Holiday rentals in Craster

The small fishing village of Craster sits in the middle of 40 miles of Northumberland coastline that have been declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making it an ideal place from which to walk the coastal path and enjoy some of Britain’s most overlooked beaches. The Craster family, who owned the land on which the village sits for 700 years, built its pretty harbour in 1904 in tribute to a son lost in war, and many of the houses surrounding it are built of the rare whinstone that was quarried nearby. The 18th-century mansion is now flats, and the village has a strong reputation with foodies, not least for the herrings that are turned into kippers in its celebrated smokehouse. A walk south will take you to Howick, with its charming Hall and Gardens; head north, towards the Scottish border, and you’ll quickly come across the area’s most hauntingly beautiful ruin, Dunstanburgh Castle.

Summer is the best time to stay in one of Craster’s cottages and enjoy the beaches of this northeastern coast, especially if you want to indulge in sunbathing. British weather is capricious at the best of times, and especially so the further north you travel, so it’s worth being prepared for any eventuality, and packing plenty of layers and waterproofs. Spring and summer can offer warm days combined with brisker ones, but the Northumberland landscape is particularly beautiful, and the stately homes and gardens that are dotted around the area are shown off to great advantage. Alnwick, seven miles south of Craster, puts on many open garden events during the spring, when its castle’s grounds are in bloom, and stages outdoor concerts and theatre in the summer, including a music festival.

Dunstanburgh Castle

Just north of Craster, and easily reached along the coastal path, the remains of this once vast fortress overlooks the North Sea. The massive stone walls of a former gatehouse, and the crumbled ruins of a double-turreted tower, hint at the extraordinary size of the 14th-century castle that once stood here.

Arnold Memorial Nature Reserve

This old quarry at the entrance to the village has been reclaimed by woodland and has become a rich habitat for birdlife, including a number of rare warblers and flycatchers. With streams and shrubs lined with foxgloves, it’s a pretty place to go for a stroll even if you’re not a regular birdspotter.

Sugar Sands Beach

Considered one of Northumberland’s best beaches, Sugar Sands remains relatively undiscovered because of its hard-to-reach location. The white sands of this hidden cove make it a locals’ favourite. Walk from Howick or Boulmer to enjoy its sheltered tranquillity, or drive to the dunes at Longhoughton and pay an honesty box parking fee.