Castle to Coast

 During our trip back to the north east, we managed to grab a couple of hours in Northumberland, driving along the Coastal Route which stretches the length of the Northumbrian coastline.  It would have been nice to have travelled up to Seahouses and Bamburgh Castle but unfortunately time was against us so we had to stay relatively local.  Still, you don't need to travel a great distance to find some nice scenery.

The village of Warkworth is dominated by the castle which dates back to 1157.  It is a ruin, but a relatively complete and interesting one.  Northumberland has more castles than any other county in England.  If you go to school in Northumberland I will guarantee you there will a school trip to a castle.  It's the law.

 The village itself is pretty, with most of the houses made of stone.  Traffic is busier than you would expect, mainly due to the Coastal Route running straight through the village.

Clouds over Warkworth Village

Just a short drive from Warkworth is the coastal village of Alnmouth.  If you have ever driven up the A1 in Northumberland you will have seen it, built into a hillside.  Strangely, for growing up in Northumberland this was the first time that I had actually visited.

The beach is impressive, but then it is Northumberland.

Coquet Island