The harbour walls were built by the Craster family to provide a safer landing for local cobles, traditional Northumbrian fishing boats.
Craster is world-renowned for its kippers, which are still produced using the original 19th-century smokehouse process.
The harbour is the starting point for the coastal walk to Dunstanburgh Castle, a 14th-century fortress ruined during the Wars of the Roses.
The village was historically a location for whinstone quarrying, and the harbour helped facilitate the export of the stone.
The local 'Craster Coble' design is a double-ended boat specifically evolved to handle the shallow, rocky coastal waters of the North East.
Craster Harbour is a historic man-made fishing port located on the Northumberland coast, constructed in the early 20th century to protect the local fleet. The harbour basin is protected by a concrete pier built by the Craster family, specifically Thomas Craster, to support the village's traditional kipper industry. It serves as the primary coastal gateway for the coastal path leading north to the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. The site remains a working harbour where local fishermen still land catches of lobster and crab. The surrounding village is famous for the Robson and Sons smokehouse, which has processed herring using traditional oak-smoke methods since 1856. Visitors can observe the tides affecting the water levels within the stone-walled basin. It is a focal point for maritime heritage in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
From the end of the concrete pier looking back toward the village smokehouse and the harbour basin.
Walk the coastal path north to Dunstanburgh Castle for sea views and birdwatching.
Check local tide tables as the harbour basin can look significantly different at low versus high tide.
Dress in wind-resistant layers, as the North Sea coast is frequently exposed to strong breezes.
Attempting to walk the cliff path to the castle in poor visibility or high-wind conditions.
Respect the working nature of the harbour by staying clear of active fishing equipment and machinery.
