The Northumberland coast has long attracted holiday-goers. But now many vacationers are making a more solid investment in the area. We take a look at why.

Why the Northumberland coast?

While the main thing that strikes any visitors about the Northumberland Coast is its sheer beauty, there’s plenty more here to do than just taking in the stunning vistas and breathing the fresh sea air.

As an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the area has much to recommend it - from the 30 miles of golden sand to the wildlife-filled Farne Islands and Druridge Bay. And let’s not forget the historic Holy Island of Lindisfarne.

But it’s the towns and villages that dot the coastline that bring people back year after year. From quaint villages with no-nonsense fresh seafood, to attractive towns with high-end restaurants and regular markets, the area has it all.

And if the weather changes – which it will do – you can head up into the hills above the incoming fog to explore ancient castles at Alnwick, or jump on the train and visit cultural centres like Newcastle in a matter of minutes.

A second home haven

In the 2011 census, Northumberland was listed as one of the top 20 local authorities for second homes, with 8,876 homes.

Last year, around a quarter of homes sold by Strutt & Parkers in the area were second homes. And these were in all price ranges from £250k up to £2m.

Most of these second home buyers came from nearby Yorkshire – an easy trip up to A1 or on the East Coast mainline.

Where to buy…

There are a number of places in the area that are favoured by both locals and holidaymakers. We take a look at some of the most popular…

• Bamburgh. Dubbed the Chelsea of Northumberland, this is one of the most desirable villages in the area. While you might not see high levels of capital growth on a home you buy here, you’ll still have a holiday property overlooked by the stunning castle and in walking distance of beaches, boutique hotels and museums.
• Alnmouth. Colourful homes line the Aln estuary that leads to the sea. It has deserted beaches, bird sanctuaries and plenty of good local pubs.
• Warkworth. Another village, another stunning castle. This village is also circled by the River Coquet and has plenty of independent shops, along with a golf course and on-river entertainment options.
• Beadnell. Jutting out into the sea, this village is backed by sand dunes. The bay is a favourite of watersports fans, while the small quay sits on the only west-facing harbour on the east coast.
• Craster. This fishing port is famous for its smoked kippers, around which a great foodie scene has developed in recent years. It’s also blessed with a nature reserve, local art galleries and the ruins of nearby Dunstanburgh Castle.
• Newton-by-the-sea / Low Newton. This settlement is a classic fisherman’s village, from its traditional white houses to the long stretch of golden sands. It has a popular pub with its own micro-brewery and can be quiet even during peak season.
• Embleton. The highlight here is Embleton Bay – a huge stretch of golden sand that’s off the popular tourist route. The ancient village dates back to the 12th century, with Dunstanburgh Castle overlooking it.

Amble: the hip coastal hotspot

One of the areas growing in popularity is Amble. In recent years, this has developed its own foodie scene with venues like The Fat Mermaid and The Old Boat House getting great reviews. It’s also benefitted from a transformed marina and harbour.

The popularity of Amble has grown for two main reasons. Firstly, because it is a genuine market town with a good high street. Plus, there’s the beautiful marina which, quite unlike others around the county, has built itself up on local trade, which means it has a special atmosphere and everyone knows each other.

The other cause of growth has been the culinary focus that has developed on the marina edge. It started with The Old Boat House and was followed by the likes of ice cream parlour Spureli’s and bistro Sea Salt.

At the centre of all this is a new development called Coble Quay. This innovative and exciting project is bringing new homes to the town that fit in with the marina’s design aesthetic. As the development evolves, there will be two premises that are almost certainly going to be delicatessen or food orientated outlets, further boosting the town’s gastro credentials.

Phases 1, 2 & 3 of the development are sold. Phase 4 will be release sometime later in the year.

House price trends – now and in the future

Following the changes to stamp duty, holiday homes have become less financially desirable. But this could help places like Northumberland in the future as it’s still much more affordable than similar counties on the south coast.

It’s estimated that a holiday home here could comfortably provide a 4% to 7% return on investment, which is much better than other areas.

The area also has a strong lettings market where prices will remain stable and strong. A lot of local letting agents are experienced in holiday lets, so renting out your home when you don’t need it can be done with little hassle.

Find your perfect Northumberland Coast holiday home