Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, here is how we would spend it. Everything starts from your front door in Beadnell, and most days need only a short drive. If you are bringing a dog, look for the dog-friendly notes.

A short break: 3 nights

Friday: arrive and unwind. Check in from 4pm, drop your bags and walk straight onto the sands of Beadnell Bay. In the evening, stroll five minutes to The Landing for a drink. Friday is curry night, cooked by their Sri Lankan chef, and it is dog-friendly.

Saturday: islands and castles. Take a morning boat trip from Seahouses, five minutes up the road, to the Farne Islands. Look for puffins from April to late July and grey seal pups in the autumn, and book ahead in summer. Have fish and chips from Neptune’s in Seahouses, then spend the afternoon at Bamburgh Castle and on its beach. In Bamburgh village, the Potted Lobster and the Lord Crewe Arms are both excellent for a meal. In the evening, have dinner at the Craster Arms in Beadnell, which serves good pub food and has live music on Saturdays in season.

Sunday: harbour, roast and coast path. Start with breakfast at the village shop, which now serves breakfasts and food during the day, then explore Beadnell harbour, the old lime kilns and the rock pools at Ebb's Nook. Have Sunday lunch at Beadnell Towers, where the roast is excellent. Then walk it off: it is about three and a half miles along the beach to Low Newton-by-the-Sea, with views across to Dunstanburgh Castle, and the Ship Inn there is perfect for a pint and sandwiches. Dog-friendly. In the evening, pick up a takeaway pizza from the hut behind the dunes and spend a cosy night in.

Monday: one last look. The sun rises over the sea here, so an early beach walk is worth it. Check out by 10am, and stop at Alnwick Castle and The Alnwick Garden on your way home along the A1.

A week in Northumberland

Day 1, Saturday: settle in. Arrive from 4pm, walk on the beach, then walk round to the Craster Arms for supper. There is live music on Saturdays in season.

Day 2, Sunday: Beadnell on foot. After breakfast at the village shop, visit the harbour, the lime kilns and the rock pools at Ebb's Nook in the morning, then have Sunday roast at Beadnell Towers. In the afternoon, walk along the bay to the Long Nanny burn. Dog-friendly, but keep dogs on short leads near the tern colony from May to July.

Day 3, Monday: the Farne Islands. Take a boat trip from Seahouses to see puffins, seals and the seabird cliffs, then explore the harbour and have fish and chips from Neptune’s. In the evening, stay on for dinner at the Black Swan, or pizza at Elan Pizzeria or Insieme, all in Seahouses.

Day 4, Tuesday: Holy Island and Bamburgh. Cross the causeway to Lindisfarne to see the priory, the castle and the village. Always check the safe crossing times before you set off. On the way back, stop in Bamburgh for lunch in the walled garden, then visit the castle and its beach.

Day 5, Wednesday: the coast path. Walk about three and a half miles south along the beach to Low Newton-by-the-Sea for a pint and sandwiches at the Ship Inn. Then go on past Dunstanburgh Castle to Craster for its famous kippers, and stop at the Jolly Fisherman, which overlooks the sea, for crab sandwiches. Back in Beadnell, a takeaway pizza from the hut behind the dunes is the perfect end to the day. This is one of the finest coastal walks in England. Dog-friendly.

Day 6, Thursday: Alnwick. Visit Alnwick Castle and The Alnwick Garden, and have lunch in the Treehouse restaurant in the gardens. Browse Barter Books, one of Britain's largest second-hand bookshops, then have afternoon tea at The Cookie Jar. Alternatively, visit Cragside at Rothbury. In the evening, treat yourselves to dinner at Beadnell Towers.

Day 7, Friday: hills or history. Head inland to Wooler and the Cheviot Hills for big skies and quiet walks, or drive about an hour and a half to Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Roman Fort. Finish the week with curry night at The Landing.

Day 8, Saturday: home. Enjoy a sunrise walk and check out by 10am. If you are heading south, Warkworth Castle is a lovely last stop, and neighbouring Amble has The Fish Shack on the harbour for lunch.

Good to know

Book Farne Islands boat trips and dinner at Beadnell Towers ahead in the summer holidays. Many attractions have their own rules on dogs, so check before you go. For all our food and drink recommendations, see Where to Eat & Drink. For more ideas, see our Discover Northumberland guide or ask Dianne. She is always happy to share local tips.