Review: Harbour Way, Seahouses, Northumberland, UK

Having visited the North East of England for many years, we have always held a deep affection for this largely overlooked corner of the British coastline. Historically marketed as “The Secret Kingdom”, Northumberland remains a region that is surprisingly undiscovered by much of the UK population. In many ways, that quiet solitude is precisely where its magic lies — particularly when visiting during the shoulder seasons, when wide-open beaches, crisp coastal air, and atmospheric historic sites can be enjoyed in relative tranquility.

On our most recent visit, we checked into Harbour Way, a charming self-catering property in Seahouses managed by Coast & Country Stays.

The welcome

Arriving in Seahouses, parking is seamless. At the rear of the property, there is a dedicated square with enough private off-road space to comfortably park two vehicles — a real asset in a historic coastal village where parking can often prove tricky. Access is via a secure lockbox, making check-in smooth and straightforward regardless of what time you arrive.

The property

Harbour Way is featured on Cool Stays, which is a strong indicator of its unique character and high standards, before you even set foot through the door.. You can enter from the front or the rear of the property. The front brings you through a hallway, the walls of which are adorned with an old map of Seahouses and vintage photographs of the harbour in its heydey, crowded with wooden sailing ships and with a busy quayside.

The hall leads through to the heart of the property – a rustic open-plan living and dining area.

The clue is in the name of the village of course but, in case you weren’t sure, you’re instantly aware that you’re in a coastal location given the array of nautical ornaments and wall hangings. There are decorative wooden fish mounted on the wall, small paintings of sailing boats, and industrial-chic light fixtures suspended from thick hanging rope, all very tastefully done.

Below these lights is the dining area with a rustic dining table complete with bench and individual seating, and an adjoining full-length kitchen fitted with integrated appliances, including a fridge, freezer, oven, microwave, and dishwasher, as well as a toaster, kettle, and dedicated coffee maker. Decorative touches like an old milk churn and vintage weighing scales sit on the windowsill to enhance the rustic aesthetic, while a glass cabinet nearby holds an ample supply of glassware along with a selection of games and jigsaws for rainy afternoons spent indoors.

At the lounge end of the room are two sofas and a window seat, against artistically exposed brickwork, providing comfortable options for relaxing, as well as a TV and a softly-lit hearth housing a realistic artificial fire stove.

Also off the hallway is a convenient ground-floor cloakroom with a toilet and basin, and a spacious double bedroom featuring a king-sized bed, flat-screen TV, and its own en-suite facilities with a shower, basin, WC, and luxury hand wash. As well as there being ample hanging space and shelving, there are additional acknowledgments of the coastal location in the form of a long fish-shaped mirror and decorative fish staggered along the wall.

Upstairs, a wooden door marked “Captain’s Quarters” leads into a charming twin-bedded room for children or extra guests, adorned with further nautical decorations.

Next door sits a third double bedroom, positioned directly opposite a shared family bathroom featuring a large walk-in shower.

And lastly, at the far end of the landing, the master bedroom features a super-king bed and its own private en suite with a shower, basin, WC, and shaving point.

The centrepiece of the master suite is a stunning freestanding bathtub positioned within the bedroom itself, accompanied by luxury Noble Isle toiletries.

All bedrooms in the house are equipped with Smart TVs, and the property enjoys high-speed WiFi and is dog-friendly.

The location

The property is a very short, two-minute stroll from the harbour, which also means that the whole of Seahouses is within easy walking distance. The village has a rich maritime history and, in the mid-19th century, was a major herring fishing port. In fact, it is famously known as the birthplace of the kipper, produced as the result of an accident when some split herring were left in a shed where a fire had been left on overnight.

Local smokehouses perfected the art of curing fresh herring over oak sawdust fires — a craft still carried on today by historic local outfits like Swallow Fish, which is just around the corner from Harbour Way and has been operating smokehouses since 1843.

Today, Seahouses remains a vibrant fishing village with a bustling harbour, and plenty of independent shops and cafés, as well as some of the finest fish and chip shops in Northumberland.

The location of the village also makes it an exceptional springboard for exploring the Northumbrian coastline. Boat trips depart directly from Seahouses harbour to the Farne Islands, one of the UK’s premier wildlife habitats, where visitors can spot thousands of nesting puffins, guillemots, and large grey seal colonies between spring and mid-summer.

Iconic attractions such as Bamburgh Castle, which stands dramatically on a basalt crag, is just three miles to the north and overlooks miles of golden sand. The village there is lovely also.

We also visited Craster and walked along the route to the romantic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, enjoying exceptional weather considering it was October!

Afterwards, we visited the smokehouse at Craster, which was clearly in operation, before having a lazy pub lunch opposite.

Further afield, a short drive brings you to the tidal island of Holy Island (Lindisfarne). Or, in the other direction, you have the historic grandeur of Alnwick Castle and its renowned gardens. Both are within a 30 minute drive.

When it comes to eating out, you don’t need to venture far. The Black Swan Inn, which has recently undergone a comprehensive £500,000 refurbishment, is literally just outside the front door. A short stroll down to the quayside brings you to The Olde Ship Inn, a historic, character-filled pub overlooking the harbour where we enjoyed a particularly good meal surrounded by maritime memorabilia.

For broader dining choices, Coast & Country Stays also operates Beadnell Towers & Kitchen and the Beach House Hotel, both offering excellent food and atmosphere just minutes down the coast.

Other nice touches

All too often, the smaller details go unnoticed and are often taken for granted, yet can make all the difference to your stay. In the case of our stay at Harbour Way, we were welcomed by a pint of milk in the fridge, tea, coffee and shortbread, as well as a display of fresh flowers.

In addition to a printed handbook kept inside the property, a digital guide was accessible via Touch Stay. This provided us with instant access – even before we arrived – to property instructions, appliance guides, and local recommendations.

The cost

Rates vary from £600 from a 3-night break out of season up to £3,200 for a full week in peak season. Given the property comfortably sleeps up to eight guests across four en-suite and family bedrooms, it offers excellent value for multi-generational families or groups of friends sharing a coastal getaway.

The best bit

With seaside properties, you often sacrifice modern luxury for the location. Not so at Harbour Way where both an authentic coastal atmosphere, and all the modern comforts you need, are delivered in equal measure. There’s something magical about being able to enjoy all the comforts of your own home, yet still be just two minutes’ from the hustle and bustle of fishermen on the quayside, or admire the sun setting over the harbour in the early evening.

The final verdict

Harbour Way is a stellar example of what coastal self-catering accommodation should be. It has a clever layout with ground floor sleeping options and multiple en suites, as well as a kids’ room, making it particularly well suited for multi-generational stays. Even with a ‘full house’, there is ample space for everyone and I don’t think it would ever feel cramped, even with groups of up to eight people. Not only that, but the rustic, historic charm of this Northumbrian fishing cottage has been beautifully preserved, thanks to high-end fixtures and tasteful interior styling, making it a warm and welcoming base in the heart of Seahouses.

Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by Coast & Country Stays.