Sugar Sands

The beach at Sugar Sands, just outside Alnwick, is one of those stretches of Northumberland coast that rewards a proper wander. It's a wide, golden sweep of sand backed by low dunes - nothing dramatic, but genuinely lovely on a clear day. You get decent views along the coast, and the sand itself stays reasonably firm underfoot, which means it's good for walking and perfectly suitable for families who want to build castles without the kid complaints.

It's a free access spot, which is always welcome. Allow an hour or so if you're just having a look around, longer if you want to beach-comb or let the children loose. The nearest decent campsite is Northumberland Coast Camp, just 2.7 miles away - that's your best bet for a proper seaside holiday base in the area.

Honestly, it's not the kind of place you'll see in the tourism brochures, and that's rather the point. It fills a gap nicely if you're staying nearby and want to get to the beach without the fuss of Bamburgh or the crowds further north. The tide can come in quick, so check before you go - that's just basic common sense on this coast. Go on a decent day and it's well worth the detour from Alnwick. Go when it's grey and windy, and you might wonder why you bothered.