The beautiful little seaside resort that’s one of UK’s best fishing villages | UK | Travel
A beautiful fishing village is known for shipping its signature kippers all over the country, and was this year named one of the quirkiest in the UK.
Craster in Northumberland is best known for its fishing, producing massive catches of coalfish, flounder, cod and even the occasional conger eel.
Two short piers surround the inner harbour, providing anglers with excellent fishing platforms.
Fish used to be attracted to the area from all around due to the local kipper-smoking factory regularly dumping a great deal of waste material into the harbour – although more recently this practice has stopped.
Dubbing Craster one of the quirkiest towns in the country, the Times wrote: “A sturdy harbour, a gaunt castle and salted sea air fragranced with kippers — it must be Craster.
“Back in the 19th century this fishing village was jammed with herring boats, and fishermen’s wives were kept busy gutting and kippering.”
The village is in the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and there is a lovely grassy shoreline to the north.
This stretch eventually reaches the craggy ruin of Dunstanburgh Castle, built in 1313.
The town is a favourite spot for tourists, and its fishing is steeped in tradition.
Speaking to ChronicleLive, Graham Coxon, the owner of L Robson and Sons – the primary fishing company on the dock – said: “I have worked in Craster for over 20 years now and it is such a brilliant place.
“My family have been in business here for well over 100 years and everything we do in the smokehouses is done in a traditional way that honours their legacy.”
“The process is nothing too complicated, the fish are put into a salt water brine for around 30 minutes, and then they are transferred onto the hooks on which they will hang in the smokehouse for 16 plus hours, depending on the type of fish”, he added.
Other tourists in the area recommended trying out the oak-smoked kippers of L Robson and Sons, which also offer an online shop.
The town also boasts a beautiful pub and a fast food cabin where locals are known to occasionally crack out the bagpipes.