Holiday rentals in Beadnell

The Northumberland village of Beadnell, which overlooks the vast expanse of the North Sea, is known for its sandy shores and ideal water sports conditions — the middle and south stretches of the crescent-shaped Beadnell Bay kick up enough swell for surfing, with waves reaching five metres on good days. At over three kilometres long, the dog-friendly beach is also a popular spot for walks in the bracing salty air.

Grass-covered dunes climb up from the water’s edge past centuries-old stone cottages toward the town. The south end of the village houses Beadnell Harbour, the only west-facing harbour on the East Coast. The undulating stone structures here are 18th-century lime kilns, although today they’re more likely to store lobster traps. The main village is where you can most easily grab a bite to eat — fresh North Sea cod makes stellar fish and chips. Just a 15-minute walk away from Beadnell, Annstead Dunes Nature Reserve is home to narrow, snaking paths where visitors come to spot grazing wild ponies and nesting curlews, along with wildflowers and lizards.

Beadnell is an English beach town, which means that it’s at its most lively between June and September. This is when the weather is best for surfing and sailing, sun-warmed walks on the sand, and long days of al fresco dining and drinks on the shore. Several sports shops in the village offer lessons and equipment rentals, and there are bike trails in the Cheviot Hills, about an hour’s drive inland. The off-season, which begins in October, is rainy and cool, but stormy weather lends atmosphere to walks around the bay — just be sure to bundle up. Pub lunches and a local pint by the fire are also popular ways to stave off the cold. Spring can be a pleasant time to explore Northumberland’s castles, including Bamburgh Castle and Lindisfarne on Holy Isle.

Farne Islands

A short boat ride away, the Farne Islands are a birding paradise — best known for their puffins, but equally blessed with terns, shags, and kittiwakes. Nest-building season begins in April and runs through to July. Grey seals also gather on the rocks, mixed with their white-furred pups in the colder months. The voyage around the isles is a joy of its own: boats leave from Seahouses harbour, five minutes north of Beadnell.

The Poison Garden

Around 20 minutes southwest of Beadnell, black iron gates within the five-hectare Alnwick Garden guard nearly 100 poisonous and intoxicating plants, including hemlock, deadly nightshade, and monkshood. All proceeds from visits to the Poison Garden go towards preserving and growing the garden for future generations.

Linhope Spout Waterfall

Located in the Cheviots, the Linhope Spout walk is a 4.8-kilometre round-trip route to a striking 18-metre waterfall and plunge pool. This is a popular spot for a picnic or a quick, chilly dip, especially on a hot summer’s day. Red squirrels may zip across your path in spring and autumn.