While summer crowds flock to the coast, the colder months provide a chance to experience the seaside towns in a more peaceful setting. The North East of England offers a coastal gem that provides an authentic and invigorating winter escape, away from the well-trodden tourist paths. While the magnificent Bamburgh Castle, a short drive away, often steals the spotlight for its picturesque Christmas-themed events, its more understated neighbour, Seahouses, has been highlighted by travel experts.
Around 20km north of Alnwick in Northumberland, Seahouses was one of the top trending staycation destinations of 2024 by Airbnb. This working fishing village, with its quirky charm and rugged beauty, is a testament to the fact that some of the best UK staycations are not the most famous, but rather the ones that offer a unique, local experience. Seahouses continues to house an active smokehouse to this day.
Swallow Fish has been smoking their catch on the premises since 1843. The heritage site is even believed to be where the contemporary kipper was born, with the business maintaining the original smoking techniques.
You can still buy traditionally smoked fish here, or head to the harbour where you might hear a mysterious “cooing” sound—this is the distinctive call of the Eider duck, a common fixture of the harbour and the UK’s heaviest duck.
Seahouses serves as a perfect launching point for holidaymakers keen to tackle a ramble through the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The coastal path runs right through Seahouses. You can walk north to Bamburgh Castle (about a three-mile, relatively flat walk) or south to Beadnell.
Winter is a fantastic time for birdwatching, as migratory species from the Arctic Circle flock to the coast.
Boat trips to the Farne Islands are available year-round, weather permitting, and a visit in autumn or winter can reward you with sightings of grey seal pups.
Even without taking any organised excursions, Seahouses has plenty of beauty spots where you can view the low sunrises and sunsets, which paint the sky in breathtaking colours.
Airbnb users have branded the “lovely town” and “unappreciated spot in northeast England”. One guest wrote: “This is a fabulous place for a hike, to take photos or just hang out.”
Seahouses boasts a rich history, and no visit would be complete without hearing the tale of its most heroic former resident, Grace Darling. This brave woman set off from the town in her rowing boat to rescue victims from the Forfarshire fishing boat wreck.
The town continues to honour its famous heroine, with an RNLI lifeboat in Seahouses proudly bearing her name.
There’s no better way to warm up than in a traditional Northumberland pub with a real fire. The village has a great selection, including the Olde Ship Inn, which is known for its cosy, nautical-themed rooms.
And, of course, a trip to Seahouses is not complete without enjoying some classic fish and chips with a view of the harbour. Neptune Fish Restaurant is the best-rated chippy in the area, with 4.4 out of five stars on Google Reviews, and is situated very close to the harbour.
If you’re more inclined towards a city break, Norwich has plenty to offer, from cosy pubs and Christmas events to riverside walks.