Bamburgh
Northumberland

With the brooding ramparts of one of the UK's most iconic castles to one side and the world famous Farne Islands on the other, the vast swathe of dune-fringed sands of Bamburgh beach makes for a dramatic visit.

Voted one of the North East's top surf spots, watch surfers vie to catch a break while soaring kite surfers perform daredevil leaps above the waves. The dramatic and challenging shoreline here which entices surfers today, was once feared by mariners. Treacherous, hidden offshore reefs claimed many a vessel and her crew, leading to 18th century Bamburgh Castle trustee Dr John Sharp to create a pioneering coastguard system to save lives at sea. The first ever lifeboat was launched here. The UK's original serving lifeboat house now stands as a cosy self-catering holiday cottage.