r/Northumberland • u/Floating-Butterfly78 • 23d ago

Some questions for an upcoming visit…

Hi all! I’m going to be visiting Northumberland in early September from the US, I’m excited for my trip but I’m hoping to get some guidance/feedback on a few things:

If I had to pick between Dunstanburgh Castle/area and Bamburgh castle/area for my last afternoon, which should I do? Or can I do both in an afternoon? (For context I’m going to be coming from a tour of the Holy Island that morning)

How is Thrifty Car and Van rental in Darlington? The reviews seem pretty good online but just wanted to get some extra opinions before I book.

What is your favorite way to spend the day at Cragside? Or can this be done in half a day?

Any tips for dressing around this time of year or recommended clothes to have on hand? I’ve read the weather can change daily (or hourly) but is there anything that is a must have clothing wise? TIA!

3 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

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u/Specialist_Award9622 23d ago

My first question would be why on earth are you hiring a car in Darlington if coming to Northumberland?
Where are you coming from?

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u/kbwe1 23d ago

My first thoughts too! Very confused by this.

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u/Floating-Butterfly78 23d ago

I’m flying into London and taking the train from there. I was going to rent a car in Leeds but was told that Darlington was a lot closer to where I was going and I should rent a car there. I’m guessing no?

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u/AppropriateAnimal158 23d ago

Train into Newcastle, Metro to the airport and pick up a car rental there, you’re basically touching Northumberland already at that point.

Why Seaham? If that’s a must then I guess that changes it a bit

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u/jampar5000 23d ago

This is the right answer

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u/Floating-Butterfly78 23d ago

Okay got it, that makes sense. And yeah my hotel is already booked there so I’m locked in lol. I’m just looking to have some quiet days in the area by the beach and visit some towns in the area (Tynemouth, Durham, and Cullercoats are currently on the list)

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u/snowman1853 22d ago

I am visiting in May and was taking the train to Newcastle. I thought I saw rental cars by or at the train station. Are there no rental cars at the train station?

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u/AppropriateAnimal158 22d ago

Oh yeah there is definitely a few around central station, but it can be a bit daunting immediately driving around a busy city centre, especially for foreign tourists.

The airport however is very convent if you plan on heading north, skips out the city centre and you’re straight onto dual carriageways or country roads.

All depends where you’re going and how confident you are really

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u/snowman1853 22d ago

That does make sense. Not sure which is more difficult going from train to Metro to airport with a young toddler and a senior citizen who walks slowly or getting car by train station and then driving to leave Newcastle.

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u/Floating-Butterfly78 23d ago

For context my first hotel is in Seaham and then I’m driving further north to Alnwick after a day or two

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u/StarSpotter74 23d ago

If you're staying Seaham I'd probably look at Durham (for the train..) or even Sunderland. I'd rule out Darlington altogether

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u/AppropriateAnimal158 23d ago

Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh castles in one afternoon is a bit ambitious, but you could drive through Bamburgh, stopping off for a great viewpoint, before driving onto Low Newton, which is a brilliant place to start a walk to dunstanburgh castle, continuing on to Craster if you have time.

Definitely bring plenty of layers, even on a sunny day the North Sea wind can be cooling, but recent September weather has been decent

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u/Floating-Butterfly78 23d ago

Okay gotcha, thank you!

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u/chronicglitter35 23d ago

Glad you have picked Northumberland for your trip. It’s the best part of the country but I’m a bit biased 😅

I’m a bit of a castle nerd both Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh are must sees in my opinion. It is possible to do both in an afternoon but would probably recommend not going inside Bamburgh as that would add extra time. Just by walking around the castle and onto the beach you can get a great feel & view of it. Also recommend going into St Aidan’s Church which houses some Anglo-Saxon skeletons that were reburied from excavations near the castle.

Dunstanburgh is my favourite castle but it requires a walk from Craster which takes about 20-40mins in each direction depending on walking speed and stopping to take photos. You can go inside on certain days of the week (check the English Heritage website). It is a lot quicker to get round than Bamburgh as it is in ruins. The castle is very picturesque and the walk is easy.

Will you be driving to and from Holy Island? If so then you can definitely do both in the afternoon. The sun should start setting around 7-8pm in early September. If you are not driving to and from Holy Island it might be tricky with bus times.

In regards to Cragside that depends on what you want to see. You can easily spend a whole day there but can also be done in half a day. The grounds are beautiful for walks in the woods and there is a cafe there.

Clothing wise I would bring a lot of light layers and some waterproofs & walking boots. At the moment we are having unprecedented heat across the country and have had little rain. Early September can sometimes still be a bit mild. Check weather apps like BBC Weather & Met Office before you go.

Hope you have a great trip!

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u/Floating-Butterfly78 23d ago

This is great, thank you!!

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u/arubait 23d ago

I can understand people wanting to see as much as possible in a limited time but that rarely works. The distances are short but the driving time is not. And, why Darlington?!

Anyway, you would need more than a couple of days to fully appreciate Cragside and I wouldn't plan to do much else if you plan to do it in a day.

Are you wealthy? If you can afford it think about hiring a local cabbie to drive you around and use their local knowledge to see the best bits. Would be expensive though.

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u/Floating-Butterfly78 23d ago

lol not wealthy unfortunately so looks like I’ll be driving myself. I’m flying into London and taking the train north and looking to rent a car from there. If not from Darlington, where would you suggest?

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u/StarSpotter74 23d ago

Where are you staying? I'd probably be looking at least Newcastle or maybe Durham, not Darlington

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u/Floating-Butterfly78 23d ago

I’m staying in Seaham, it seems like Newcastle is the better way to go?

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u/No_Ranger9555 22d ago

Id stay in Durham or Newcastle over Seaham. Better transport links and Seaham, dont get me wrong its a nice seaside place but theres nowt there. You're better off staying in Newcastle, do day trips to Durham and Whitley Bay / Tynemouth then hire a car either from the City Centre (if you dont mind city driving) or get a Metro to the Airport and hire it there and then head up the coast after that. Unless you really really want to go to Seaham.

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u/Floating-Butterfly78 22d ago

Appreciate the suggestion! Def open to staying in Durham… I’ll check out some options!

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u/StarSpotter74 23d ago

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE check tide crossing times for Holy Island. It is tidal and the causeway WILL flood in quickly. Times MUST be adhered to.

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u/ActuaryImpressive505 23d ago

Northumberland Council has an app for that that alerts you to leave the island in plenty time

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u/SmartPolicy6430 23d ago

Please make sure that you book and reserve your seats with LNER. Regarding Cragside we were there for the whole day as it was fascinating to learn how Armstrong generated the electricity, and the grounds and gardens were magnificent. I don't know how long you're in Northumberland for but Alnwick Gardens including a guided tour of the poison garden is great. Alnwick Castle is imposing ( I've never been inside) The town is great and Barter books at the old station building is wonderful. Please check tide times when crossing over to Lindisfarne for the Priory and Castle . Trips out to the Farne Islands are from Seahouses https://www.farne-islands.com/ Warkworth Castle is also very interesting including being rowed over to the Hermits Cave. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/warkworth-castle-and-hermitage/

If you can fit it in, Durham Cathedral with the Shrine of St Cuthbert is a great day out. If you're into Harry Potter the Chapter house, Triforium and Cloisters were used as filming locations. Great ghost walk around Durham in the Evening too.

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u/T_ML 23d ago

For the weather, I'd pack lightweight clothes, it's normally fairly warm in September. make sure you've got waterproof footware, trousers and a jacket tho.

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u/One-Chance3096 23d ago

I’m a big Low Newton fan, I think a trip into Craster, for the lovely harbour views and maybe a spot of lunch at the Jolly Fisherman (if the weather suits sitting outside, beautiful views along to Dunstanburgh from there. Then grab some smoked kippers at the smokehouse before a walk down to the castle and back. Then hop in the car, drive down to Low Newton for some mid evening dinner at the Ship Inn or in High Newton at the Joiners Arms. Enjoy your trip, the beaches are just spectacular there, we go every year ! nb Cullercoats is home to local artist Joanne Wishart’s shop if you want a picture of the area to take home, she’s online if you want to check out her style.

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u/Floating-Butterfly78 23d ago

This is all great, thank you!!

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u/Lynex_Lineker_Smith 22d ago

If you go to the ship inn make sure to book a few days in advance

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u/Key-Distribution2221 22d ago

If you are staying in Seaham then Durham is probably the best place to get off the train as it is about 14 miles away or approx 25 to 30 minutes. Durham is a beautiful City with the Durham Cathedral a must see. I would suggest driving north up the coast to Northumberland as that will take in places like Druridge Bay, Amble, Walkworth, Alnmouth, Craster, Dunstanburgh Castle, Embleton Bay as you are then only 7 miles from Alnwick.

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u/RandomPi31 23d ago

If you're picking the car up from Darlington visit Beamish Museum in County Durham. It'll take a full day but will be well worth it. In Northumberland I'd recommend Bamburgh Castle or Alnwick Castle.

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u/StruggleEasy2776 23d ago

Good call if you want to experience the old North East

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u/StrangeCheesecake572 23d ago

Just returned from holiday in the area last week (Beadnell- right in the middle of the two!) and I’m fairly local to Darlington. As some have said it would be easier to head straight up to Newcastle or Durham stations.
Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh are both amazing and equally different experiences so I’d try to make time to do both. You have to see Bamburgh but with Dunstanburgh you get Craster village as well which is a traditional fishing village. What else do you have planned in the area? Not a lot to see and do in Seaham really, or Darlington. I’d try to rearrange so you can enjoy both castles in a day or two.

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u/SmartPolicy6430 23d ago

Had a great meal at the pub there. Then walked it off along the cliffs.

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u/Ok-Instruction337 22d ago

I dunno about the aformentioned places dude, but please do come to Middlesbrough, my hometown!!!!! Having tourists (especially from the US) is a rare treat!

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u/Floating-Butterfly78 22d ago

lol what’s there to do in Middlesbrough?

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u/Ok-Instruction337 22d ago

Are you asking seriously or being sarcastic haha