The Joiners Arms, Northumberland

Overview

Close to castles, magnificent beaches and fabulous walks, this charming inn combines bohemian character with a winning coastal location. Just a brisk stroll from one of Northumberland's finest beaches at Low Newton-by-the-Sea, or a short drive from several stunning castles, it takes some beating as a weekend base for walking, unwinding and exploring the county's wild coastline.

Take your pick of the eclectic tables and mismatched chairs in the candlelit bar, festooned with potted plants, floral lampshades and crimson velvet fabrics. Despite the bohemian touches, the interior retains a rustic charm, with exposed stone walls, flagstone floors and roaring log fires making it the perfect setting for a cosy evening by the fireside. The plank-panelled dining room extension leads through to the rear terrace, where guests can enjoy carefully crafted food sourced from an army of local producers.

Rooms from

Doubles and twins: £140

Good to know

All major credit cards accepted
Private and alfresco dining
Parking available
Disabled access

Water and waves
Located close to some of Northumberland's finest beaches, The Joiner's Arms is an ideal base for exploring the rugged, windy coastline.

Family favourite
Children can enjoy their own menu and there are plenty of drawing materials to keep them entertained.

Dog-friendly
For four-legged guests there are a few treats stocked behind the bar and there are two dog-friendly rooms available as well.

Rooms

If you love the bold and quirky décor in the bar, you'll enjoy staying in one of the five boudoir-style rooms. Brimming with character and charm, each is distinctively bold in design. Expect antler chandeliers, lavish fabrics, deep-pile carpets, lacquered furnishings and low-slung French beds. The three rear rooms have double-ended baths in the rooms themselves, and pretty Juliet balconies with panoramic rural views.

All rooms include 'cocktail kits', and perfumed oils and rose petals can be arranged for relaxing in the bath while watching the sunset with a glass of bubbly. Bathrooms have walk-in showers, fluffy bathrobes and Caroline Henry toiletries. Rooms are popular with guests attending weddings at nearby Newton Hall, which has also been grandly renovated and under the same ownership.

Restaurant & bar

Expect home-style, honest cooking in the beautiful plank-panelled restaurant. Hearty pub food served in generous portions, using the best local ingredients around. A light lunch might mean a baked camembert or a stottie (soft rolls made by Trotter's in nearby Seahouses) taken on the alfresco terrace, with a pint of locally brewed ale, or linger a little longer and indulge in a three-course dinner.

There's plenty of options at the bar, with gin-lovers having 23 gins to choose from. Don't miss out on a Lindisfarne Gin with local Marlish tonic water. The Corney & Barrow list of wines includes ten by the glass.

Things to do

Just a twenty-minute drive away is Alnwick Castle, a majestic sprawling medieval pile that is a fabulous day out for the whole family. Take a tour, explore the state-rooms or take your kids to broomstick training on the very spot where Harry Potter had his first flying lesson in the film of The Philosopher's Stone!

A little further afield but well worth the trip is the island of Lindisfarne, a holy site founded in 635AD which is now home to an intriguing castle. The National Trust now look after Lindisfarne and there are plenty of activities taking place all year round, including trails and exhibitions.