Dunstanburgh Castle
Dunstanburgh Road, Craster, Northumberland NE66 3TT
The most magnificently sited of all Northumberland's medieval castle ruins, Dunstanburgh occupies a windswept headland not far from the small fishing village of Craster – the mile-and-a-half, half-hour walk up to the castle is one of those 'do-not-miss' moments if you're anywhere in the vicinity. As you get closer, the surviving walls and tower reveal themselves – pretty much all that's left of a castle that was built in the 14th century and all but abandoned after the violent years of the Wars of the Roses. The views of the coast are superb and if you're in the mood you can crack on to a fine series of unspoiled beaches at quiet places such as Embleton, Low Newton and Beadnell. Meanwhile, back at Craster (which is where the nearest car park is), there's famous crab soup and crab sandwiches in the Jolly Fisherman pub and oak-smoked kippers and salmon from Robson's 130-year-old smokehouse.
