Post Office House Bed and Breakfast Belford Northumberland

Belford is a picturesque, historic coaching town and is a perfect base to explore North Northumberland, located just minutes off the A1. There are a range of facilities in Belford including a newsagents, Co-op with post office, Community Shop, Farm Shop, two pubs, a hotel and hairdressers.  There is also a doctor’s surgery and a chemist’s.  Belford also has a museum, purely dedicated to Belford and the surrounding area’s history.  It is a fascinating little place and worth a visit.  Entrance is free.

Belford Arts Festival is held in July, this is a hugely popular event with exhibitions from talented local artists, photographers and craftspeople. Belford Arts Festival 

Whether by way of walking, cycling, motorcycling, playing golf or to simply relax, soaking up the stunning landscapes ranging from peaceful sandy beaches and magnificent castles and through wild moorland to the beautiful Cheviot Hills – there is something for everyone in our beautiful county.

For those planning exploration on foot, St Cuthbert’s and St Oswald’s Way routes are close by and we are on the Northumberland Coastal Path.   St Cuthbert’s Cave is under the care of the National Trust and a short drive from Belford.  Northumberland Coast is home to many different bird and wildlife species and is a mecca for bird and wildlife enthusiasts, where many rare and unique species are seen around this coastline.

Please watch `Throughout the Seasons’ video clip, commissioned by the North Northumberland Tourism Association which will give you an insight into the many beautiful places to visit

North Northumberland is a recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Our beautiful county is steeped in cultural heritage; together with stunning coastlines, unspoilt beaches and magnificent castles such Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Lindisfarne.  The magical serenity of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and Cheviot Hills are also a short drive away from us.

North Northumberland has much to offer the nautical enthusiast from sailing, surfing and windsurfing to exploring the area’s rich maritime past and the fishing industry’s important contribution to the region.  We are also Tourism Ambassador’s for England’s Coast which is part of the National Coastal Tourism Academy, so please do ask us if you have any questions regarding the area.

A number of locations in the area have been used for filming including; Alnwick Castle (Harry Potter’s Hogwarts & School of Wizardary), Robin Hood `Prince of Thieves’ and Downton Abbey.  ITV’s detective series `Vera’ is filmed throughout Northumberland and Newcastle, including various iconic landmarks such as Lindisfarne, Longstone Island and Newcastle’s Tyne Bridge.

Northumberland’s increasing popularity has also been heightened by the ITV television series; Robson Green’s Tales of Northumberland/Further Tales of Northumberland.

`Scran’ is Northern English slang for food.  The expression has for centuries (and remains) widely used by the seafaring fraternity including the Merchant and Royal Navy. We have an excellent and diverse range of local ‘scran’ establishments to appeal to all tastes, from the humble fish supper to fine dining.  You will find delicious, locally caught fish and seafood served in many of our pubs and restaurants in the area. We have listed a selection below:

Belford

Black Swan, Belford (Thurs to Sun, closed for food Tues and Wed)
Blue Bell Hotel (Every night)
Sunnyhills Farm Shop (Evening meals Thurs to Sun, July to Sept only)
The Salmon Inn (Tues to Sat)

Country Inns/Gastro Pubs

Black Bull, Etal (the only thatched pub in Northumberland)
Black Bull, Lowick
Box. Restaurant (very quirky, unusual little pizza restaurant), Swinhoe, near Beadnell
Pack Horse, Ellingham
Percy Arms, Chatton
Ship Inn, Low Newton (also a micro-brewery here)
Ship Inn, Holy Island (also home to Holy Island gin where it is distilled)
White Swan, Warenford

Bistros:

Apple Core, Lucker (Mediterranean)
Baileys at the Victorian Hotel, Bamburgh
Barn at Beal (evening meals Thursday – Saturday)
Lord Crewe Arms, Bamburgh
Milan, Wooler (Italian)
St Aidan Bistro, Seahouses

Restaurants and Fine Dining:

Audela’s, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Craster Seafood Restaurant, Craster
George Runcimen Restaurant at Doxford Hall
Potted Lobster, Bamburgh (seafood)
The Treehouse, Alnwick
Waren House, Budle Bay

Proper Fish and Chips!:

Lewis’s, Seahouses
Pinnacles, Seahouses
The John Dory Fish and Chip Shop, Belford (take-away only)

Delicious Lunches and Afternoon Teas:

Barter Books, Alnwick
Bertrams, Warkworth
Carnaby’s, Brownieside
Copper Kettle Tea Rooms, Bamburgh
Pilgrims Coffee House, Holy Island
Rocking Horse Cafe and Gallery, Rock, near Alnwick
Running Fox; Felton, Longframlington and Shilbottle
Ship Inn, Newton-by-the-Sea (fantastic crab sandwiches!)
Stable Yard, Craster
Sunnyhills, Belford
Cafe Bus, Chainbridge Honey Farm, near Berwick-upon-Tweed (closed Oct – Mar)
Well House Coffee Shop, Belford

Booking is recommended for evening meal reservations in the High Season (April to October). If you wish to leave the car behind, Croft Taxis, our local taxi firm, offers a prompt and reliable service. Gordon can be contacted on 07803 496278. Taxi services are very limited in our rural area and are difficult to hail on the night, so advance booking is essential.

Bamburgh Ossuary/Bones:  This fascinating little place opened in 2019 and can be found in the Crypt of St. Aidan’s Church in Bamburgh.  It is the last resting place of people who lived in Bamburgh 1,400 years ago.  The church itself is also worth a look around and is also where the famous Victorian heroine, Grace Darling is buried.

Barter Books, Alnwick:  Railway buffs and bookworms (or anyone for that matter) will love it! It is the largest second hand bookshop in Britain and located within Alnwick Station, a splendid Grade II Listed Victorian building. Barter Books is also home of the original `Keep Calm and Carry On’ poster.  One of our favourite places to go!

Berwick-upon-Tweed:  The most northerly town in England and has much to offer the visitor, from military and shipbuilding history through to walking the town’s Elizabethan Walls and the L.S.Lowry Trail.  Take a look at the promotional video below, commissioned by Berwick Town Council, which will give you an insight as to what to expect in Berwick.  We are also Tourism Ambassadors for Berwick-upon-Tweed, so if you have any questions, please ask us.

Fenwick Gallery, Warkworth:  Nicole Fenwick and her mother, Dorien Fenwick run this gorgeous gallery with a range of beautiful artwork, homemade jewellery and ceramics, all made by local artists and craftspeople.  Nicole is renowned for her portraits of animals and birds found in North Northumberland, from red squirrels to puffins.

Mick Oxley Gallery, Craster: This lovely little gallery is based in the fishing village of Craster, also home to the world famous Craster Kipper.  Mick’s work is beautifully atmospheric and his oil-based seascape portraits capture the surrounding coastline, landscape and beaches perfectly.

Chainbridge Honey Farm, near Berwick-upon-Tweed: All honey and beeswax products are made from the farm’s very own busy bees! There is an information centre with the story of the honey farm and how the honey and other products are made. We can recommend the superb afternoon tea on the quirky Cafe Bus – simply glorious!

Ford and Etal Estates:  Home to Lady Waterford Hall, Etal Castle, Heatherslaw Mill; there are some quirky and fascinating shops for those who are fans of anything vintage. Visit The Old Dairy and The Old Forge which house a range of architectural antiques, antiquarian books and bric-a-brac.  There is also the Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre which is a wonderful working farm and the Cheviot micro-brewery with some lovely real ales. The characteristic Black Bull Inn with its’ thatched roof is is the only thatched pub in Northumberland, run by Cheviot Brewery and serves an array of excellent dishes.

Matt Robson Artwork:  This remarkable 16 year old from Alnwick has recently opened his own gallery here and his work is simply amazing.  Matt’s beautiful drawings and paintings range from portraits of wildlife, puffins, badgers, pheasants and much more!  Goodies to take back home with you also include eco-bags, mugs and greetings cards. He also takes commissions and competitively priced too.

The Old Bath House: This former bath house for Broomhill Colliery miners is now home to an array of studio spaces and gallery workshops for local artists and craftspeople.  It is located south of Amble and hold several open studio days during the year.  There are some wonderful works to be bought or to just browse, many of the artists will also undertake commission work.  This fascinating place is well worth a visit.

Alnwick Castle: is the second largest inhabited castle in England and has been home of the Percy Family for 700 years. The castle has been remodelled over the centuries, the State Rooms are splendid and a must-see, along with the beautiful Alnwick Gardens, with it’s magnificent water cascade; the construction of which was personally overseen by the Duchess of Northumberland.  Alnwick Castle has been used in various films, famously for Harry Potter’s Hogwarts, Downton Abbey and more recently in Transformers: The Last Knight.

Bamburgh Castle: This beautiful, majestic castle has the real `wow’ factor travelling in from the west and dropping down into the village of Bamburgh.  It is not to be missed whilst visiting Northumberland!  It is one of the largest inhabited castles in the country and was owned by the first Lord Armstrong, the famous Victorian engineer. Lord Armstrong’s works include gun making and by 1882, his company has expanded into shipbuilding, building battleships for the Royal Navy together with all gun-power on board his ships.  His other Northumbrian home was Cragside House, near Rothbury.

Chillingham Castle and Chillingham Wild Cattle: After being derelict for many decades, this eccentric`ghostly’ castle was brought back to life by Sir Humphry Wakefield Bt. in the early 1980’s. With an array of fine rooms containing paintings and replica furniture made  by Sir Humphry’s craftsmen in America, together with the Wild Chillingham Cattle, makes Chillingham a fascinating and unique day out.  Enter the dungeons if you dare! The Formal Gardens, Lakes and Woodlands are open to the public during the High Season.

Cragside, Rothbury: Another icon of Northumberland is the stunning country residence of  Victorian pioneer, Lord Armstrong.  Cragside was the first house in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity.  Lord Armstrong designed and built all the hydro-electric power at Cragside and the house was totally `self-sufficient’ for electric. The grounds are simply beautiful and a must-see visit is the restored Orangery in the grounds. Be prepared to spend all day here!

Dunstanburgh: The castle was erected in 1313 by Earl Thomas of Lancaster and the haunting, dramatic ruins are one of North Northumberland’s most iconic landmarks.  The mile long walk from the delightful fishing village of Craster, famous for its’ kippers, is one of the most beautiful along this coastline and it is one of our favourites.

Lindisfarne and Holy Island: A stay in Northumberland is not complete without visiting the enchanting, unique Holy Island, which is steeped in history and famous for its Christianity and medieval heritage. Lindisfarne Castle, is majestically perched on top of an outcrop.  The interior was remodelled by Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll in the early 20th Century.  The Gertrude Jekyll Walled Garden is one of the most endearing attractions on the Island.  Holy Island and Lindisfarne Castle are only accessible by causeway which can be crossed at LOW TIDE (See times here)

Warkworth: Warkworth Castle was another Percy family seat and it’s great Tower or cross-shaped keep was built over 600 years ago by the first Earl of Northumberland.  Experience first hand the Percy’s lavish lifestyle by visiting the Duke’s Rooms in the Keep which is almost complete. It is one of Northumberland’s most popular attractions along with the Hermitage and Warkworth village is well worth a visit.  Here you will find unique independent shops, tea rooms and pubs.

Bamburgh and Farne Islands: A visit to Northumberland is not complete without visiting the stunning, beautiful beach in Bamburgh, the birthplace of Grace Darling.  It is also a photographer’s heaven! Step aboard on one of George Shiel’s boat trips to the Farne Islands.  MV Golden Gate Boat Trips are the only licensed boat to land on Longstone Island. The island is also home to Longstone Lighthouse where Grace Darling lived with her family. From here, Grace witnessed the fate of the S.S. Forfarshire and carried out her famous rescue with her father.  Not forgetting, of course, the famous, characteristic Puffins and Grey Seals.  Puffins fly to our shores around March and leave for warmer climates during July.

Visit the RNLI Grace Darling Museum which is located in Bamburgh and is dedicated to Grace and her family.

Coquet Island: Grace Darling’s brother William was lighthouse keeper here and the island is home to Puffins also and other rare bird species such as the Roseate Tern.  Boat trips sail from Amble on Dave Grey’s Boat Trips, the island is out of bounds to visitors but the wonderful array of sea birds can be seen.

Or how about a cruise along the Tweed with Berwick Boat Trips?  Trips include a cruise along the Tweed which is famous for its salmon fishing or go out to sea where you may be lucky to see dolphins. Berwick has a fascinating seafaring and military history.  It was the third most important port in England with the main exports being Salmon, Wool and Barley.  The Tweed remains one of the most prestigious fishing rivers in the country. Shipbuilding was still present in Berwick right up until 1979 and reminders of this industry are very much in evidence on the Quayside.

There is also much maritime history in our region to explore, from fishing to shipbuilding and limekilns to smokehouses. Add Beadnell, Craster, Seahouses and Amble to your list of nautical places to visit.  We have some of the most beautiful beaches and coastline in the country, being Bamburgh, Embleton, Beadnell, Goswick and Ross Sands, Dunstanburgh and Alnmouth (just to name a few!)

What better way to sample the delights of Northumberland than exploring on foot. There are many excellent walking routes including the Northumberland Coastal Path, St Oswald’s and St Cuthberts Way.

Budle Bay, Bamburgh, Beadnell, Low Newton and Embleton Bay, passing Dunstanburgh Castle, is reasonably flat terrain and the coastline along this route simply stunning in all seasons. The wonderful Cheviot Hills and surrounding area are well worth visiting; whether you are a beginner or an experienced fell walker, there is something for all abilities. If you don’t feel confident walking independently, we can recommend `Footsteps’, an excellent local tour guide based in Belford.

We also have a very good bus service in North Northumberland, with regular daily buses.  Bus stops north and southbound are 15 metres away from Post Office House. Please go to the `About Us’ tab for more information and timetables.

If you are planning an independent walking holiday and wish to use a luggage transfer company, contact Carrylite on 07976 356459.  Important: If using a luggage company, then it is essential that we are contacted in advance, so that we are on the premises to take your luggage.

Northumberland has many fantastic cycling routes, from the very easy to the very difficult!  From flat coastal trails to the hilly terrains of the Cheviots, there are routes to suit all levels.  It is a perfect way to explore the area and also a good excuse to leave the car behind! We have a number of cycling maps which guests are welcome to borrow whilst staying with us.  We welcome cyclists and have secure storage areas to store bikes. Take a look at routes here

Is a game of golf on the cards? Don’t forget your clubs! We have some superb golfing courses in Northumberland, many with beautiful backdrops and located right on our stunning coastline.

Tops among them is Goswick Golf Links, rated as the best course in Northumberland and 50^th among more than 1,900 courses in all of England. Whether you’re a golfing pro or a beginner, you’ll be able to lose yourself amongst tumbling fairways, rippled greens, natural bunkers, sweeping shorelines and panoramic views. Discover golf as it was meant to be played, on true links land in all its glory.

This gem is located only 10 miles north of us on the A1. Details, green fees and general information

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