"Tiny; kippers; castle; walking." Craster by leics

Craster is a small fishing village on the Northumberland coast.

It really is very small indeed, although there is a pub.

I stayed there for a week a decade or so ago, and returned this year for a brief, wet and windy (gale force) visit.

The village is named after the family who owned it, and who built the present harbour in 1906 as a memorial to their son (killed on active service in India).

Once, its quarry produced the kerbstones for London......imagine how many thousands must have been shipped from Craster's little harbour. How very few people in London realise the stones under their feet came from such a tiny place so far away.

But that was long ago; the quarry is now a nature reserve and provides the car parking for non-residents.

Robson's smokehouse

Craster's main claim to fame lies with the humble herring. At one time herring-girls spent their days gutting the fish and putting them into barrels....1000 per girl per day sometimes. And the men of the village caught the herring, of course.

From herrings come kippers (the smoked version) Craster is still famous for its kippers, although only one smokehouse remains. They are lovely though, with quite a specific taste........well worth trying some if you are in Northumberland (you'll find 'Craster kippers' on many a menu).

Dunstanburgh Castle

There are fantastic walks along the coast from Craster, and inland too.

To the north it's an easy, flat mile or so's walk to the wonderfully romantic and evocative ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, dating from the 14th century and one owned by John of Gaunt. Walk to the other side and spend a while watching the fantastic colonies of birds which live on the cliffs.

I didn't walk there this time: it was getting dark, blowing hard enough to make me wobble and pouring with rain. So the castle photo was from the other direction (Embleton/Dunstan Steads), taken half-and-hour or so beforehand.

If you like wild weather, birds, beachcombing, walking,....and peace... then Craster is an ideal spot for an out-of-season break. Not so good in the summer, for it is a popular daytrip for locals as well as those who visit Northumberland.

I may well stay there again, one day.....

• Pros:Landscape, kippers, Dunstanburgh castle
• Cons:Can be very busy in season
• In a nutshell:Tiny; kippers; castle; walking.