Lucy's pick for when the evenings draw in and there's a reason to make a bit of an effort, whether that's a birthday supper, an early Christmas do, or just a Friday night by the fire at a favourite pub. Navy satin scattered with polka dots, with a little frill at the collar and cuffs that does most of the work for you. Tuck it into dark jeans with ankle boots, or wear it with a midi skirt when the night calls for something smarter.
There's nothing quite like a cold Northumberland morning to remind you that a pretty hat isn't necessarily a warm one.
I spotted this lovely cream cable-knit hat at Stag Rock Country Clothing over the weekend and, at just £15, couldn't resist.
Lucy's pick for the weeks when a dress still feels right but anything summery doesn't. Soft green corduroy in a relaxed skater shape with a neat square neckline, from Nobody's Child. Layer it over a fine long-sleeve top with thick tights and boots, and it's ready for a wander round Bamburgh and a long lunch somewhere warm, with the colour sitting perfectly against the coast's autumn greens and browns.
Lucy's pick for the in-between weeks when it's too warm for a coat but too cold for bare arms. The pointelle knit adds just enough interest to lift a plain roll neck, and the sage colourway sits nicely against the greens and greys of the Northumberland coast in autumn. Soft, easy to layer, and forgiving on a day full of walking.
Lucy's pick for autumn weekends when the plan is a wander round Alnwick, coffee in a café, then a pint somewhere with a fire. A softer, modern take on the Western boot in warm taupe suede, with a low block heel that's sensible enough for cobbles and Skechers Memory Foam insoles that make a long day on your feet feel a lot shorter. They look just as right with jeans as with a midi skirt and thick tights.
The push-to-drink lid sounds like a gimmick until you're one-handed on a lead with Meg pulling for a rabbit and don't want coffee down your coat. Keeps drinks hot for hours, which matters when a five-minute stop on the coast path turns into forty because the view's too good to leave.
The little white dish currently keeping the whole house online — and about to have adventures further afield too. Five days without broadband was enough to send Tom looking to the sky, and the Starlink Mini has been genuinely brilliant once we sorted the Wi-Fi coverage properly. Compact enough that it's already on the shortlist for the campervan.
The watch currently keeping Tom up at night — a 38mm Khaki Field Murph with a new blue-to-black dial, cathedral hands and an 80-hour automatic movement. He's already sold and re-bought this model more times than either of us can count, so we're calling it: this might finally be ‘the one’. Paired with a steel bracelet for something that's meant to pick up a few scratches along the way.
This is the coat Lucy reaches for when the forecast is doing that Northumberland thing where it can't commit to rain or shine. It's properly waterproof without the crinkly noise most rain jackets make, breathable enough for a brisk coastal walk, and the deep khaki goes with everything already in the wardrobe.
A proper everyday layer, this one, brushed fleece on the inside and a zip neck that actually stays put. Mid blue is an easy colour to reach for, whether it's under a gilet on a cold morning or on its own for a lazy Sunday. Simple, well-made, no fuss.
Proper Harris Tweed, woven on the islands and cut with a tailored fit that doesn't sacrifice warmth for shape. The green herringbone is the kind of pattern that looks better the more it's worn in, and it's heavy enough to shrug off a Northumberland wind coming in off the coast. This is the jacket Tom reaches for when a walk turns into a pub lunch afterwards.
The 585 is the boot we reach for when the forecast cant decide what its doing, which in Northumberland is most days. Pull-on, no laces to fuss with, and the rustic brown leather only gets better with a bit of weather on it. Equally at home over jeans on a coastal walk or kicking around the yard with Meg underfoot.
Tom's shortlist for a proper leather boot that doesn't need weeks of breaking in. Full-grain leather upper with a GORE-TEX lining keeps feet dry on the wettest coast path days, and the Vibram sole is built for exactly the mixed mud-and-rock terrain Northumberland throws at you. Heavy enough to feel sturdy, not so heavy you notice it by mile ten.
Not exactly Northumberland attire, but this one's earned its place for the odd fancy-dress night and county show. A proper 100% wool felt cattleman hat in sand, finished with a black and brown leather concho band and a comfortable cotton sweatband — sturdy enough to actually wear, not just pose in.
Cosy, lightweight and made for every season. Perfect for crisp coastal mornings and relaxed evenings outdoors, designed with comfort and simplicity in mind — the layer you'll keep reaching for.
The layer for before sunrise walks, coastal breezes and evenings around the campsite. Warm without feeling bulky, designed for life outdoors with a timeless look that feels just as at home in the village café as it does on the trail.
Made for slow mornings, long walks and everything in between. Crafted from soft, comfortable cotton with a relaxed fit you'll reach for day after day, finished in signature Heather & Sand colours with a subtle Northumberland logo.
A soft, flattering everyday T-shirt inspired by Northumberland's beaches, hills and quiet places. Easy to wear, beautifully simple and finished with subtle Heather & Sand branding. Designed in Northumberland, made for wherever the path leads.
Lucy's find for a breezy day out along the coast path. A relaxed, mini-length smock in soft viscose from M&S's Per Una line, with a square neckline front and back and delicate lace trim on the bodice and tiered skirt. Easy to throw on with sandals for a café stop or a wander through Alnwick.
Tom's pick for standing out on the coast path in weather that can't decide what it's doing. Made from Filson's waxed Tin Cloth, a heavyweight cotton that softens and moulds to you over time, this hip-length jacket shrugs off brambles, drizzle and gorse without complaint. Lined through the body for extra warmth, with a slotted pencil pocket that's handy for sketching sketchbook notes on a walk.
Tom's go-to for wet, changeable days on the fells. Built from Fjällräven's tough G-1000 fabric, these trousers hold up to whatever the Northumberland coast path throws at them, with proper ventilation zips for the climbs and a knife pocket that's seen more use than expected on a walk.