Cities, Castles, Beaches - Oh My! A Journey From Leeds to Bamburgh

A two-hour drive will take you to the city centre of Newcastle. You can park at Dean Street Car Park for £1.70 an hour and as it's right in the centre of Newcastle, you'll be within walking distance to many of the top attractions.
Return to your car once you've explored Newcastle for a couple of hours.

The Tyne Bridge is one of Newcastle's most defining sights and while it might not be quite as grand as London's Tower Bridge, for example, it's still a cool sight to see and best of all, it's completely free!
You can walk over the bridge itself or just admire it from the riverside below.

A walk along Newcastle's Quayside is a must-do on a summer's day in the city. Lined with many bars and restaurants, this gorgeous walk along the River Tyne is yet another one of the best free experiences in Newcastle.
You can start your Quayside walk from near the Tyne Bridge and head up towards Newcastle's other iconic bridge, the Gateshead Millenium Bridge, which is another awesome photo opportunity in the city.

Once you've worked up an appetite with all the walking, hop back in your car and drive to Pizzeria Francesca in Jesmond, just 15 minutes from the centre of Newcastle.
Here you can choose from some of the best pizza and pasta dishes in the toon; it's one of the most highly rated Italian restaurants in the Newcastle area so it cannot be missed! As you'll be visiting at lunchtime, you shouldn't need to make a reservation as it typically starts to get really busy when they open for their evening seating.
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: Lunch: 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM, Dinner: 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM Sunday: Closed

Another hour's drive north will take you along the Northumberland coast to the tiny seaside village of Craster. Here you can park in the Craster Quarry Car Park for £4.50 for three hours which will give you plenty of time to walk to Dunstanburgh Castle and explore the area.
Return to your car once you have explored Dunstanburgh and Craster.

A 30-minute walk along a rugged Northumberland coastal path will take you from the quiet fishing village of Craster to the 14-century ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle.
Standing proudly on its very own headland, the grounds of Dunstanburgh Castle offer unparalleled views out to sea and all the way across Embleton Bay. The only way to access Dunstanburgh Castle is to walk from Craster, but the path is uneven and often muddy, so be prepared for rocky terrain.

Once you've had your fill of the mighty castle fortress, head further up the coast to Bamburgh where you'll quickly check-in at The Sunningdale and drop your bags and leave your car for the evening before heading back out into the village of Bamburgh.

As this itinerary is best suited to the spring and summer months between April and September, as the nights are lighter and warmer for longer, an evening stroll along Bamburgh Beach is a must-do once you're settled in at your accommodation.
Bamburgh Beach is undoubtedly one of the most breathtakingly beautiful beaches in Northumberland and during the day in the busy summer months, it can get very crowded with avid beach-goers. By visiting later in the evening, you'll be avoiding the crowds while still enjoying this truly stunning beach.

For dinner, head back into the village to The Potted Lobster; a fantastic eatery that's loved by both residents of Bamburgh and tourists from near and far.
With an impressive seafood lineup of lobster, mussels, oysters, crab and haddock chowder, plus numerous meat-lover and vegan-friendly options as well, The Potted Lobster is a brilliant place to eat after your busy first day on this three-day return trip from Leeds to Edinburgh.
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday: 12 PM - 9 PM

Return back to The Sunningdale after your meal to a cosy, comfortable hotel with a stunning conservatory area that's ideal for relaxing and unwinding in.
Some rooms even have tremendous views of Bamburgh Castle, so remember to request a room with a view when booking this hotel if that's something you'd like to enjoy during your stay at The Sunningdale.