Seahouses

Seabirds wheel overhead as fishing boats bob in the harbour, their masts creating a forest of lines against Northumberland's dramatic coast. This working fishing village hasn't lost its soul to tourism, though the smell of fresh crab and lobster draws plenty of visitors to its bustling quayside.

Billy Shiel's Boat Trips run regularly from the harbour to the Farne Islands, where thousands of puffins nest between April and July. Proper wildlife spectacle. The islands also house Inner Farne Lighthouse and the ancient St Cuthbert's Chapel, where the saint himself once lived as a hermit. Back on the mainland, Prior Castell's Tower stands as a reminder of the area's monastic past.

Beaches stretch for miles in both directions. North lies Holy Island with its famous castle, while south you'll find the golden sands of Beadnell Bay. The coastal path offers cracking views, though it's a bit of a trek in places - well worth the effort when you spot grey seals hauled out on the rocks.

Getting here means a drive through some of England's most unspoilt countryside. The A1 gets you to Alnwick, then it's a lovely 20-minute run through farmland to the coast. No railway station, but the 501 bus connects to Berwick-upon-Tweed if you're travelling by train.

Camping nearby gives you the best of both worlds - easy access to Seahouses' excellent fish and chips, plus you're perfectly placed for exploring Bamburgh Castle, just three miles up the coast. Several sites dot the area, from clifftop pitches to working farms that let you wake up to proper countryside quiet.