Fire-side games, pub lunches and brisk beach walks: how our owners like to spend their winter days in Northumberland
Published: Tuesday 19th Nov 2019
Winter is a magical time to visit Northumberland. The summer crowds have gone, leaving its beautiful beaches and castles to be explored in peace. Warming fires are the stars of the show, made for huddling around playing games, watching movies and sharing hearty meals. It’s also the place for me-time and a true escape from the frenzied side of Christmas.
Here some of our owners reveal what they love to do on a winter or Christmas getaway in Northumberland.
Anne Galbraith, owner of The Lodge @ Shirewater, Embleton: There’s nothing better on a cold, crisp winter’s day than a walk on Embleton Bay, returning to our cosy cottage with a log-burning stove and a view of the sea across the fields.
Low season breaks start at £510 at The Lodge. Available for a weekend break from December 4, Christmas, New Year, and various dates throughout January and February.Various dates available throughout December (including Christmas and New Year), January and February. Find out more here
Anne Shannon, owner of The Old Gardener’s, Craster: Our family absolutely love to walk the cliffs and beaches at Craster especially at Christmas. Spoilt for choice, we can walk up the coast with amazing views towards Dunstanburgh Castle and on to the beaches at Embleton and Newton by the sea or head south over the cliffs towards Cullernose Point and Sugar Sands. Ending the walk at the welcoming Jolly Fisherman then home to The Old Gardener’s to toast in front of the log burner is just bliss!
In the winter, holidays at The Old Gardener’s start at £560. Various dates available throughout December, January and February. Find out more here
At Seagrass, a visit to Bamburgh Castle is a must, as is a walk along the beach before returning back to the lodge and relaxing in front of the wood burner.
Low season breaks start at £715 at Seagrass. Various dates available throughout December (including Christmas), January and February. Find out more here
Patricia Francis, owner of The Smithy and The Forge, Tughall Steads: I like to build a fire while the kids play board games in their pyjamas, leave it unlit, pack Taffy and Bagel – my dogs – into the boot and drive to the beach. If it’s howling gales or lashing rain outside then the sea is pure drama but most often there’ll be a crisp blue sky with the sort of light you only see on the Northumberland coast, lighting up tiny beach birds catching their breakfast in the morning tide. Back at The Smithy, I’ll turf out the kids for an afternoon messing about on the beach – they like to pose for pictures and then we land full of sand with wet (but always very welcome) dogs at the Blink Bonny to warm up by the roaring fire and play a bit of pool. When we return, someone will have lit the fire and we relax with our books and playlist before heading out to The Joiners Arms for tea.
Prices start at £510 for a stay at The Smithy. Various dates available throughout December (including Christmas), January and February. Find out more here
Winter breaks start at £375 at The Forge. Various dates available throughout December (including Christmas and New Year), January and February. Find out more here
