Beadnell Bay Beach

The golden arc of Beadnell Bay catches you off guard - this stretch of Northumberland coast isn't dramatic or jagged, but it's genuinely lovely in a low-key sort of way. It's the kind of beach that works because it actually rewards a proper visit rather than a quick photo stop. Sand runs for a decent distance either side of the village, backed by grassy dunes and flanked by those distinctive rock formations that make this corner of the coast feel properly wild.

Walkers come here because the bay connects to the broader Northumberland coastal path - you can spend an hour or half a day moving between Beadnell and Seahouses depending on mood. Families find it useful too. The beach shelves gently, there's enough sand to keep kids occupied without them vanishing from sight, and the village itself has a few cafes and shops so you're not marooned if someone gets hungry.

Going at low tide is the move if you want to explore rock pools and catch sight of the old lime kilns tucked into the cliffs. Summer weekends get busy, but off-season it's just you and the gulls. The nearest caravan sites cluster round Beadnell village itself - the Camping and Caravanning Club Site is practically on your doorstep - with others spreading towards Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh if you want to base yourself slightly further afield.

Chathill is the nearest proper town if you need supplies, though Beadnell's got enough to get by. It's not a destination that demands a full day commitment, but as part of a longer Northumberland coastal walk or a beach-and-village holiday, it slots in perfectly.