Dean Bailey samples the best of the Northumberland coast – on and off the course – while staying at The Inn Collection Group’s Lindisfarne Inn
The Northumberland coast is a marvellous place to spend time – from the rugged dunes and isolated beaches to the weather-worn cliffs and imposing castles which stand watch over the shoreline. This landscape is incredible for golf and the linksland from the Tweed to the Tyne is home to the spectacular championship links of Goswick in the north and the likes of Dunstanburgh Castle, Bamburgh Castle and Seahouses – where Inn Collection Group is supporting the club’s junior programme – a little further south.
A draw for so many golfers visiting the county, not least because of its ranking in the country’s top 100 golf courses and status as a host venue for Local Qualifying for the Open Championship, Goswick is the crown jewel of this coastline. A stunning piece of land for golf sandwiched between the North Sea and the East Coast Main Line, the links present a fascinating test for every level of golfer with many of the complex green sites cut into dunes and tucked beyond imposing, deep, and often revetted bunkers.
Having tackled the links, The Lindisfarne Inn – located just off the A1 at the junction for the Holy Island causeway – is the perfect place to recount the stories of the day and unwind.
A traditional Northumberland pub, there is so much for golfers to enjoy here – starting with the food. Breakfast is hearty and served as early as 7.30am for those heading to the course early. For those coming back late, we can highly recommend the evening menu too – particularly the pies featuring locally sourced game when in season – which is served until 9pm. Golfers will also be thankful for the 23 en-suite rooms, which each have their own front door and easy access to the car park – an underrated luxury when moving around with golf clubs. Light, bright and modern rooms with plenty of space to store your gear are home to comfortable beds and hot showers – exactly what you want after a day on the course. There’s also free wi-fi for checking scores and sharing stories of your rounds. The inn is less than 10 minutes’ drive from Goswick, 18 minutes’ drive from Bamburgh Castle Golf Club, and less than 30 minutes’ drive from Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course – making it an ideal place to base yourself for these courses as well as those further inland.
Special mention must go to the welcome you’ll receive in this part of the world. The team at The Lindisfarne were at the very top of their game throughout our stay – from the warmest of welcomes to getting us on the road quickly with a fast breakfast ahead of our morning game. Meanwhile, Shona in the pro shop at Goswick provided one of the best welcomes we’ve ever had – her introduction to the club made the experience of teeing it up here even more special.
Dinner, bed and breakfast packages at The Lindisfarne Inn start from £99 per person. Golf breaks including the best courses on the Northumberland coast as well as some a little further inland can be arranged thanks to a partnership between Inn Collection Group and Alnwick Golf Breaks. To book your stay direct, visit www.inncollectiongroup.com/lindisfarne-inn and to discuss your golf break email enquiries@alnwickgolfbreaks.co.uk
