Craster

The Craster and Alnwick Tourist Information Centres have a wide range of information for visitors and the following suggestions represent only a few ideas for visitors new to the area.

The Craster Community Trust web site provides much helpful information about Craster, including a well illustrated section on Craster's attractions.

On foot, in and around Craster

Places to eat in Craster and Dunstan;

• Enjoy sea views over lunch and dinner at The Jolly Fisherman, now under new management. (from April 2011). See reviews on Trip Adviser.

• If you enjoy sea food, a trip to Robson’s Smokehouse to purchase a taste of Craster to take home with you is a must. They also provide a mail order service if you would rather your kippers had separate travel arrangements! Their Fish Restaurant is open for lunches and dinners and meals may be booked on 01665 576223. Please note, the Restauarant is closed on Sundays and does not take credir/debit cards. See reviews on Trip Adviser.

• Visit the Shoreline Cafe, the village shop and tearoom, contemprary style.Just a few minutes walk from Harbour Lights. See reviews on Trip Adviser.

• The Cottage Inn in Dunstan is less than a mile from Harbour Lights. See reviews on Trip Adviser.

• The 'Café without walls' parked next to the Craster Tourist Information Centre. Try their kipper in a bun. Fantastic!

Local interest;

• Visit Mick Oxley's Gallery, in the centre of Craster, where he both paints and sells his work. In addition, the gallery offers a varied collection of silver jewellery, pottery and photographs. The gallery is opened as part of 'the Art Tour' organised by Network Artists in Northumberland.

• Examples of Mick's work and other local artists Emma George and Sylvia Biott can be seen at Harbour Lights.
  

• Take a sea fishing trip from the harbour with Douglas Hogg, ring 01665 576514.
  

• Craster is a great place for bird watching.

Or just relax! The ice cream van often parks by the harbour gardens on sunny days. Sit in the harbour and watch the world go by.

Walks along the coast;

• North to Dunstanburgh Castle managed by English Heritage, but National Trust membership secures entry also, is open in 2012 to the public as follows:

Dunstanburgh Castle on the National Trust and English Heritage sites

• round the castle headland to Embleton Beach; refreshments are available at the Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club and at the Ship Inn in Low Newton.

• South to Cullernose Point, home to a kittiwake colony, then on to Howick. The Old Bath House is visible close to the beach.

• The beaches along this section of coast range from small coves to dramatic expanses of sand. Occasionally grey seals can be spotted swimming close to the shore.

Walks inland;

• There is a short walk past the TIC through the Arnold Memorial Nature Reserve .

• If you wish, you could keep going and walk the two miles to Howick Hall Gardens (see below). If you leave the garden by the 'sea gate' and walk back along the coast this makes an excellent and varied six mile walk.

• The footpath over the road from the TIC, heading north,leads behind the Heugh, then goes on to Newton or meets up with the Dunstanburgh Coastal path.

Extend your walks by taking advantage of Craster's excellent coastal bus service - take the bus to Alnmouth in the south or Seahouses in the north and then walk to Craster.

Explore the coast with local bus company Arriva's Coast and Castle Service.

All these walks provide excellent opportunities for bird watching, wild flower spotting and photography.

By Bus

Craster has the benefit of a regular bus service, which links it to Alnwick, Berwick and north and south along the coast.

Arriva Northumberland run a service Monday to Saturday and a limited service on Sunday. Alnwick, Alnmouth, Boulmer, Longhoughton,  Craster, Embleton, High Newton, Beadnell, Seahouses, Bamburgh, and Budle Bay and on to Berwick are all on the route. Their Traveline No. is 0871 200 22 33.

Travelsure also provide a service along the coast.Their contact number is 01665 720955.
Download a copy of the Travelsure Timetable.

By car

Local places of interest include;

Howick Hall Gardens and Arboretum, is within walking distance if you are feeling energetic. Enjoy year round interest in this garden and look out for the red squirrels. Relax in the tea room with a pot of Earl Grey tea. This tea was specially blended for Earl Grey, the Victorian Prime Minister, who lived at Howick Hall. (10min)

Alnwick is a small market town that has retained its character. Market days are Saturday & Thursdays and there is a Farmers’ Market on the last Friday in each month. Early closing day is on Wednesday. (20min)

Barter Books is located in the old station buildings and houses a huge selection of second hand books. Teas, coffees and ‘Barter Bikkies’ can be bought very reasonably and customers are able to relax in front of open fires in cold weather. Parking is available, but space is limited. Bailiffgate Museum offers an interesting insight into the past.

Alnwick Castle and Garden are open to the public. Meals and snacks are available in the garden and in the Tree House Café.

Download a Town Plan of Alnwick (6.4Mb)

Find out more about Craster by following these links:

Northumberland Cam Photographs of Craster

Craster Living History A fascinating account of Craster by the people who live here.

Craster History The website of the Craster Local History Group, which contains much of interest.

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