Location & Local Area
The Dunes is ideally located on the edge of the medieval village of Warkworth, with all village amenities within a short stroll – including restaurants, pubs, shops, the riverbank, and the castle.
It’s also an easy walk to the expansive, golden sands of Warkworth Beach. The coastal path running from Warkworth Village to Alnmouth passes The Dunes, offering stunning views of Alnmouth Bay throughout the year.
Warkworth boasts a selection of pubs within a 10-minute walk, such as The Sun Hotel with its No. 6 Steakhouse Restaurant, The Masons Arms, The Hermitage Inn, and The Warkworth House Hotel.
To the south, a pleasant walk along the Coquet Estuary leads to the historic fishing port of Amble. Here, you can explore charming independent shops, visit the Harbour Market on Sundays, and enjoy a fantastic selection of seafood restaurants and bistros. Don’t miss the award-winning Spurelli Ice Cream Parlour, which serves artisan ice creams, tea, coffee, and snacks.
The seaside village of Alnmouth is just 3 miles north and offers a delightful range of places to eat, drink, and shop. Further north, 7 miles from Warkworth, lies the historic town of Alnwick. It features the world-class attractions of Alnwick Garden and Treehouse, and a perfectly preserved castle, still home to Lord and Lady Percy. Alnwick Castle is famously recognisable as ‘Hogwarts School’ in the Harry Potter films.
Find The Dunes
To find out the distance from your own home to The Dunes, how long it will take to drive there and other options for alternative transport, click here: The Dunes on Google Maps and enter your home postcode in the box provided. The postcode of the property is NE65 0XS.
This map shows how to arrive at The Dunes when you drive North out of Warkworth village.
Click on the link above to use what3words to view the precise location of this property. what3words is an amazing mapping system where every part of Earth is mapped out in 3-metre squares, each of which has a unique address using 3 words.
Hilary & Patrick’s Recommendations
To eat
Bertram’s, Warkworth
If you are wanting to have a cosy coffee shop vibe then Bertram’s in Warkworth is your place to go. A 5-minute stroll from The Dunes and you can tuck into a beautiful all day menu including breakfast, lunch or a selection of beautiful cakes.
The Masons, Warkworth
The Masons is excellent for some pub grub, and they have an outdoor garden which serves pizza, burgers and more. We recommend coming here for Sunday lunch. One thing to note is you can’t pre-book tables here, they only do walk-ins.
The Old Boat House, Amble
The Boat House in amble is perfect for an evening meal. Situated on Amble Harbour, The Old Boat House Amble uses the freshest catches and finest local produce to create lovingly presented dishes and are famous for their award-winning seafood.
The Alnwick Tree house at Alnwick Gardens
If you fancy something a bit more special for a birthday or anniversary, then the Alnwick tree house is a must visit (please ensure you ring up to book as this can often get very busy). Nestled in the treetops, experience a cosy lunch or dinner by a roaring log fire surrounded by twinkling lights. With hand-crafted furniture, excellent service and notoriously good food, there is no better place to visit. You can book online here.
The Lord Crewe, Bamburgh
This restaurant at Bamburgh is perfect for fine dining however they also do breakfast, lunch and evening meals. The AA has accredited The Lord Crewe at Bamburgh ‘One Rosette’ for culinary excellence and ‘standing out in the local area’. The expert team of chefs specialise in luxurious seafood dishes, with a strong focus on high-quality and local produce. With dishes such as Lindisfarne Oysters, Lobster Thermidor and 28 Day Aged Ribeye. They also have ample choice for meat eaters and vegetarians.
The Jolly Fisherman, Craster
The Jolly Fisherman is a world-famous seafood restaurant situated in the picturesque village of Craster, Northumberland. Combining stunning sea views with delicious home cooking and beautifully kept ales. This is a tastefully refurbished pub with tradition and character at its heart.
Spurreli’s Boutique Ice-cream, Amble
Amble has lots of cafés near the harbour including award winning ice cream parlour located on coquet street in amble Spurreli’s boutique ice cream.
Best days out
Warkworth Castle – in the village of Warkworth
Set within the heart of the village, this hill-top fortress and hermitage is a good way to spend a few hours looking at the culture of the village. The castle is great for kids to run around with little rooms all over the place, lots of grass and battlements. There are tables for a picnic, toilets, a free carpark and dogs are allowed around the grounds on a lead. Open Saturday and Sunday 10am till 4pm. How much for a family ticket.
Northumberland Castles
As well as Warkworth Castle, Northumberland is home to over 70 castles for you to explore. The most famous castles are:
- Alnwick Castle
- Aydon Castle
- Bamburgh castle
- Belsay Castle
- Berwick Castle
- Chillingham Castle
- Dunstanburgh Castle
- Etal Castle
- Lindisfarne Castle
- Norham Castle
- Prudhoe Castle
Alnwick Gardens – 20-minute drive
From the tranquility of the Cherry Orchard, the excitement of the Grand Cascade and the mysteries of the Bamboo Labyrinth, to the Serpent Garden’s spell-binding water sculptures, the intrigue of the Poison Garden and one of the world’s largest tree houses – there is plenty to surprise and delight. Please enjoy our family pass to use at your leisure.
Lilidorei at The Alnwick garden’s is the world’s largest play structure where children and adults can explore the Clan Houses, joining in with activities and taking part in storytelling.
Alnwick Castle is open daily 31st March to the 26th October 2024. Castle Grounds – 10:00am – 5:30pm (last admission at 3:45pm).
Holy Island of Lindisfarne – 50-minute drive
A tidal island just off the Northeast coast from dolphin spotting to hiking across the island and exploring the priory you’ll never get bored of finding something to do. Check the tide times for this.
Alnmouth and Beach – 10-minute drive
With its colourful houses, wildlife aplenty, and tranquil beach, Alnmouth sits within one of Northumberland’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It has the most amazing beach and some lovely eateries.
Morpeth, Ancient Market Town – 25-minute drive
The town itself boasts a rich history going back to medieval times. Two places worth exploring during your stay are the historic gardens at Carlisle Park and William Turner gardens and the Bagpipe Museum, which is housed in a 13th century chantry. There are many beautiful restaurants to choose from here including cuisine from all around the world including Indian, Chinese, Thai, Lebanese, Greek, Turkish, Italian, Spanish, American and lots more. East coast main line for the train to get to Edinburgh in just over an hour or Durham in 35 minutes.
Morwick Dairy – 6-minute drive
Morwick dairy is currently the last remaining dairy farm on the Duke of Northumberland Estate. This is a family run farm where you can enjoy…
Barter Books, Alnwick – 15-minute drive
One of the largest secondhand bookshops in Britain and the home of the famous Keep Calm and Carry On poster. Barter Books has become one of the largest tourist attractions in the Northeast of England. Good for food too, tea, cake and lunches.
Puffin Cruises at Sea Houses – 35-minute drive
This Farne Islands tour is approximately 2 hours long and perfect for everyone to view thousands of Atlantic puffins, common guillemots, razorbills, eider ducks, Arctic, common, and sandwich terns plus kittiwakes and other species of gulls. It’s also a chance to view the magnificent scenery of the islands and Northumberland’s iconic coastline and learn of Grace Darling’s life-saving heroics.
Cragside – 35-minute drive
A great way to spend a full day walking round the grounds or the gardens. This was famous to the first lightbulb inside a house.
Willowburn Sports & Leisure Centre – 15- minute drive
Located in Alnwick, active Northumberland has all your fun and fitness needs in one place.
Howick Hall Gardens – 25-minute drive
Howick Hall Gardens & Arboretum, the ancestral seat of the Earls Grey since 1319. Discover the history of the 2nd Earl, after whom the famous tea is named, wander through the beautiful gardens created by the 5th Earl Grey and his family or for the more energetic explore the arboretum a united nations of shrubs and trees covering over 65 acres. Take a rest from exploring in the Earl Grey Tea House for a bite to eat and a cup of Earl Grey Tea.
Ad Gefrin – 40-minute drive
World class Northumberland Anglo-Saxon Museum and English whisky distillery. Newly opened in March 2023, we celebrate and showcase the unique heritage, ancient hospitality, and contemporary crafts, arts and produce of Northumberland and have re-awakened the Northumbrian tradition for Whisky distilling that has slept for over 200 years.
Top walks
The house is situated on the local coastal route which is enjoyed by hundreds of hikers, runners and cyclists all year round.
- To the beach at Warkworth
- To Alnmouth and back
- To Amble and back
- Into Warkworth, along the river to the hermitage