Beadnell Towers & Kitchen: A Luxury Coastal Stay in Northumberland, England

On a small cove along the dramatic Northumbrian coast sits the tiny fishing village of Beadnell. Here, just minutes from the beach, Beadnell Towers & Kitchen makes a cosy boutique base for a coastal stay in northeast England 

The Scene at Beadnell Towers & Kitchen

A large gull flaps past the window, settling on a chimney top and taking a break from its usual business of stealing chips from unsuspecting tourists on the beach. From our attic-style bedroom on the third floor of Beadnell Towers, aptly named Craa’s Nest, we watch it preen. Our room’s wraparound windows offer a quadruple aspect, framing peaceful views across Beadnell Bay.

This luxurious Grade II listed guesthouse occupies a fine corner of the northeast, with warm, attentive staff who quickly make you feel at home in true Northumbrian style. Maria on the front desk is particularly welcoming, and the team soon feels like part of the experience rather than simply the people running the hotel.

Beadnell Towers has been counted among the Sunday Times’ ‘Top 100 Hotels to Stay in the UK’ and ranked in the top ten per cent of hotels worldwide on Tripadvisor. The restaurant also has a Michelin Key, adding further weight to what is already a compelling small coastal hotel.

Where Is Beadnell Towers & Kitchen?

Stay in the fishing village of Beadnell on this stretch of the Northumberland coast and you are close to the seafood of Seahouses, smoky kippers in Craster and the historic Northumberland landmarks of Alnwick, Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh, all around 15 minutes away by car. Chathill railway station, on the East Coast line, is just three miles from the hotel, while Beadnell’s two-mile beach is close enough to reach on foot.

The walk to the beach is part of the appeal. A laneway beside the hotel leads down a footpath past cottages with gardens filled with roses, then through the dunes and onto the sand. Along the way, hollyhocks and pillar-box-red wild poppies add colour to the route.

The Vibe: A Warm Northumberland Country-House Feel

Layered interiors and warmth at every turn give Beadnell Towers an intimate character, while the team quickly gets to know its guests. The bar and restaurant are favourites with locals as well as visitors, so there is always something happening downstairs, with cheerful chatter over drinks and dinner.

The hotel feels connected to the village rather than separate from it. After a day on the coast, guests and locals gather at the bar, while the beach, dunes and cottages beyond the hotel become part of the daily rhythm.

Inside the Rooms at Beadnell Towers

It all feels very intimate with only 22 rooms, each generously proportioned and tastefully dressed in tweed throws and cushions. Our comfy bed has a beautiful headboard featuring birds and flowers reminiscent of the local landscape, while a copper bath set in the centre of the room is an instant draw for a long soak after walking the coast.

The sage-tiled bathroom, with blue-painted accents, has a powerful rainfall shower and Noble Isle toiletries. In true British style, there is also a kettle, with plenty of decent tea, coffee and hot chocolate on offer.

Crooked stairs garlanded with vintage hanging lamps lead down to reception and a day room filled with sofas and shelves of books. It is an inviting place to sit with a book or simply enjoy a quiet moment away from the bar and restaurant.

Food and Drink at Beadnell Towers & Kitchen

After walking the coast, visitors and locals gather at the dog-friendly bar to catch up and share stories over beers from Alnwick Brewery, cocktails from Beadnell’s Pilgrim Spirit Company and quality whisky distilled in the northeast, including Ad Gefrin. Speak to the team about a visit to the Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum and whisky distillery in Wooler, where guests may be able to secure a discount on a tour.

The restaurant, where dogs are not permitted, is recognised by the Good Food Guide and Michelin Key awards. Tan-coloured banquette seating sits against deep blue panelled walls decorated with copper pans, giving the dining room a relaxed country-house feel. For dinner, my tip is to look at the specials, where crispy calamari comes with a delightfully zippy chilli dip, while a twice-baked cheese soufflé with mushrooms makes for a hearty, warming starter.

The main menu offers polished versions of old favourites such as fish and chips and chicken Caesar salad, but the standout dishes feature the local fisherman’s catch. A silky, lemony seafood pasta special generously packed with crab, mussels and more gets our vote.

Breakfast is a help-yourself spread of toast, home-baked pastries, fruit, muesli and local yoghurt, alongside a full English or eggs made to order. Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs prove a reliable choice, but locally smoked kippers from nearby Craster are the more appropriate breakfast in this part of the world. A large pot of coffee sees you on your way.

The atmosphere throughout the hotel is warm and friendly, with locals and guests mingling naturally. General Manager and RAF veteran Mick Holland runs the operation with military precision, while daughter Ella, working during her university holidays, adds a sophisticated spin to the cocktails behind the bar. Together, they contribute to the family atmosphere that runs through the property.

What Makes Beadnell Towers & Kitchen Special

The restaurant, filled with hungry, friendly locals, is a real drawcard, but it is the thoughtful details that make the hotel particularly well suited to a coastal stay. Buckets and spades and crabbing lines are available to borrow from reception, while a collection of welly boots sits by the door for those inevitable Northumberland showers.

This stretch of northeast England also benefits from something of a microclimate, where sea winds can blow dreary days away and leave bright blue skies in their place. It is another small bonus when your plans involve walking the beach or following the coastal paths.

Beach House Hotel: Beadnell Towers' Coastal Sister

Should you struggle to get a table or room at Beadnell Towers & Kitchen, its sister hotel, Beach House, lies a few miles around the coast near Seahouses. The beautifully renovated property is close to some of the best seafood in the area, serving freshly shucked local Lindisfarne oysters and grilled fresh-off-the-boat monkfish.

Fruity mocktails and refreshing drinks make it a good place to stop while discovering this stretch of coast, and the hotel enjoys views across the sea towards Northumberland’s castles. In the distance, you can see the charcoal silhouette of Bamburgh Castle, the historic royal fortress that dominates the coastline.

Together, the two properties offer different ways to experience this part of Northumberland: Beadnell Towers for its village setting and intimate 22-room atmosphere, and Beach House for its position closer to Seahouses and its coastal views.

Why Stay at Beadnell Towers & Kitchen?

Because between them, these two seaside properties offer a compelling version of luxury by the beach in the northeast. At Beadnell Towers, it is the combination of a small 22-room hotel, a strong local restaurant, easy access to Beadnell Beach and the warmth of the people running it that makes the stay memorable.

Come for the coast, stay for the food, the whisky, the copper bath and the people who make Beadnell Towers feel like part of the village.