The village of Bamburgh sits on the central Northumberland coast, a rural community at the steps of a millennia-old castle overlooking some of the most pristine beaches in England. Thousands of years of history are exemplified by its gothic architecture and historical sites like the 11th-century Bamburgh Castle — just a stone’s throw from the village centre — and the nearby St Aidan’s Church.

Lounging on the beach, surfing, and kitesurfing are popular activities during the summer, as are hiking and exploring the nearby Northumberland National Park. You could also spend time in this idyllic village, wandering the cobbled streets lined with cafes and boutique art galleries with rolling green hills in the background. Bamburgh’s convenient location makes it easy to explore not only the surrounding coasts and countryside, but also the larger cultural centres of Newcastle and Edinburgh, across the Scottish border.

Newcastle International Airport (NCL) serves several UK cities and is about an hour’s drive from Bamburgh. There are no direct trains to the village — you’ll need to take a train to Berwick or Alnwick and then take a bus. But if you’re arriving by air, renting a vehicle at the airport is the most straightforward — and quickest — option. Having a car also allows you to easily explore the surrounding Northumbrian countryside as well as bigger cities like Edinburgh and Newcastle. The hamlet of Bamburgh is compact and easy to get around on foot, making it a joy to venture between your holiday cottage and one of the village’s tea shops or cafes.

Weather conditions vary moderately throughout the year in Bamburgh. Summers are mild and pleasant, with an abundance of beach activities and events in the surrounding areas — Alnwick’s music festival being one of the more popular ones. This week-long celebration in August takes over the village of Alnwick for days of traditional folk music, poetry, spoken word, and dancing. Winters in the area are cold, with below-freezing temperatures, occasional snowfall, and lots of frosty morning walks. The shoulder seasons can be brisk, with some increase in rainfall compared to the rest of the year. Autumn provides a beautiful backdrop of orange hues, and the spring brings a bounty of cherry blossoms to appreciate while exploring the countryside and sprawling coastline.

Kielder Observatory

Located around two hours’ drive from Bamburgh amid the Kielder Forest’s coniferous woodlands, the Kielder Observatory is a solar- and wind-powered astronomical observatory that makes for an excellent all-ages, wheelchair-accessible outing. Take in one of the nightly tours and astronomical presentations with a chance to see shooting stars, the Milky Way, and other planets in this dark-sky region.

Northumberland Coast Path

This 62-mile walking path follows the rugged Northumberland coastline from Cresswell all the way north to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Bamburgh’s location a little over halfway up the trail makes it the perfect base for exploring portions of the path. You’ll trek over beaches, sand dunes, and rocky outcrops, and pass by dramatic castles and charming coastal villages along the way. You can spend a couple of days hiking the entire length of the path, or a couple of hours checking out the portions of it near town.

Alnwick Garden

Just 30 minutes’ drive from Bamburgh, this 12-acre series of ornamental gardens has an array of seasonal blooms and floral displays, including fountains and water features as well as a Rose Garden and a Cherry Orchard. There’s even a Poison Garden, containing dangerous and intoxicating plants. You’ll also find a craft cottage, bamboo labyrinth, and kitchen on site.