Sanctuary Shores Newbiggin on Sea

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up to Sanctuary Shores – I mean, Newbiggin isn’t exactly on everyone’s must-visit list, you know? But this place completely caught me off guard in the best possible way. It’s tucked away in the Parkdean area near Woodhorn, which actually works out perfectly because you’re close enough to the beach but far enough from the main drag that you don’t get all the summer crowds trampling past your window at 7 AM.

The thing that gets me about this place is how they’ve managed to create something genuinely special without trying too hard. There’s no official star rating – they’re sort of doing their own thing – but honestly, that 9.7 rating makes total sense once you’re there. The owners clearly know what they’re doing, and you can tell they’ve thought about the little stuff that most places completely ignore. Like, the parking situation is actually sorted (miracle for this area), and when you check in, it feels more like you’re staying with friends who happen to have impeccable taste rather than some corporate hotel experience. The rooms have this understated elegance that doesn’t scream “boutique hotel” but somehow feels more luxurious because of it.

What really sold me was the location – you’re literally minutes from Newbiggin Bay, and if you time it right in the evening, the walk down to the beach is absolutely stunning. Most people don’t realize how gorgeous this stretch of Northumberland coast actually is, especially around sunset when the light hits those rock formations just right. Plus, being near Woodhorn means you’ve got the museum and country park right there if the weather turns (which, let’s be honest, it probably will at some point). The whole setup just works – you get that proper seaside feel without the tourist trap nonsense you find in some of the bigger coastal towns. I’d definitely go back, and I’m already thinking about dragging my sister here for a proper weekend away from Newcastle. Just don’t tell everyone about it, yeah? Some places are better when they stay a bit of a secret.