Home of the Craster kipper...

Kippers from Craster in the smokehouse

Craster is famed as being the home of the Kipper, a smoked fish delicacy exported to food lovers across the country, and reputedly popular with the British Royal Family, too.
But there’s more to this cheery village than its famous food delicacy, still prepared in the village the traditional way, in oak smoked barrels.

Go bird spotting in the Arnold Memorial Nature Reserve, owned by the Northumberland Wildlife Trust. This green haven attracts a variety of birdlife where rarities including wryneck, icterine and red-breasted flycatchers have been recorded. Browse seaside inspired artwork and crafts at The Mick Oxley Gallery, or just sit and watch boating life go by. In stormy times, fishermen still haul their boats high out of the sea’s reach.

Dunstanburgh Castle is a short walk along the coast

Work up an appetite and walk or cycle along the shore-skimming path to the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, whose skeletal outline juts skyward from the sea. Incredible rock formations loom like prehistoric creatures from the coastline.  A coastal rock walk from nearby Howick to Cullernose Point takes in the landscape’s sheer geo-diversity.

A little further south is the hidden cove of Rumbling Kern, once the haunt of whisky smugglers bootlegging their contraband up and down the coastline; today this award-winning, secretive beach is worthy of a visit.