Craster
| Craster | |
| Northumberland | |
|---|---|
 Craster, with Dunstanbburgh behind | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NU255198 |
| Location: | 55°28’18"N, 1°35’45"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 305 (2011) |
| Post town: | Alnwick |
| Postcode: | NE66 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Northumberland |
Craster is a small fishing village on the North Sea coast of Northumberland. It has a small harbour and offers a view northwards along the rocky shore to the romantic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. This is the nearest point of access to the castle and the approach must be made on foot as there is just a grassy path. The next village to the north is Embleton.
For many years, the village has had a herring-curing business: Craster kippers are well known along the coast. The local herrings are smoked in a traditional manner by the Robson family.
The remains of a tower on the end of the harbour are all that can be seen now of the much taller building which was part of the overhead equipment which used to convey the local stone from where it was quarried to boats in the harbour. The disused quarry is now a car park. A small distance inland stands Craster Tower, the home of the Craster family who owned the quarry and had the harbour improved for its benefit. A memorial on the harbour wall commemorates a member of the Craster family who fell in action serving with the 46th Punjabis during 'the Thibetan Campaign' (the Younghusband Expedition in Tibet) in 1904. The development of the harbour serves as a memorial to their son and the memorial plaque bears the family motto: Hodie Felix Cras Ter.
The walk along the coast to the south passes by Cullernose Point, an example of the basaltic cliffs which are a significant feature of the local landscape. It is within the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
A mile to the west, Dunstan Hall is a mansion incorporating a mediæval peel tower, now used as holiday accommodation.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Craster) |
- Northumberland Communities: Caster
- Craster History told by the people themselves
- Memorial to John Charles Pullein Craster