Tom and Lucy on the coastal path at Bamburgh, with the castle in the distance
Northumberland.

Not just where to go.What it feels like to be here.

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If you live, love or are visiting Northumberland, let Heather & Sand be your guide. Journal shares our stories and adventures, Guide covers where to go, walk, eat and explore, Listed has the practical details on places and events, and Curated is a collection of things we like, and think you might too. Whether it’s your first visit or you already know and love this corner of the world, come along. Heather & Sand is simply about enjoying Northumberland.

Lucy & Meg walk beneath Bamburgh castleJournal

A Quiet Sunday in Bamburgh

We swapped the Cheviots for a grey morning in Bamburgh. There was a beach almost to ourselves, a Sunday roast worth waiting for, and two people who’d come a very long way for lunch.

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Christmas markets, light trails, festive afternoonGuide

Christmas in Northumberland

Christmas markets, light trails, festive afternoon teas and Boxing Day walks across Northumberland, with dates, prices, booking links and dog rules.

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Tom watching television at home with Meg asleep beside him and Lucy’s seat empty.Journal

The Northumbria Mysteries: I Know That View

I promised Lucy we’d watch it together. Three episodes later, I have a few reservations about the mysteries, an excellent opinion of the scenery, and some explaining to do.

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Listed

Chillingham Castle

An atmospheric Northumberland castle filled with curious collections, unsettling corners and gardens that offer a welcome breath of fresh air.

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Listed

Simonside Hills Circular Walk

Rocky paths, heather-covered hills and enormous Northumberland views: our Simonside walk brought autumn sunshine, happy dogs and a few breathless moments.

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Sitting at the barListed

Townfoot Café and Bar

A welcoming Rothbury café and bar serving seriously generous breakfasts, with good value, a comfortable setting and evening drinks and live music.

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Grace Darling and her father rowing out to seaGuide

Grace Darling in Bamburgh: The Rescue, the Museum and Her Grave

Tom visits Grace Darling’s grave and the RNLI museum in Bamburgh, while Peter tells the story of the rescue that began at Longstone Lighthouse.

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Montage image of our day outJournal

Golden Light & Darker Corners

A Friday to-do list takes us from an enormous breakfast in Rothbury to the heights of Simonside, before the last of October’s golden light leads us to Chillingham Castle. Some places stay with you longer than others.

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Preston Tower in more dangerous timesGuide

Border Reivers in Northumberland: Pele Towers and Bastles

From Preston Tower to Coquetdale, Peter looks at the fortified homes that tell the story of the Border Reivers.

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Curated

Satin Polka Dot Collared Frill Detail Shirt

A navy satin polka dot shirt from M&S with frilled collar and cuffs. Lucy's easy smart-casual pick for autumn evenings and festive nights out.

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Curated

Bartleby Waterproof Thermal Hat — Cream

A cosy cream cable-knit hat with waterproof, windproof protection and warm Sherpa fleece lining. Lucy's £15 winter find from Stag Rock Country Clothing.

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Curated

Cord Square Neck Mini Skater Dress - Green

A green cotton corduroy skater dress from Nobody's Child. Lucy layers it with tights and boots for easy autumn days on the Northumberland coast.

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Journal

Sunday Lunch, Cursed Bottles & a Car Alarm

Sunday lunch at The Dirty Bottles in Alnwick, a haunted castle that wasn’t open, and a car alarm that gave Bamburgh’s holiday cottages an afternoon’s entertainment.

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Dirty Bottles in AlnwickListed

Dirty Bottles

A historic pub on Narrowgate with a strong local reputation, named for the dust-covered bottles said to have sat untouched in the window for over a century.

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Listed

Ruby Tuesday Alnwick

A charming gift shop on Narrowgate with locally made art and crafts, and famously friendly, knowledgeable staff.

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Mystery cartoon of Lucy and Tom at Bamburgh Castle at dusk, with Meg watching from the car and a pale figure at an upper window.Journal

The Mystery of the Last Visitors

One last photograph at Bamburgh Castle turns into a spooky Halloween adventure for Lucy and Tom. Fortunately, Meg is paying attention. A playful fictional tale.

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Sun setting on The Lord Crewe Arms at BlanchlandJournal

A Birthday Weekend in Blanchland

Tom's birthday surprise: a weekend at The Lord Crewe Arms in Blanchland, with fire pits on the terrace, dinner in the old abbey and an unforgettable Bakewell tart.

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Listed

Lord Crewe Arms

A wonderful historic inn at the heart of one of Northumberland's prettiest villages, with a striking crypt bar, beautifully appointed rooms and excellent, thoughtful food - well worth the trip out.

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Journal

The Best Laid Plans (and a Very Small Fish)

Corbridge, Hexham, a soggy pumpkin patch and a very small fish — an October Saturday that didn't go to plan, rescued by excellent cheesecake in Belsay.

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Windswept Bamburgh BeachJournal

Gone With the Wind. Almost.

A blustery walk along Bamburgh Beach to Stag Rock and its little lighthouse, a lovely discovery at The Walled Garden — and a moment with Meg we'd rather forget.

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Journal

Where Is Everybody?

An empty causeway, a murder story from a little book hut, a tide that strands us, a black rabbit, singing from the lime kilns, and a missing Meg.

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Listed

Shoreline Café

Friendly village café serving homemade cakes, sandwiches, light lunches and fresh coffee opposite the local gallery.

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Listed

The Blacksmiths Coffee Shop

A lovely rural café by Belsay, popular with cyclists, with excellent bacon rolls, home baking and bottomless filter coffee.

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Inside Dunstanburgh CastleListed

Dunstanburgh Castle

Dramatic 14th-century ruins on a headland reached by an easy coastal walk from Craster, one of the most photographed castles on this stretch of coast.

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Low winter sun setting over flat grassy marshland with streaks of orange light and a banded cloudy sky.Gallery

Late light over Beadnell

A sunset that made our walk home worth every step.

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Silhouette of a large house with chimneys and a small tower seen from across a beach at sunrise, thin band of orange light on the horizon and cloudy sky above.Gallery

Beach Court at Dawn

Early light rising behind Beach Court by Beadnell harbour.

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Plate of roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, carrots, broccolini and green beans served with gravy.Gallery

Proper Sunday at The Middle Inn

Roast beef, yorkie and perfectly steamed veg with extra gravy.

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