INTRODUCTION
Bamburgh, a Northumbrian coastal village a few miles south of Berwick was in early times capital of the kingdom of Northumbria. Now a community of a few hundred, it is still dominated by the massive castle, its Norman keep prominent on the rocky outcrop of the Great Whin Sill above the Northumberland coast. To the north lies the island of Lindisfarne, the 'Holy Island' associated with St. Aidan and the Venerable Bede, and offshore are the Farne Islands, sanctuary of St. Cuthbert and the breeding place of large colonies of sea-birds. Local heroine Grace Darling, the lighthouse keeper's daughter, celebrated for rescuing ship-wrecked passengers and crew, is buried and commemorated at the parish church of St. Aidan. There is a museum to commemorate the rescue.
Today Bamburgh is a pleasant village on a bus route serving Seahouses, Belford, Alnwick, Berwick and Newcastle. There is a playing field set beneath the castle where cricket and football matches are played. There are attractive walks around the castle and to nearby beaches. Bamburgh Parish Church of St. Aidan is open each day with services every Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. Holy Communion is also celebrated monthly at Armstrong House. There are Roman Catholic, United Reformed and Methodist Churches nearby. Three golf courses lie within a radius of three miles.
Among many activities in the village are an indoor Bowling Club, a Senior Citizens' Society, Women's Institute, Bird Club and a Conservation Society.
