If the situation over the last year has taught us anything it’s been to slow down. That some of the everyday little things can be and should be more of a treat rather than taken for granted, like our daily walk or coffee break.

So, when your able to come and stay with us, here are a few things we think you could do on your holiday.

Days on the beach. Take a morning dip in the sea * before breakfast and head back for a shower and for some hot buttery Kippers on toast from the local Smoke house. If swimming isn’t your thing why not clear away the cobwebs on a good morning walk or jog. Clear your head and find some mindfulness with some beach yoga @boxyoga, with the lull of the waves as your soundtrack.

If you’re planning to make the most of having a lie in and a lazy morning, you could pack up a picnic and head off to the beach for the afternoon or one of the picturesque countryside valleys. Watch as the waves roll in and out, or find a spot by the river for the perfect alfresco setting.

The best bit… you can drive to Northumberland without the hassle of the airport and check in with the knowledge that by comparison it’s one of the quietest counties in the country.

For families there’s little need during the day for electronic devises. Kids will love being outdoors from building sandcastles, or for the adults a whole (Game of Thrones style, Sand castle kingdom) on the beach.

Why not set up a ‘Beach Games’ noughts and crosses in the sand, Pictionary, or sand darts where all you need it a stick to draw with and some pebbles to play along. If you’re feeling like an artiste for the day why not make a sand sculpture choose a sea creature and make one of the Farne Island seals or dig out a hollow to make your very own pirate ship to set sail; use your imagination in the shadow of Bamburgh or Dunstanburgh Castle!

What to pack in your suitcase: It’s a good idea to bring a few items in case shops aren’t fully open, a cricket bat and ball, rounders set, football, fishing nets, kite, buckets and spades, ‘Scatch’ (come on who doesn’t love a game of Scatch… totally showing our age here) of course all of these are available here in the village of Seahouses when the shops are fully open at @farnegifts, but like the Scouts moto goes ‘always be prepared’.  A body board is great for supervised surfing in the shallows of the sea, or perhaps take binoculars for a spot of bird watching. There is wildlife spotting in abundance on your walks and boat trips, here’s hoping it won’t be long till the trips out to the Farne Islands and around the coast line will open up again @farne_islands, but even from the beach there’s so much to see.

We think the Kids will love nothing more than being outdoors after all that home schooling and (we’re sure you will too) there’s one thing for sure there’s plenty of wide-open space up here!

How about a bit of nostalgia like skimming stones, doing a scavenger hunt around the beach, have a show and tell at lunch to see what finds the kids have gathered before leaving them back in Nature.

Still not sure what to do on your holiday, our cottages are full of literature, and  books for more ideas for you and your clan to make the most of slower days by the sea.

Worried that restaurants and eateries won’t be open?

Here’s some top tips for preparing delicious grub for your holidays.

Have a picnic – local farm shops like @sunnyhills_belford and NEW @therollingpighogroastandbbq have some great ingredients. @Turnbullsfood at Alnwick is great for local Butchery and lots of deli delights, wines and beers and even give you tips of prepping your meals and ideas on their Instagram and Facebook pages. @scottsofalnmouth have just launched a fab new takeaway range ‘Scott’s at the beach’ as well as @thecopperkettlebamburgh, @thestableyardcraster in Craster and local @kooked. Perhaps look up @bamburger for all new top quality burgers from @carters_butchers in Bamburgh.

There are some brilliant artisan pizza options popping up, who do offer a collection, @box.restaurant and @embers.northumberland some even do the kits to make back in the cottage and have a foodie night.

A trip to the coast is never complete without fish and chips, Neptune’s do fantastic kid’s choices and some lighter options like their own fish cakes in the village of Seahouses.

@thehutatbamburgh and @baitatbeadnell there’s so much choice, and of course we’re are fully self-catering so you can enjoy bring back local produce to create in our cosy cottages.

All in all, we think Northumberland will give you the perfect backdrop to dream, explore and discover a fantastic holiday destination.

*Take a morning dip in the sea: always do this safely.