Seahouses, Northumberland – Things to Do & Visitor Guide

Parking, Toilets & Planning Your Visit

For a first visit to Seahouses, Station Yard Car Park on Seafield Road is an easy place to start. It is the large car park close to the centre of the village, so once you have parked you can explore most of Seahouses on foot.

At the time of writing, the advertised tariff is free for the first hour, £5.50 for up to two hours, £7 for three hours and £10.50 for the day. Parking charges can change, so I would still check the signs when you arrive rather than relying on any website indefinitely.

The main public toilets are beside the car park at 6–8 Seafield Road, Seahouses, NE68 7SN. Northumberland County Council currently lists them as open all year, with an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities. Published opening hours are 7:30am–8pm between 1 April and 31 October and 7:30am–6pm between 1 November and 31 March.

If you are visiting for a Farne Islands boat trip, I would arrive earlier than you think you need to. The National Trust warns that Seahouses car parks can fill quickly and recommends leaving plenty of time to park and walk down to the harbour before your sailing.

Once the car is parked, Seahouses becomes much easier. The harbour, shops, food, whale bones and coast are all close enough to explore at a much slower pace.

Seahouses Harbour

The harbour is where Seahouses really comes together.

Its proper name is North Sunderland Harbour, although almost everyone visiting will know it simply as Seahouses Harbour. The official harbour history explains that it began as a small wooden jetty between natural rocky headlands before growing alongside the fishing industry.

It is still a working harbour today, although passenger boats heading out towards the Farne Islands now form a big part of what you see coming and going.

I like just wandering around here without much of a plan.

You can watch fishing boats and passenger boats manoeuvring inside the harbour, look out across the North Sea and walk out along the public parts of the piers for a different view back towards the village.

The harbour authority itself encourages visitors to enjoy a stroll along the piers but also makes an important point: this remains a busy working harbour, so follow signs and keep out of operational areas.

There is something constantly changing around the harbour. The tide alters how everything looks, boats disappear and return, and even if you have no intention of taking a trip yourself there is usually something worth stopping to watch.

Farne Islands Boat Trips from Seahouses

For many people, this is the main reason for coming to Seahouses.

The Farne Islands sit offshore and are one of the best-known wildlife sites on the Northumberland coast. Boat trips leave directly from Seahouses Harbour, with independent operators including Billy Shiel's, Golden Gate and Serenity.

Some trips simply sail around the islands, while others include a landing when access, weather and sea conditions allow.

The wildlife changes through the year. The National Trust describes May to July as the main breeding period when huge numbers of seabirds gather on the islands, including the puffins everyone hopes to see. Grey seals are another major reason for taking a trip.

It is worth booking ahead if a boat trip is the main reason for your visit. Sea conditions can affect sailings and landings, so a little flexibility helps.

When you reach the harbour, the individual boat-company huts are easy to find. For landing trips, visitors also need to follow the current National Trust ticket arrangements before sailing.

Dogs are not permitted to land on the Farne Islands because of the sensitive wildlife colonies. Some boat operators allow dogs to remain aboard on certain trips, so check directly with the company you are booking rather than assuming the rules are the same for every boat.

Even if you don't take a trip, there is something nice about seeing the boats return through the harbour entrance after being out around the islands.

Find the Whale Jaw Bones

One of my favourite little things around Seahouses is something you could quite easily walk past without realising there is a story behind it.

Standing above the harbour is a huge pair of whale jaw bones.

The information board beside them explains that they are thought to have come from a right whale. They were apparently discovered in a barn early in the twentieth century and may originally have come from a whale washed ashore during the nineteenth century.

In 1938 the bones were erected at the old Seahouses First School.

After the school later moved, the bones were stolen and damaged and are now around two feet shorter than they once were. They eventually found their way back to Seahouses, with the restored bones installed at their present harbour location in May 2023.

It only takes a few minutes to stop and have a look, but it is exactly the sort of thing I enjoy finding when we're exploring somewhere.

You aren't buying a ticket or rushing through an attraction. It is simply a strange little bit of Seahouses history sitting above the harbour waiting to be noticed.

Look Across to the Powder House

Another one to look out for is considerably smaller.

Sitting by itself on the rocks is a squat stone building known as The Powder House at Pace Hill.

Historic England records it as a Grade II listed building constructed in 1886 from sandstone, with straight walls and a barrel-vaulted roof. It was built as an explosives store for the gunpowder used when blasting rock during construction of the Long Pier and New Harbour.

Its isolated position suddenly makes a lot of sense once you know what was kept inside.

It is one of those buildings that does not look particularly dramatic from a distance, but knowing what it was used for makes you look at it completely differently.

The nice thing is that you don't really need to make a separate journey to see it. Just remember to look for it while you are exploring around the harbour.

A Little of Seahouses' Fishing Story

Seahouses has not always been primarily a visitor destination.

North Sunderland is the older settlement, while the coastal village that became Seahouses grew rapidly as fishing developed during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The harbour expanded alongside the fishing and fish-curing industries, with a major phase of harbour construction beginning in 1886.

Fishing remains part of Seahouses today, although tourism, wildlife trips, diving and leisure boats now account for much more harbour activity than they once did.

I think knowing that helps explain why Seahouses feels different from some of the smaller Northumberland villages.

It isn't a perfectly polished little resort created for visitors.

It still feels like somewhere that actually works.

Swallow Fish and The Fisherman's Kitchen

One place where that fishing history is still very easy to see is Swallow Fish on South Street.

The business operates from The Fisherman's Kitchen, where the original smokehouses have been working on the site since 1843. Swallow Fish says fish is still smoked using traditional oak sawdust, and visitors can also see historic photographs and material connected with Seahouses' fishing past inside The Fisherman's Kitchen.

It is a lovely connection between the working harbour you see today and the industries that shaped Seahouses generations ago.

You can also buy traditionally smoked fish and fresh seasonal fish while you are there.

Shops in Seahouses

Another thing I enjoy about Seahouses is simply wandering through the village.

There are plenty of independent shops mixed in with the cafés, food places and other businesses, so it is easy to lose half an hour looking around without really planning to.

We nearly always have a look in the National Trust shop as well. With the Farne Islands just offshore, unsurprisingly there are plenty of puffin and wildlife-related gifts, books, cards and souvenirs. The National Trust confirms that purchases there support its conservation work on the islands.

Seahouses is much better when you allow time for this sort of wandering rather than marching directly from the car park to the harbour and back again.

Opening times for individual shops can change through the year, particularly outside summer, so check ahead if there is somewhere specific you particularly want to visit.

Does Seahouses Have a Beach?

Yes — although the beach around the immediate harbour area is not quite the enormous sweep of sand people sometimes imagine.

There are smaller sandy sections around Seahouses itself, mixed with rocks and harbour shoreline.

They are nice for a wander and children will find plenty to investigate around the shore, but the really impressive sandy coastline begins as you head north from Seahouses towards Bamburgh.

Very quickly the coast opens out.

There are dunes behind you, sea stretching away on one side and, on a clear day, Bamburgh Castle sitting ahead in the distance.

Visit Northumberland also describes sandy beaches both north and south of Seahouses, so there is plenty more coastline to explore if you are happy to wander a little beyond the immediate harbour.

Walk from Seahouses to Bamburgh

If you have time, the walk north towards Bamburgh is one of the best things you can do from Seahouses without needing the car again.

The walk is roughly three miles each way, depending on exactly where you begin and finish, and much of the route follows the sandy coast with Bamburgh Castle getting steadily larger ahead of you.

That castle view is what makes the walk.

At first it sits well off in the distance, but before long it starts to dominate the horizon.

You can walk there and back for a roughly six-mile outing, or check the current local bus timetable and potentially use a bus for one direction.

As with any beach walk, tides, weather and underfoot conditions can alter how pleasant particular sections are. If the sea is high or conditions are rough, use the signed coastal route rather than assuming the beach will always be the best option.

Things to Do in Seahouses with Children

There is actually quite a good mixture here for children because not everything depends on perfect weather or everybody wanting to do the same thing.

The harbour gives them boats to watch, the beach gives them somewhere to explore and the whale bones and Powder House add a couple of things to look for rather than simply walking around.

Then there is the more traditional seaside stuff.

The Bunker on Seafield Road currently has an 18-hole crazy golf course as well as indoor soft play, so it is useful if children want something more energetic or the weather turns against you.

There are also amusements in the village, ice cream, fish and chips and, of course, the possibility of a Farne Islands boat trip.

It gives you enough variety to change the day as you go rather than needing an hour-by-hour itinerary.

Visiting Seahouses with a Dog

Seahouses also works well if you are exploring with a dog because there is so much open coastline.

Visit Northumberland currently states that dogs are allowed on Seahouses beaches throughout the year, although it is still important to follow any signs you encounter and keep dogs under close control around wildlife and livestock.

Individual businesses have their own policies.

The biggest thing to remember is the Farne Islands: dogs cannot land on the islands because of the sensitive wildlife colonies, even though some operators may allow them to stay aboard particular boat trips.

If your main plan is simply the harbour and a long coastal walk towards Bamburgh, there is plenty of space to make a good day of it without needing to go indoors.

Food and Fish & Chips in Seahouses

It would be slightly strange to write a Seahouses guide without mentioning fish and chips.

There are several places around the village, along with cafés, pubs and restaurants, so you are not short of options.

I wouldn't try to tell anyone there is one definitive "best" fish-and-chip shop because those arguments can get more serious than the football.

Have a look around, choose somewhere that suits you and take them down towards the harbour if the weather is behaving itself.

Just keep an eye on the gulls.

The harbour setting is part of the enjoyment. There is something about eating fish and chips while boats are coming and going that feels exactly right here.

Where We Stayed – The Bamburgh Castle Inn

We have stayed at The Bamburgh Castle Inn, right above Seahouses Harbour, and had a really good stay.

The staff were friendly, but what made it for us was the location.

We paid that little bit extra for a balcony room overlooking the harbour, and I would do the same again.

From the room we could look straight down over the boats, sit outside with the harbour immediately below us and see the Farne Islands beyond. The inn itself confirms that its balcony rooms have private balconies overlooking the harbour.

It changed the experience of Seahouses completely.

Rather than needing to decide when to drive in and when to leave, we could simply go back outside whenever we felt like it.

The Bamburgh Castle Inn does not have its own car park, although there is pay-and-display parking opposite.

For me, that harbour view was worth paying a little more for.

Stay Around for Sunset

One of the nicest memories from that stay had nothing to do with an attraction.

We simply went for a walk as evening arrived.

Looking north along the coast, Bamburgh Castle was sitting in the distance while the sky behind it turned deep orange and red.

It is a completely different view from standing underneath the castle at Bamburgh.

From Seahouses you see how strongly it dominates the whole coastline, even from several miles away.

You cannot guarantee a sunset like that, obviously, but if the sky starts looking promising I would not rush back indoors.

Walk Around the Harbour at Night

Later that evening we went back out again.

The daytime boats and crowds had largely disappeared and the harbour felt much calmer. Lights from around the quayside were reflecting across the dark water and we more or less had the view to ourselves.

It only needed a short wander.

That is one reason I think staying overnight gives you something a day visit does not.

During the busiest part of the day Seahouses can feel lively and fairly hectic. A few hours later it can feel completely different.

Just take extra care around harbour edges after dark and stick to public areas. It remains a working harbour whether it is busy or quiet.

Places to Visit Near Seahouses

One of Seahouses' biggest advantages is its location.

You can spend a full day here without going anywhere else, but if you are staying for a few days it also puts you right in the middle of one of the best stretches of the Northumberland coast.

Bamburgh

Bamburgh is only a few miles north of Seahouses and you can either drive there or make the journey part of the day by walking along the beach.

The huge sandy beach is worth visiting in its own right, but the obvious landmark is Bamburgh Castle, which sits high above the village on its rocky outcrop. The castle is open to visitors, with state rooms, grounds and the Armstrong and Aviation Museum included with admission.

Even if you do not go inside, walking along Bamburgh Beach beneath it is one of the most impressive coastal views in Northumberland.

The village itself is compact enough for a slow wander, with cafés, places to eat and St Aidan's Church close to the centre.

Also in Bamburgh is the RNLI Grace Darling Museum. Entry is free and the museum tells the story of Grace Darling and the rescue that made her internationally famous. Opening can depend on volunteer availability, so check current details before making a special journey.

If you only have half a day spare after Seahouses, Bamburgh would be very high on my list.

Beadnell

Head the other way from Seahouses and you soon reach Beadnell.

It has a different feel again.

The village sits beside the broad curve of Beadnell Bay, with a huge sandy beach that is particularly popular for watersports. Kayaking, sailing, kitesurfing and other water-based activities all make use of the sheltered bay.

Beadnell also has a small historic harbour, and the Northumberland Coast National Landscape highlights the village's harbour, lime kilns and St Ebba's Church among its features.

If Seahouses feels busy, Beadnell can make a nice contrast.

You can simply wander the beach, explore around the harbour or carry on along the coast.

It is also close enough that combining both in one day does not feel like spending the whole time driving from place to place.

Holy Island of Lindisfarne

A little further north is Holy Island, and if you are staying around Seahouses for more than a day I think it is absolutely worth considering.

Holy Island is reached by a tidal road causeway, so visiting is very different from simply driving to Bamburgh or Beadnell.

The causeway disappears under the sea twice each day. You must check the official safe crossing times before travelling and give yourself enough time to cross comfortably rather than trying to squeeze through at the edge of a safe window.

Once on the island there is far more than just Lindisfarne Castle.

You can explore the village, Priory, harbour, coast, lime kilns, Lookout Tower and some wonderfully quiet corners away from the busiest part of the village.

We have built a full Holy Island Visitor Guide covering the crossing, parking and everything we have found around the island, so if you are planning to combine it with Seahouses that is the best place to start.

 Holy Island Visitor Guide

I would give Holy Island at least several hours rather than treating it as somewhere to rush around between two tide times.

Before You Visit

Seahouses is an easy place to explore without overplanning, but there are a few things worth checking before setting off.

Parking charges can change, shops and attractions may have different seasonal opening times and boat trips depend on weather and sea conditions.

If the Farne Islands are the main reason for your trip, check directly with your chosen boat operator before travelling.

If you are continuing on to Holy Island, check the current official safe causeway crossing times before you leave Seahouses. Never rely on remembered tide times from a previous visit.

Most importantly, give yourself enough time to wander.

Some of the best bits of Seahouses aren't things you need to book at all.

They are the harbour, the boats, the strange little pieces of history, the long stretch of sand towards Bamburgh and, if you are lucky, one of those evenings when the whole coast seems to slow down.

Explore More of Northumberland

Seahouses sits in a brilliant position for exploring more of the Northumberland coast.

Head north for Bamburgh and its castle, south for the wide sands and harbour at Beadnell, or plan a tide-safe journey further north to Holy Island of Lindisfarne.

Our North East guides are built from places we have actually explored, with the practical information we would want to know before setting off ourselves.