The bustling town of Amble is situated at the mouth of the River Coquet and is an ideal place for exploring Northumberland. Historically a centre for boatbuilding, Amble offers a marina, a harbour, sandy beaches and coastal walks to the bird sanctuary at Hauxley. Large fishing boats moor along the harbour wall and land a variety of fish, prawns, crabs and lobsters – the daily catch can be bought at a fish shop in the harbour. A mile south of Amble is Coquet Island, an RSPB reserve with a large population of terns, puffins and eider ducks and boat trips around the island can be arranged. The pretty coastal villages of Alnmouth and Craster and numerous superb beaches are only a short drive away, whilst charming Alnwick with its castle and award winning gardens, and the National Trust’s Wallington Hall and Cragside are all within easy reach.