The pretty seaside town has been named one of the UK’s ‘best kept secrets’ – and we went to find out why it’s so special.
Despite being small, a charming and ‘flourishing’ Northumberland coastal town has finally earned well-deserved national acclaim.
Scenic Amble was recently hailed as one of Britain’s ‘best kept secrets’ by The Telegraph.
Whilst perhaps not as hectic as fellow Northumberland locations such as Morpeth or Alnwick, this seaside settlement has nonetheless demonstrated its worthiness as a destination, with its harbour, pristine coastline and vibrant high street establishing itself as a culinary hotspot.
Having also featured on the roster of ‘most coveted’ seaside places to reside in Britain, Chronicle Live explored this North East ‘hidden treasure’ of Amble, offering fresh seafood, stunning vistas and welcoming atmosphere.
Resident Joe Jackson, 64, has called Amble home for more than 45 years intermittently.
Its coastal location is what renders the locale ‘ideal’ in his view.
Joe continued: “It’s not too urban but easy enough to commute to and from, has access to sea, it’s half an hour from Newcastle city centre, or you can easily hop on a train to Scotland or London.
“We’re a hardy breed of people here. People that lived and worked here were tough. Amble was made of coal and wool and fishing industries Now that’s changed – fishing is still an active community but much reduced.”
Joe observes that recent years have witnessed an influx of visitors to the town, which has bolstered development.
He remarked: “Now we also rely on tourism which is brought in through the markets and car boot sales so there’s always something going on.
“Once upon a time they used to disappear at winter but they now don’t as much. If you want shops to continue to open we need people to come visit here.. but if you don’t like the cold weather at winter don’t bother!”.
Local resident Stephen Grey, 65, has spent most of his life in Amble.
Although he worked as a plumber in London during his younger years, Stephen revealed: “I always had the intention of returning.
“My wife would pick me up from the railway station and the hit of the fresh crisp air, you could tell the difference straight away.”
He has remained in Amble ever since for family reasons and the peaceful lifestyle.
He explained: “I wouldn’t want to live in a city. It’s such a beautiful place. We almost take it for granted, especially walking along past Walkworth Castle when tourists are stopping to take photos. It’s a popular but quaint harbour and we’re now spoilt for choice on restaurants.”
Nevertheless, Stephen believes the town faces the threat of being transformed into holiday rentals, creating difficulties for locals attempting to purchase properties, and feels it requires greater investment after being overlooked by Northumberland County Council in recent years.
“We’re in the middle of Alnwick and Morpeth that have been favoured and filled with flowers whilst we’ve been left aside and neglected. The approach into town looks ugly and isn’t as maintained here.”
He reckons the town also requires additional sports and entertainment venues, given that Cramlington hosts the nearest cinema. Local fisherman, John Brown, praises Amble for its “offers such a lovely way of life.”
The 59 year old was taught the art of fishing by his grandfather at a young age and says “fishing is in my blood.”
He has been catching lobster, crab and trout over the summer, full-time since he left school at 16.
Despite retiring from the trade three years ago due to back problems, John has returned to his beloved profession. “I thoroughly enjoy being out on the boat. I’m old fashioned, it’s the simplistic way of life for me. I don’t do bank transfers or emails, but use pen and paper.
“I enjoy having a coffee with my mum looking out towards the view. There’s not one thing I would change. In summer, tell me a better place to be.”
John adds that Amble is “such a tight knit community. Everyone will stop and have a chit-chat, its friendly, there’s companionship.”
However, he admits that during the summer months, it’s easy to spot tourists as “they’ll have their heads down. In winter we get our Amble back but we’re tourists too when we travel to other places so I get it.”
Visitors Michael and Anne Clark, who hail from Derbyshire, have been frequenting Amble and the wider Northumberland Coast for over 15 years. They were staying at Dunstan Hill camping site, using it as “their base to go and explore from.”
Anne said: “We continue to come back and make this one of our stays as we can relate to the place, the people are pleasant in this area, there’s nice scenery and we walk down from the castle.”
Retired nurse Anne, 78, fondly recalls her childhood trips to the North East, sparked by her aunt’s marriage to a local. “We’d visit Newbiggin and Whitley Bay too. I like it here, it’s a relaxing place to be.”
Her husband, retired lorry driver Michael, 79, chimed in: “We love the fish and chips here! we always make an effort to visit, these are good!”.