Zuki’s Northumberland Recommendations

Hi again Dog Pals and your Humans,

Now we can all travel and have holidays, I thought I would let you know some of the great places I have stayed at with Hum and can recommend to you and your humans. Today we are looking at Northumberland!

Victoria Hotel Bamburgh

When Hum & I visited Northumberland, our first stop was Bamburgh and the Victoria Hotel @VicBamburgh. Bamburgh is a real popular place in Northumberland. There is a beach with a BIG Castle and you can see stuff about Grace Darling and get to Lindisfarne easily which human folk like to do. You can’t have a Castle View room at the Victoria if you have a dog with you which Hum was a bit upset about but us dogs don’t need views as much as humans seem to so I was just fine with our room. There is nothing specifically provided for us dog-folk as at some places – no treats, towels, bowls or particularly enthusiastic welcome. However, there is lots of seating in the bar for people with dogs where you can have dinner and indeed your breakfast. The food at the Victoria is exceptionally good by the way.

The Bamburgh Castle Inn, Seahouses

Next stop on our Northumberland visit was The Bamburgh Castle Inn @BamCastleInn in the town of Seahouses just down the coast from Bamburgh. The room itself was quite simple in furnishing s and décor but really clean and with French Windows opening onto the little garden shared with 2 other rooms. There is nothing provided in the room for dogs but having a room opening onto your own garden is great for us four-legs! The room was nice but not luxurious;  however that garden made up for everything! Well that and the staff. The staff at The Bamburgh Castle Inn are EXTREMELY friendly to us four-legs. Not just me ‘cos I is a celebrity but ALL the dogs that come into the Bar area. Keiron and Nicky in particular were lovely with Keiron making sure I was happy and settled in the room and Nicky looking after me when Hum went to the bar to order our dinner. There were lots of people with their dog friends in the bar and many had travelled a long way to visit The Bamburgh Castle Inn and were people who returned again and again. That is high praise indeed! The Bamburgh Castle Inn overlooks the harbour where your humans can book you onto the dog friendly Golden Gate Boat Trip to see seals and visit the Grace Darling Lighthouse! A great day out for all to enjoy!!

Warkworth House Hotel

We got a GREAT welcome from Joanne when we arrived at Warkworth House Hotel @WarkworthHHotel.  Not only did she make a huge fuss of me BUT she asked if I wanted to join Hum for dinner and would we like her to book us a table in the bar. Also asked about breakfast and where we would like to sit. Now that IS thoughtful!! Joanne took us up to our room and OMG dog folks it is ‘MY’ room!!!!! My blankie, toy and even Hum’s suitcase TOTALLY match the pink and turquoise décor!!! I LOVE this room – well 2 rooms really – a bedroom and a sitting room for us to enjoy. Well posh! AND if I sit on my blankie on the bed, I can see out the window and watch the world go by. Brilliant – just brilliant! There is nothing provided in the room for us doggies, however Hum did good with lots of toiletries and a fluffy robe. The bar itself was welcoming and happy and had lots of folks with dogs and regulars who seemed very loyal to Warkworth House – it has an excellent reputation! Liam also brought me treats from behind the bar so happy days indeed! There is lots to do in Warkworth – a castle run by English Heritage who told Hum dogs are welcome on all their sites; a riverside walk; a beach to play on and lots of lovely little shops for Hum to explore. Most of the shops, pubs and cafes are dog friendly so this really is a great place to stay.

There are other great places to visit in Northumberland such as Alnmouth which has been described as picture postcard perfect with with its colourful cottages. There is a lovely variety of restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, gift shops and a golf course for the humanfolk to enjoy. There is even a haunted hotel apparently what was featured on TV! We didn’t go there but headed straight for the beach. The main attraction of Alnmouth is the beach; right on the doorstep of the village which attracts people from all over the Country!  It really is a super beach for us four-legs to enjoy!

You may also want to visit Amble which is really rather interesting. We found these wonderful little pod shops and 2 of them had stuff for dogs! Mick ran The Dog Pod, Canine Café!!!! How cool is that dog pals!!!! A café for US!!!! He did sell crepes for the humans but then had a fab dog menu of doggy cupcakes and biscuits and yummy stuff! I checked out the cupcakes but Mick recommended some biscuits which I must say were excellent! However the beach at Amble does have some restrictions re: dogs in the summer.

Druridge Bay Country Park however, comprises of three miles of beautiful beach and sand dunes, plus a large freshwater lake surrounded by woods and meadows.

So pack up your bags my friends and enjoy your holibobs!

Zuki xx