Behold the Beauty of Bamburgh

The resplendent Alnwick Garden is your first stop, and it's a wonderful way to begin the day, especially if the sun is shining.
Take a stroll around the cherry orchard, bamboo labyrinth, and serpent garden, and take dozens of selfies in front of the magnificent water cascade that is powered by 120 jets.
Open 10am until 5pm every day, entry prices and parking information are available at the Alnwick Gardens website here.

No visit to Alnwick is complete without popping into the region's most-loved bookstore. Brimming with second-hand page-turners, visitors are encouraged to bring along their own books and - as the name suggests - barter them for credit to buy new ones.
The building was once the town's Victorian train station, and as a reminder, a small model railway trundles above your head. There's also a cafe should you wish to enjoy your new books with a cup of tea, while there is plenty of parking at the front and rear of the shop.

For lunch, head to the coast where the village of Craster awaits, along with its most famous dish. Craster kippers have long been renowned as the country's tastiest, smoked locally in smokehouses dating back a century.
They're certainly on the menu at The Jolly Fisherman, and they're joined by other local hits including the North Sea crab sandwich, and crab soup.
If you'd rather something from the field rather than the sea, the Ploughman's Bait - a selection of local cheese, ham, sausage rolls, and pork pies - won't disappoint.

After lunch, take the short journey north to Seahouses which - if you've just enjoyed some delicious seafood at The Jolly Fisherman - is very likely to be where your lunch came from.
This small fishing village is renowned as the gateway to the Farne Islands, but is a pleasant visit in its own right, with its coastal beauty spots, scenic walks, and native wildlife including puffins.
Parking is available at the harbour, so leave your car and spend an hour exploring the village on foot, walking along its pristine beaches that lie both north and south of the harbour.
Then it's time to return to your car and make the short drive to one of Northumberland's most famous sights, which you'll have already spotted from your vantage point in Seahouses.

This imposing Anglo-Saxon fortress stands at over 150 feet above the Northumberland coastline, as it has done for over 1,400 years.
From here you'll enjoy seemingly endless views of the coast, including the Farne Islands, and Holy Island, which is on the itinerary for tomorrow.
Open all year round, you'll have until 5pm to explore the castle and its grounds before it closes its doors for the evening. For seasonal opening times and ticket prices, head to the official website.

As impressive as the views from atop of the castle are, they're arguably bettered by the sight of the castle itself from Bamburgh Beach.
Once the castle has closed, park up at the beach car park and spend an hour taking a stroll along the sand to immerse yourself in the jaw-dropping scenery.

Local chef Richard Sim heads up this bistro-style restaurant serving fresh ingredients sourced from the area. The food here is served to such a standard that The Potted Lobster has been included in several editions of the Michelin Guide.
The A la Carte menu is dominated by seafood options including crab salad and locally caught lobster, while other local picks include Northumbrian Beef and twice-cooked shoulder of lamb.
The restaurant also offers separate gluten-free, dairy-free, and children's menus. You can book a table via their website.

You've had a busy day so check in to your hotel and get a good night's rest ahead of your action-packed day two.
The Victoria Hotel is perfectly located in the heart of Bamburgh, only an eight-minute walk from the beach and overlooking the village green.
It also promises views of Holy Island, where you'll be headed tomorrow.