If you love exploring sleepy English villages and visiting incredible castles, then you’ll love visiting Bamburgh. This village is a hidden gem having been named as the UK’s best seaside town by Which? magazine for three years running! It’s a small village with less than 500 residents, but don’t be fooled by it’s size! There are lots of things to see and do in Bamburgh – attracting thousands of visitors to the village each year.
What makes Bamburgh so popular? Bamburgh is a quintessential English village, nestled in the shadows of an ancient fortification. Once known as Bebbanburh, Bamburgh was the prosperous capital of the Kingdom of Northumbria. Today, those moments of glory are long forgotten. As the importance of Bamburgh and it’s castle declined, a quieter life emerged. Where Kings once wandered, there is now a quaint village square, sandwiched between stone cottages. There’s a parish church surrounded by weathered headstones. There’s even a red telephone box and a line of old fashioned lampposts that’s you’d rarely see outside of a C.S. Lewis novel. The castle stands proudly over the village on its bed of impregnable rock; looking out over golden sand beaches.
Not added Bamburgh to your Northumberland Itinerary? Below I’ve compiled even more information about this corner of Northumberland including my comprehensive list of things to do in Bamburgh!
1 – Explore Bamburgh Castle
If you’re looking for things to do in Bamburgh, look no further than this incredible castle. It has an amazing history and is one of Northumberland’s most iconic buildings. There has been a castle on this site for over 1400 years and the exhibitions inside will take you through each chapter of this fascinating history. The castle was once home to the Kings and Queens of Northumbria, which was one of the seven kingdoms that existed within Great Britain. The castle would eventually be ransacked by vikings and re-fortified by the Normans, before being completely destroyed during the Wars of the Roses.
The castle gradually fell into centuries of ruin. This was until the 1800’s when the castle was loving restored to his former glory by William Armstrong. The castle remains a private home to the Armstrong family until this day. Today you can explore the splendour of the King’s Hall or discover tales of battle in the castle’s armoury; or why not have a drink inside the Victorian stables which have been transformed into a bar?
The castle is on a high outcrop so there are impressive views at every turn. Be sure to walk around the castle walls when you can to get the best of these views.There are often events inside the grounds which are the perfect way to find out more about the castle and it’s history. In the summer you can even catch an outdoor film screening.
If you’d like the full Bamburgh Castle experience, why not stay in one of the Castle’s self catering apartments? There is accommodation inside the Clock Tower and the Neville Tower. Both apartments offer amazing views not to mention the fantastic experience of spending the night in one of the UK’s most iconic castles. As far as things to do in Bamburgh go, this one strikes me as the ultimate Bamburgh experience. Don’t forget the castle is haunted though. Those pesky ghosts might interrupt your sleep!
2 – Discover Bamburgh Beach
Northumberland has some of the UK’s most spectacular stretches of coastline. The coast around Bamburgh is particularly beautiful with white, sandy beaches and epic sand dunes. When the tides and the weather are good, you can expect mile upon mile of golden sands and spectacular views across to Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands.
Pack a picnic and eat your sandwiches while watching the sea. Or why not go for a dip? The sands are flat here which means the water is usually shallow. Be sure to pack a towel and dry robe as the North Sea can get pretty chilly.
If you’ve got the energy, you can walk as far as Seahouses in the south. It’s between 3 and 4 miles and should take just over an hour. Your reward for this hike to see the stunning views of Bamburgh Castle through the sand dunes.
3 – See Grace Darling’s Museum and Tombstone
Grace Darling is Bamburgh’s most famous former resident. Born in the village in 1815, Grace spent most of her life living on the Farne Islands as daughter of the resident lighthouse keeper.
Early on the 7th September 1838, disaster struck during a violent storm. A passenger ship hit rock close the Longstone lighthouse with 62 passengers on board. Quickly working out that the lifeboats wouldn’t reach the wreckage in time, Grace and her father rowed into the storm in a small coble (a traditional Northumbrian rowing boat). Together they were able to rescue 9 passengers from the wreckage.
Being only 22 at the time, the story of Grace’s heroism quickly captured the public’s imagination and Grace became a national hero.
She died 4 years later and was laid to rest in cemetery of St Aidan’s churchyard in Bamburgh.
Grace Darling’s heroic tale has been brought to life at the Grace Darling museum in Bamburgh. The small but informative exhibit tells the story of her life as a lighthouse keeper’s daughter and details her heroic rescue efforts. The exhibit includes the coble that was used during the rescue.
The museum is a short walk from the village square to the north of the village (walking away from the castle). It’s a great little museum, and completely free so well worth a visit! You can also visit Grace Darling’s final resting place which is in the small churchyard opposite the museum.
4 – Visit St Aidan’s Church
St Aidan’s is a cosy parish church with an incredible view towards the North Sea. It sits inside a cluster of weathered graves which mark where the formers residents of Bamburgh have been laid to rest.
Most people visit the church to see Grace Darling’s tombstone, yet the church has a vibrant history of its own. The original wooden church was founded on this site by St Aidan of Lindisfarne. It’s claimed that he also died inside the church (there’s even a wooden beam which he died upon). Today it’s a cosy parish church as befits a small Northumberland village.
There is an effigy of Grave Darling inside as well as her memorial in the churchyard. The effigy is from the original memorial and was brought inside due to weathering.
Whilst browsing the tombstones in the graveyard of St Aidan’s church, be sure to head down into the Crypt. It’s a tiny underground vault containing the remains of 110 people who lived in Bamburgh over 1000 years ago. There’s a digital feature in the crypt which tells some of their stories and helps us understand more about the social history of Bamburgh.
5 – Taste Bamburgh’s Food
Take time to browse the small selection of shops, tearooms, pubs and restaurants around Bamburgh’s village square. This is Bamburgh at it’s most idyllic with fantastic views of Bamburgh Castle.
Start your visit with a stop for coffee at Wydenwell, grabbing a takeaway ice cream before you leave (they have some fantastic flavours here).
Stop by the Lord Crewe Hotel for dinner and sample the best of Northumbrian seafood through their luxurious menu. You can also grab some fantastic views of the castle while you are here.
Finish your day with a drink and a warm Northumbrian welcome from the Castle Inn, one of Bamburgh’s most popular watering holes.
6 – Get Sporty in Bamburgh
Bamburgh is a small village, but still has some options if you’re looking to get your body moving.
Bamburgh Cricket Club play directly beneath the castle on what could be the UK’s most picturesque cricket field. Head down here during cricket seasons and you might catch the local team in action. There are plenty of seas around the pitch for watching the game and admiring the castle.
Bamburgh Castle Gold Course is a short walk away from the castle. The course offers spectacular views of Bamburgh Castle, Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands.
The water at Bamburgh beach is fantastic for swimming. The water is also very shallow here as there’s a lot of sand. It’s a great spot for paddle boarding and kitesurfing – although you’ll need to bring your own equipment as there are no water sport schools in Bamburgh. Bring plenty of towels and a thermos for a hot drink – the waters in the North Sea can get pretty cold!
Thank you for reading my post of the Top Things To Do in Bamburgh.
I hope that reading this has inspired you to add Bamburgh to your Northumberland Itinerary. If you feel that I’ve missed something from my list of things to do in Bamburgh, please let me know by emailing NorthumberlandItinerary@gmail.com.
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