Visit Bamburgh

In Britain, castles are fairly common, but even the most jaded history buff can’t fail to be moved by Bamburgh. It’s pure drama! The castle’s elegant keep and sweeping battlements dominate the skyline, and below stands a vast arc of golden sand and a picture-postcard village. Spellbinding.

Bamburgh Castle is packed with interesting historic treasures and some suitably grand interiors, but it’s the stronghold’s imposing ramparts and setting that have the most impact.

Wander down to St Aidan’s Beach, take in the mighty castle, the ocean and the Farne Islands beyond and you can almost imagine times past when Viking raiders crashed through the waves and rushed up the powdery sands.

Bamburgh’s a little sleepier nowadays, with the pretty village known for its twee cottages, tea rooms and classic pubs. There’s a fantastic RNLI museum here too, celebrating the life of local 19th-century heroine Grace Darling.