When we decided on a May staycation close to home we had a fair few boxes we needed to tick.
Mostly though, we wanted somewhere where 3 generations of my family would be happy and comfortable as well as the doggo 🐾
If travel reviews are your thing then this is for you ….
Alnmouth is about a 90-minute drive up north for us. It’s a beautiful village hugging the River Aln’s estuary where it meets the wild North Sea. It’s also known as the Tobermory of Northumberland, thanks to its row of cheerful, colourful cottages that brighten up the shoreline. It has even been crowned as one of ‘Britain’s 30 greatest villages’ in one of those popularity lists by The Telegraph.
This was a Mon-Fri breakaway that included me and the Mr, my mum, youngest kidult who is 27 and doggo, Barney Boo.
We booked a three-bedroom house via my favourite travel platform, Booking.com. Garden House is just a short stroll from the beach and from the moment we arrived, it felt like a perfect fit. The house was bright, spacious, and thoughtfully laid out, giving everyone their own space while still being cosy enough for evenings together around the dining table in the kitchen or curled up in the living room.
The kitchen was well equipped with everything and we loved the little touches: the welcome basics like milk, tea, coffee and a bottle of prosecco, a log burner for chilly evenings and even a stash of dog towels and treats – a very good start in Barney’s opinion. There was under floor heating but we didn’t need to try this out as we found the house was always lovely and snug on our return.
The bedrooms were decorated in modern style. We all agreed the beds were very comfortable. We are really fussy about bedding and pillows and they were spot on. Storage could’ve been a bit better in the bedroom my mum slept in – she had to keep her clothes in her case as nowhere to put them. Everyone slept well, including Barney, who quickly claimed his favourite sunny spot on the bean bag in the living room. There was an enclosed courtyard style garden, too.
I received a welcome message from the owner, Susan who couldn’t have been more helpful during our stay.
We met her in person, too. My son helped her out with a problem she was having with the wifi and some new tech she’d bought. He works in IT so the timing the morning it was going wrong was perfect for her. It didn’t take him long to suss out the issue and the fix required..
The icing on the cake has to be the location.
Alnmouth is small but perfectly formed and packed with charm. It has a couple of great pubs, a village shop/post office, a deli, and that glorious beach that seems to go on forever.
We spent hours walking along the sand and watching the ever-changing sky and sea. We shared a bottle of fizz on our last evening, sitting on the sand watching Mother Nature at its very best.
One of our favourite trips was to Low Newton which is a short drive up the coast. Here we explored the wide beach and rock pools. Barney Boo was in his element there, bounding from one salty rock puddle to the next. There’s a pub that came well recommended here called The Ship Inn but sadly we missed the lunch cut off at 3pm as we were too busy exploring. Next time.
Some of our favourite places to eat that we’d heartily recommend when we’ve been in this part of the world before are The Joiners Arms at Newton-by-the-Sea and The Jolly Fisherman at Craster.
Back in Alnmouth, we sampled the food at the gorgeous Whittling House – a must-visit if you’re in the area. Think beautifully cooked, seasonal dishes with a warm, relaxed atmosphere. It felt like a real treat but still welcoming enough that we didn’t feel out of place after a windswept beach walk. We had a late lunch here on my birthday.
It’s lush having a birthday when you are on holiday. Colin the Caterpillar apparently travels, too!! Although, I will add that there is an M&S food store a short 10 minute drive away along with an Aldi and a Sainsburys.
Am I allowed to pose for my 62nd birthday? Yes!! I bought this gingham dress recently and saved it for its first wear on my birthday. I love it … and … POCKETS!!
We wanted to try the local bistro but disappointingly it was the only place that wasn’t dog friendly. We didn’t want to leave Barney behind at the house. It was his holiday after all, too!!
We enjoyed pizzas and beer early evening one night at The Red Lion Inn and had fish and chips takeaway another night from The Hope & Anchor.
Everything you need whether eating out or in is close by … perfect.
We spent a lovely morning in nearby Alnwick on our last full day, browsing the independent shops and stopping for coffee and scones. I mean, no family trip is complete without snacks, is it? My 82 year old mum loves a cake stop! One or two purchases may have been made here, too.
The Northumberland coast line is practically littered with castles. It’s home to over seventy of them. This makes it the county with the most castles in the whole of England. We’ve visited the most well known ones at one time or another and I recommend adding some of them to your sight seeing list if you ever decide to visit.
He was out for the count every night after wading through rock pools and running in the surf.
✔️ Perfect for multigenerational stays – enough space for everyone to relax without stepping on each other’s toes.
✔️ Dog friendly – with thoughtful touches like bowls, towels and treats, plus miles of beach to explore.
✔️ Walkable location – shops, pubs, and the beach all within easy reach. There’s no need to get in the car the whole stay unless you want to explore further.
✔️ Cosy and well equipped – a proper home-from-home with everything you need for a comfortable stay.
✔️ Gorgeous surroundings– Alnmouth’s charm and the nearby coastline make it a real gem.
💡Limited parking – there’s space, but it might feel a bit tight if you’re arriving with more than one car. Alnmouth is a one way system.
💡Popular spot – Alnmouth gets busy, especially on sunny weekends, so it’s worth booking restaurants or takeaways ahead of time.
💡 Physical Ability – the coastline as you can imagine is very up and down when walking. My mum is a very fit and able 80+ year old despite a triple bypass 12 years ago. She can walk for miles like the best of us.
Absolutely. It ticked every box for us. A relaxed, scenic base with room for everyone, just the right level of comfort and that unbeatable Northumberland coastline on the doorstep.
Already eyeing up dates for the same time next year…
I hope you enjoy my Travel Diaries and find them useful when planning your own trips 💗
Love,
