary in the British Isles.
They are remarkably tolerant to visitors, allowing you to get up close and take some extraordinary photographs. Regular boat trips from Seahouses Harbour means that you shouldn’t have to wait long for your chance to view the local wildlife in its natural habitat – don’t forget your camera! Read all about the Farne Islands.
Wildlife around Seahouses
Between the masses of seabirds and marine mammals found off the coast of England, you are bound to be spoilt for sightings of wildlife and sealife during your visit to Seahouses on the coast. Activity at the seabird colonies peaks in June and July, and from August, passage migrants pass through on their way from northern breeding areas to their winter quarters and birds that settle here for winter begin to arrive!
When birdwatching, look out for:
- Kittiwakes, guilliemots, black-headed gulls, shags and three species of tern can be found on the Farne Islands.
- Over 5,000 pairs of arctic terns make their winter home on Beadnell Bay.
- Tens of thousands of ducks, geese (including pink-footed and barnacle geeses) and wading birds come from the Arctic Circle and spend the winter on the coast.
- Rocky shore waders such as purple sandpipers, knots and turnstones can all be found in Bamburgh Bay.
When it comes to seals, whales and dolphins, there is also a good chance you will spot all three if you get your timings right. These sea mammals are known collectively as cataceans and there are lots of boat trips leaving from Seahouses which will take you to the best spots for sightings. Choosing a day with calm sea conditions will increase your chances of seeing them.
When watching cataceans, look out for:
- The Atlantic grey seal, which s commonly seen from Seahouses Harbour.
- Harbour porpoises, which are present in Northumberland’s waters all year round.
- Bottlenose dolphins and white-beaked dolphins which are regular visitors to the waters.
- Minke whales and basking sharks which have often been spotted when the waters are calm.
Golf in Seahouses
For golfers, the 18-hole course in Seahouses boasts two of the most prestigious par threes in the North of England and, if that’s not enough, there are many other golf courses nearby including Bamburgh Castle Golf Club to the north and Dunstanburgh Golf Course to the south.
Address: Beadnell Road, Seahouses, Northumberland, NE68 7XT
Open: Mon–Thu: 8am–8pm, Fri–Sat: 8am–10.30pm, Sun: 8am–8pm
Pubs, restaurants and eateries in Seahouses
Although we all love having a private cottage to stay in when on holiday, it is also nice to know that you can pop out for a meal now and then, so everyone gets a break from the cooking! Here are some of the best places to grab a bite to eat in Seahouses.
The Old Ship Inn, NE68 7RD – good old-fashioned cooking served in nice big portions to fill you up! There is a beer garden which is perfect for long summer evenings socialising. Whether you are in for a relaxing drink or a tasty meal, the friendly atmosphere will make for a memorable evening.
St Aidan Bistro, NE68 7SR – The bistro offers an insight into the local produce that can be found in Northumberland. Serving a selection of the finest seafood, along with other cuisine, you can try a variety of scrumptious dishes whilst enjoying seaside views.
Neptune Fish Restaurant, NE68 7SJ - Whether you want fish and chips to take away or want a cheerful, friendly fish and chip restaurant, Neptune Fish Restaurant is a popular local spot for fish and chips in Northumbria.
Trotters Family Bakers, NE68 7RQ - It bakes all of its bread fresh every day, to ensure that you get the best quality. Here you can get your hands on the finest breads, baguettes, bloumers, rolls and stotties in Northumberland!
Elan Pizzeria, NE68 7TP – Enjoy carefully created artisan dishes sourced from the freshest ingredients. It’s nice to have a bit of variety!
Places to stay in Seahouses
Feature cottage: Seascape, sleeps 4. This is a gorgeous cottage decorated in a fresh, nautical style with views out over the sea. Dolphins and seals can be easily spotted from the balcony and it is perfectly situated to explore all that Seahouses has to offer.
For more on our coastal accommodation read our guide to the 8 best cottages in Seahouses.
With an extensive range of activities to keep you busy and our unique collection of holiday cottages providing a welcome place to rest your tired feet, Seahouses is the ideal destination for a Great British break. Each one of our coastal retreats is completely unique - if you’re searching for self-catering cottages in Seahouses, look no further.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.