A Hidden Village Gem

Who would have thought that a successful London based TV producer could possibly move 300 miles north to a hidden village gem on the Northumberland Coast and continue to win TV commissions?

Well that’s just what happened to Media couple Marrisse and Bob Whittaker who own Factual Programme indie Orion TV, when they made a lifestyle move to the fabulous tiny seaside community of Alnmouth, nestling on the coast just south of the historic town of Alnwick.

Alnmouth is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and famous for its huge sandy bay, England’s oldest 9 hole golf course and also England’s most northern Franciscan Friary. The tiny village is blessed with four pubs, a village deli and post office and several restaurants and cafŽ’s serving fresh crab and lobster from the bay. Various festivals take place throughout the year including the Alnmouth Arts Festival each June when home owners open their doors to allow artists to display a vast and diverse selection of works in unique locations such as sitting rooms, porches, gardens and sheds.

The location is surrounded by ancient castles, (Warkworth, Dunstanburgh, Alnwick & Bamburgh) an unspoilt coastline and some of the darkest skies in the UK.

Thanks to the East Coast mainline, locals can easily pop over the border to lunch in Edinburgh or jump a train south to Newcastle or York. But those choosing to stay at home find that Hollywood often comes knocking, as the village and surrounding areas are regularly used as film and TV locations. Most recently the new blockbuster film Transformers: The Last Knight, starring Mark Wahlberg and Anthony Hopkins has been shooting locally as has the TV crime series Vera, starring Brenda Blethyn.

The couple set up home in a beautiful traditional five bedroom townhouse just a few steps from the water’s edge 10 years ago and from there have continued to produce shows for major broadcasters including Channel Four, BBC1, the History & Discovery Channels, as well as heaps of corporate video commissions.

The home is full of space and light, with a downstairs living space of over 30 feet leading to an outdoor entertaining area fantastic for celebrating the launch of the couple’s latest TV creation!