Very much a traditional Northumbrian fishing village, Boulmer was once the haunt of smugglers. During the 18th and 19th centuries the village was the smuggling capital of Northumberland. Now however, this peaceful village consists of a row of cottages, one pub with a restaurant and a few fishing cobles. The name Boulmer, pronounced 'Boomer', is a derivation of Bulemer, from the old English bulan-mere (bulls mere). Boulmer has changed little in over 100 years and is one of the few true fishing villages left on the Northumberland Coast. The traditional blue fishing cobles have to be hauled ashore or moored in the water. The main catch is crabs, lobsters and sea salmon.