This is a spectacular village which would be famous if it were further South. As it is the Newcatle conurbation is the only one from which day trips make sense so on the whole its visitors are people staying in the North.
The houses are mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries but the layout of the village still adheres to a far older, probably Norman, plan. Its church is the only one in Northuberland which is predominantly Norman. This is toppped by a 14th century stone spire and there is a priest's room over the porch.
The town is built by the side of the river Coquet with a 14th century bridge on the North side, now used only by pedestrians. It is near to the mouth of the river so the castle was a defense from shore incursions and the village still clusters around it.
The catsle itself is wonderful, like a child's dream and children certainly love it and can be pretty safely allowed to play hide and seek. Most of what remains now, including the superb keep, is from the 14th and early 15th centuries but the castle goes back to the 12th century.
If you want a bit more there is a good clean sandy beach within a mile with an area of sand dunes on the way whose plant life has made it a Site of Special Scientific Interest.