After 30 minutes you will have reached the castle and could easily turn around and head back to complete a satisfying 1 hour walk. The walk begins at Bamburgh Links Road Car Park and heads across the undulating dunes to a magnificent beach. The Wannie Line Walk 6. 2023 Anywhere We Roam. Fifty-one easy-to-follow hand-crafted circular walks, routes & maps in Northumberland of all grades in Walk Grade Order, See these 51 walks in Northumberland on an interactive Google Map. They are all conveniently located on a 45-minute stretch of the A1 between Lindisfarne in the north and Warkworth Castle in the south. We have marked our recommended route on the map below, but as long as you stick near the coast, it doesnt matter if youre on the beach or up in the dunes. There are also a large number of other circular coastal walking routes that start at various points along our coastline including Alnmouth, Craster, Low Newton, Bamburgh and Holy Island. You'll find a small, sandy beach within the harbour with shingle beaches on either side. The walk conveniently ends by passing through the terrace at the Jolly Fisherman, so theres no going out of your way for a post-walk beer or a locally caught fish. 3 to 11 nights. My favorite castle in Northumberland, the place is massive, and loads of locals love coming here to take photographs and splash around on the beach. The Haltwhistle Walking Festival is held twice each year, in the spring and autumn. Get in touch This fortified town on the Northumberland coast has a host of bridges, a lighthouse, and lots of charming side streets. Summary: This is a lovely walk, part done on tracks, part on quiet country lanes and then along the best of coastline that Northumberland has to offer. Difficult Easy to Medium | Distance 11-kilometre return | Time 3 hours | Start Craster Quarry End Car Park | Directions Anti-clockwise on our Craster & Howick Hall Walk. This lovely short circular walk not only explores some fine coastline but also visits the charming village of Alnmouth. . Surely one of Englands best-kept secrets, Northumberlands coastline is ribboned with long sandy beaches, castle ruins and quaint fishing settlements offering enticing seafood and cosy tearooms Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland (Shutterstock). Quench your thirst in The Village Tearooms or The Schooner on Northumberland Street, explore the beach and estuary, then hop on a bus back to Warkworth. If you are exploring the Northumberland Coast without a car, we recommend staying in Alnwick which has convenient buses to the nearby villages and a great walk right from the centre of town. North East Craster to Low Newton coastal walk Enjoy magnificent views and miles of sandy bay on this circular coastal walk. Scots Gap to Rothbury 12. Morpeth is one of the biggest towns in Northumberland, so its a good place to use as a base if you like a bit more action and excitement. Head to the stunning, sandy beach for family strolls, share a picnic in the sand dunes or have a go at a new water sport, before popping into Low Newton by the Sea for a drink (5 miles). takes you to Housesteads Roman Fort, then along the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hadrian's Wall and to the National Trust-protected Sycamore Gap. They rise up to defend their nests - sharp, red beaks aimed at ramblers heads. Embark from the fishing village of Craster, pass by the mighty ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle and the long sweep of Embleton Sands, before reaching Low Newton by the Sea. A great big grassy section, with an unobstructed view to the reservoir, and the . A charming pub in the village of Newton by the Sea, the food is excellent, and its well located near magnificent beaches and Dunstanburgh Castle. Check the tides before driving across: the road to Holy Island is submerged twice a day. Mark Warrick "A wonderful holiday with a varied itinerary that included history, spectacular scenery and sunny beaches. Map: OS Explorer map 332; start: Whin Hill, Craster, grid reference: NU258198; 6 miles; difficulty: easy walk on flat paths that are mostly well marked; Howick Hall tea room, and . Growing up, I spent time exploring beaches, towns, castles, animal parks, aquariums, and, complete guide to the Northumberland Coast Path, the most beautiful places in Northumberland, 9 Best Ouseburn Coffee Shops to Fuel Your Caffeine Craze, 10 Best Luxury Cottages in Northumberland, 17 Best Christmas Markets in North East England, 13 Best Zoos, Animal Farms, and Aquariums near Newcastle. ORDER WITHIN 00H 00M 00S FOR SAME-DAY DISPATCH. Start from the coastal village of Craster, with its sheltered harbour and fishing cottages. The entire Northumberland Coastal Path takes between 3 to 6 days to complete. A charming church and a fine stone bridge sit amongst the cherry blossoms which are in full bloom in May. And of course like almost all of our hikes they involve pitstops in grand old pubs or cool cafes. Theres also a small admission charge for the visitor centre and museum. A self-guided walking holiday along the coast of Northumberland, visiting the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Seasonal highlights This is like Northumberlands version of the Camino De Santiago. Take time to explore this Norman stronghold and family home, packed with historic heirlooms. 51 easy-to-follow circular walks in Northumberland Fifty-one easy-to-follow hand-crafted circular walks, routes & maps in Northumberland of all grades in Walk Grade Order See this list of walks, routes & maps in: Grade Order | Length Order | Time Order | Walk Number or Start Location Order NB. The Causeway to Lindisfarne Island is tidal and is impassable at high tide. One of the most obscure entries on this list, the Wannie Line Walk is one of my favorites in Northumberland, and its a great pick if you want something largely-unknown but relatively easy. Hareshaw Linn 10. You wander through woods and along the river to a massive castle before reaching Bothal and crossing the river over some stepping stones. This countryside walks offers a peaceful exploration of the history of the area with the ruins of Etal Castle. Finally, the path brings you to Lindisfarne village where you will find the ancient, ruined priory and the more recently constructed church. Upon returning into town, stop in at the Grace Darling Museum and the churchyard in which she rests. Good budget self-catering apartments right in the centre of Alnwick from where buses leave to all over the Northumberland Coast. Pause to explore the English Heritage monument and rest up at a picnic table with a rucksack snack - or one from the shop. I was born and raised in the lovely little region. Admire the stained glass windows and carved wood before braving the birds outside. Tackling the entirety of the Hadrians Wall walk is a brilliant challenge, but if you just want a little snippet of its best stretch, the Sycamore Gap walk is great (and surprisingly accessible). Another gentle wander for hikers with kids, or anyone else who cant be bothered for a long walk, Hareshaw Linn is a lovely waterfall near the equally-lovely small town of Bellingham. The ancient market town of Wooler, gateway to the Cheviots is a short walk away. 1. Take an easy, circular walk between the two charming villages of Ford and Etal. Heres the one you were all expecting to see. The high street is a blast of old England with a lovely church, a quaint old post office and a couple of good pubs. Craster to Seahouses has lots of coastal scenes, towns and villages, Sycamore Gap is packed with history and great views, and the Cheviots are really remote and rural. We also have guides on lots of other UK hikes, including the best hikes in Scotland and the Coast to Coast trail. Riverside is an excellent base for exploring the Northumberland National Park, home to a wealth of scenic and historic attractions, an ideal opportunity to explore countryside and coast with circular footpaths and challenging long distance trails. This Northumberland coastal walk has it all: woodland, historic gardens, beautiful beaches and a stop for afternoon tea! Enjoy views of cream-washed cottages, coastal grasslands and magnificent views of the imposing Dunstanburgh Castle on the shore, plus the sweep of Embleton Bay as you walk north. A carefully cut path meanders around nesting birds allowing you can get up close to razorbills, puffins, shags, guillemots, and a whole host more. B. Hewison @ www.westacrehouse.co.uk, Alnwick. Its all pretty flat and easy to follow, but in the three times Ive done this walk, Ive genuinely never seen anyone else (well, apart from the people I was walking with). Parking: Howick Hall Car Park, Hall Lodge Gates, Alnwick NE66 3LB Duration: 2 hours 4 minutes The route: This Northumberland circular coastal walk starts by winding through the impressive 17 th century Howick Hall estate before following the course of Howick Burn.You'll reach the coastal path, where you'll be surrounded by scenic sea views on your way . Read "Walking in Northumberland 36 walks throughout the county - coast, Cheviots, Hadrian's Wall and Pennines" by Vivienne Crow available from Rakuten Kobo. Continue eastwards to Emmanuel Head. Look out for traces of Wallington's industrial past along the Wansbeck river bank and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife - red squirrels, otters and white-clawed crayfish all call the Wansbeck valley home." If possible, please walk along the right side of the . Once over the viaduct, take the next road on the right, then just on the corner, you will see the gate leading you onto the trail. The views back to Bamburgh Castle and forward to the feature castle of Dunstanburgh are sufficient in themselves but there is more for there are lots of interesting rock features & even in the first part of the coastline some sandy beaches if . This walk isnt the most secluded or obscure in the world, but its beautiful, accessible, popular and easy to navigate. Here are some more outdoor adventures from us in Britain. Booking your trip via the links on this page (or on our book page) will earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Park up in Steel Rigg car park, walk past Sycamore Gap (probably one of the most-photographed trees in the world), Crag Lough lake and some of the ridges that meander between the two, then double-back on yourself when you reach a lonely farm. From here the path continues south, past the puffin colony - a great chance to get close to these charming and comical birds. The round-trip walk is only 3 miles (4.8km), and its the same way in and out, following a simple, straightforward footpath. Finish your walk at the 16th century, National Trust-owned castle, then relax in the Ship Inn or one of the village coffee shops. We have included all our Northumberland Coastal Walks on the below map, however, each of the specific route instructions are on the maps linked under each walk. . Bamburgh Castle circular walk via Budle Bay - one of the best short Northumberland Walks The majestic Bamburgh Castle - you'll get the best views of Bamburgh Castle on this walk, which is one of the best short walks in the whole of Northumberland in my humble opinion Bamburgh Castle walk details: Bambugh Castle Walk Distance: 3.43 miles Alnmouth Circular. Bring a hat! But if you have lots of time, consider a long-distance jaunt theyre the best way to get a proper feel for all of Northumberlands beauty and nuance. Some village to village walks you could take on along the coast include: Bamburgh to Budle Craster to Seahouses Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle Cresswell to Amble Low Newton-by-the-Sea to Dunstanburgh Castle Explore our cottages in these coastal Northumberland areas: Take time to wander the streets of elegant red-roofed townhouses and brightly painted frontages lining the estuary road. In the breeding season, the pathway is lined with the nests of Arctic terns. On reaching the golf club, continue along the grassy path skirting Budle Bay. All walks are free to download and print and all routes have GPS files. Alternately, skip the gardens and go around them via the road (the purple path on the map). Watch out for some of its present day occupants, too: grey seals and migratory birds. The River Coquet is a lazy winding stream as it heads to the coast. There is a boardwalk that spans 500 metres across peat and reedbeds along this circular Northumberland walk - a great spot to see wildlife. Want to know anything else about traveling in Northumberland? Bamburgh Castle to the wilds of Budle Bay Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland (Shutterstock) This is a popular trail for hiking, running, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Turn right to follow the Hauxley Links path southward between lake and coast. To close this message click anywhere outside this window. Sweeping golden beaches, windswept grassy dunes, and crumbling castles perched on rocky headlands. Travelness is reader-supported: When you buy through our links we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Elsdon Burn The Elsdon Burn trail is a beautiful river walk that is popular with families. But the walk between the two of them is even better it takes you past Dunstanburgh Castle (one of the biggest castles in Northumberland), along excellent secluded beaches and through some tiny towns and villages. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 27 min to complete. Sign up for our newsletter today Now this isnt really an official walk, but if you take an OS Map and do some riffing, youll be able to find your way. Sycamore Gap 5. Harthope Burn Valley - Hawsen Burn Parking Area - New Burn - Scald Hill - The Cheviot - Cairn Hill (Scotsmans Cairn) - Harthope Burn - Comb Fell - Hedgehope Hill - Long Crags - Housey Crags - Hawsen Burn Parking Area. so in this guide, Ive put my proud, I was born in Newcastle, so I spent all of my smiley-faced childhood roving around the place. 04 Nov 2022. Turn right and join the pathway that runs parallel to the A1068, bearing east with the path as it veers away from the trunk road. One of the most famous long-distance walks in the UK, its also one of the best, easiest and most varied, offering coasts, hills, towns, villages, farmland, and some of the most historically-significant sites in all of the UK. Returns to Alnmouth from London with East Coast Trains (08457 225225, eastcoast.co.uk ) cost from 25. Boat tours out to the island last two to three hours visiting seal colonies and bird ladened cliffs before landing on the shore for one hour allowing you to stroll around. Best Coastal Dog Walks in Northumberland You'll Always Remember 1 . Hawkhope Car Park - Starsley Burn - Falstone Mine - Flastone Forest - Belling Burn - Goodwell Syke - Soney Gap - Plashetts Incline Jetty - Kielder Water - Benny Shanks Jetty - Pot Burn - Cock Soor - Whinny Hill - Belling Burn - The Belling - Bastle - Kielder Water Dam - Hawkhope Car Park, Walk n196 Ring Chesters, Eccles Cairn and Trowupburn from Hethpool, Superb Northumberland views and ancient forts, Hethpool - The St Cuthbert's Way - White Hill (Hethpool) - East Laddie's Knowe - Laddie's Knowe or Betsy's Cairn - Black Bog (Haddon Hill) - Haddon Hill - Ring Chesters - Sheepfold - Eccles Cairn - England / Scotland Border - The Pennine Way - Tuppie's Grave - The Tongue - Maddie's Well - Madam Law - Wideopen Head - Trowup Burn - Trowupburn - College Valley - College Burn - Hethpool, Superb High Level Northumberland Mountain Walk, Hethpool - The St Cuthbert's Way - Elsdon Burn - Elsdonburn Farm - Shank's Sike - Scaldhill Shank - Tom's Knowe - Tuppie's Sike - Eccles Cairn - England / Scotland Border - The Pennine Way - White Law - Steel Rig - Black Hag (Hethpool) - The Schil - Birnie Brae - Red Cribs - Mounthooly - Fleehope - Whitehall - College Valley - Hethpool, Wooler - The St Cuthbert's Way - Waud House - Kenterdale Hill - Wooler Common - Carey Burn - Broadstruthers Burn - Commonburn House - Wackerage Cairn - Tom Tallon's Crag - The St Cuthbert's Way - Gleadscleugh - Akeld Burn - Humbleton - Gallowlaw - Wooler, Walk n216 Happy Valley from Careyburn Bridge, Extensive views followed by a river side stroll, Careyburn Bridge - Carey Burn - Harthope Burn - Middleton Old Town - North Middleton - Colgate Mill - Colgate Water (Low Level Route) - Happy Valley - Broom Crook Plantation - Grimping Haugh - Skirl Naked - Careyburn Bridge, See/ShowPassword The starting point for this seven-mile hike is the charming settlement of Warkworth with its prominent castle ruins and streets tucked into a loop of the River Coquet. This walk takes you along both sides of the river that run through the valley, so most of your walk is flat, meaning you dont have to tackle any tricky peaks. Remember to take your binoculars on your coastal walks in Northumberland. x.type = 'password'; Along the hike, you can still see milecastles, fragments of wall and ancient Roman forts. Don't forget the all-important pit stop at The Ship Inn for a Ploughmans or toasted sandwich and a pint along the way. Stop for tea (or something stronger) at the Victoria Hotel, or the modest Castle Inn. Drop down to the beach below the castle and walk in the direction of Bamburgh Lighthouse, before climbing up to The Wynding, a quiet, cul-de-sac coastal road. Difficulty Easy | Distance 4 kilometres | Time 1 hour 10 minutes | Start Warkworth Castle Car Park | Directions Clockwise on our Warkworth Walk Map. Sunday 12th March - Mystery Walk - 6 miles - Easy . The path curves round to Castle Point Lime Kilns and on to the castle. Or Im sure you get the idea. The Northumberland Coastal Path meanders past windswept beaches, rocky headlands and dramatic ruins steeped in history. England Coast Path - Cambois to Blyth Promenade ( Download : PDF ) Walker 6.04 mi +26 ft -33 ft 2h50 Easy Its a delightful, often under-visited seaside region in the country with a host of wonderful experiences, where real villages revolve around the schedule of the fishing trade and pubs serve locally brewed ales. Tel. What more could you want? } Today, the remnants of this ancient life provide intriguing focal points on a lovely Northumberland coastal walk. Visit Embleton (5 miles) for the circular walk to Dunstanburgh Castle or a round of golf. From here, head south along the coast, with views to the Farne Islands, Bamburgh Castle, and the Cheviot Hills. Start at the Holy Island Chare Ends Car Park and head across the island to the northern coast. When youve finished your walk, Bellingham is a nice little place for a wander and some food and all that. Find Out More. But if you dont have that sort of time, its entirely possible to complete some of the best sections on shorter day walks. Please note, this 5km walk is only possible for wheelchair users who use an all terrain wheelchair that is suitable for the beach. The path then turns north where it meets the B1338. The chapeldoubles as a place of worship and visitor centre, where modern-day pilgrims can take sanctuary from the attacking terns. It takes you through College Valley, other remote parts of the Cheviots, and some of the least-explored parts of Northumberland. Come in spring when the shoreline meadows are bright with wildflowers and the skies are filled with birdsong. Walk over ruddy-gold sands, across babbling coastal rivers and through wind-shaped dunes to the dramatic ruins of a 14th-century castle - welcome to Embleton Bay, one of Britain's most beautiful beaches. The Northumberland coast offers some of the finest coastal walking in Europe. Upper Coquetdale is the most underrated hiking region in Northumberland. Discover beaches, iconic beach huts, a deer park and tree-framed sands. Beginning at the National Trust Coastal Centre on the craggy heights of Ravenscar, this 11-mile circular walk traverses some of the finest coast and countryside of the North York Moors National Park. Now get your boots on, make some sandwiches and go and do one. Stuck out into the River Aln estuary its a mix of grand old houses peeking over dunes, coloured facades shimmering in the sun and fishing boats idling in the natural harbour. If youre lucky, you might even see badgers and red squirrels. Craster and Howick - 7km/4 mile trail from Craster to Howick Hall, retunring by the Bathing House and Cullernose Point Later in this guide Ive unpacked the whole Hadrians Wall walk, but if youre just looking for a short jaunt along the best bit of Hadrians Wall, this is it. The Northumberland Coast Path follows this stunningly beautiful coastline for 100 kilometres (62 Miles) from Cresswell in the south to Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north. A fast train service operates along the east coast with 15 services per day. Rothbury 4. Taking in some of the most scenic spots of the Northumberland Coastal path such as Dunstanburgh Castle, Embleton Beach, Low Newton and Beadnell Bay. From here, it follows the Northumberland Coastal Path over the cliff tops around Budle Bay, before tracking back across a golf course and along the road into Bamburgh village. Paul is a handsome and hilarious travel writer and travel journalist from the UK. For this article, Ive had a big old brainstorm of all the Northumberland hikes Ive ever been on, and Ive compiled all of my favorites. The Northumberland Coast Path is known as the easiest long-distance walk in Northumberland. This walk begins in the seaside town of Seahouses and starts off along a tarmac coastal path which passes through the sand dunes, avoiding the cliffs and rock pools. Detour to the Lighthouse Cliff Viewpoint, where the seacliffs are at their highest and admire the views to Dunstanburgh Castle on the mainland. The Jolly Fisherman in Craster has an excellent terrace overlooking the sea. Upper Coquetdale is mainly made up of undulating hills, heather-clad ridges, endless farmland, tiny settlements, millions of sheep and big long stretches of basically nothing. One of the most rural parts of the nation, there are lots of lovely holiday cottages in, I love cycling, and Ive lived in various parts of London during many periods of my life. But if you want to do a wooded walk in Northumberland, youll love Thrunton Woods. If you found this guide useful, buying us a coffee will help fuel our next adventure. Ravenscar to Robin Hood's Bay. Mark Reid's The Inn Way to Northumberland is published by InnWay Publications, 8:95. 7 Best Walks On The Northumberland Coastal Path | Anywhere We Roam. Similar to St. Oswalds Way, St. Cuthberts Way is another pilgrimage route, and it also ends in Lindisfarne. I dont normally like wooded walks, cos I think theyre a bit boring. Some of the best bits include Seahouses, Craster, Bamburgh Castle and Dunstanburgh Castle, all of which Ive already mentioned in this article. Recharge your batteries at the cafe, then climb the 137 steps for superb views of the north east coast. Seahouses is a great place to finish your walk, as it has lots of fun things to do, plenty of conveniences, and loads of places to eat and drink. Because of its distance, its still a hefty challenge, but its flat, easy to follow, and there are loads of nice towns and villages to eat, drink and rest along the way. Wedged into one of its u-shaped loops, high up on the hill, is Warkworth Castle. They brew three types of ales, the Indian Summer, Newton Gold and Squid Ink. A circular walk around the Northumberland village of Craster, visiting the Arnold NWT Nature Reserve and the interesting cliff formations at Cullernose Point on the coast. Newton Pool. I will be adding more information about these routes shortly. This wonderful county is filled with protected landscapes and vibrant habitats with trails winding through forests, valleys and past historic castles. Turn left to walk on the grassy verge, then pavement back into town. Read Next Where to stay in Northumberland, Difficult Easy | Distance 4.5 kilometres | Time 1 hour 20 minutes | Start Alnmouth Beach Car Park | Directions Anti-clockwise on our Alnmouth Walk Map. Apparently the stone has some sort of healing properties or something, but thats probably not true is it. Alnmouth Circular. And if they can run it, you can walk it, you lazy little boy (or girl). A delightful walk in forest & by lake shore. You can take a quick optional detour on a (rather pricey) ferry to explore a hermitage (cave in the wall), before continuing along the riverside path. The River Coquet is a beautiful winding river with excellent views up the castle and the perfect spot for a bit of stand-up paddleboarding. This is probably my favourite section of the walk around the Ladybower Reservoir. On this diverse trek, you pass through low-level forests, flat moors, rocky crags, hidden caves, excellent viewpoints and much more. Take the boat to Inner Farne from Seahouses and climb the path from the jetty towards St Cuthberts Chapel, a sanctuary for the Anglo-Saxon hermit. Built in 1550, its set on a tiny rock rising above sheep-strewn fields. The Jurassic Coast section of the South West Coast Path offers a rewarding mix of varied walking, incredible scenery, fascinating geological and historical sights, bustling coast towns, and peaceful villages. This is the view from the layby parking. Both festivals have week-long programmes of walks to suit all levels, from the gentle stroll along scenic footpaths to the arduous trek across the wilder parts of Northumberland.. All walks are accompanied by trained and experienced guides. Bring a picnic, settle down on the cliff edge and watch the stubby-winged puffins fly in with beaks full of fish. If youre looking for a heftier challenge, youll love these walks most entries in this section of our list are multi-day adventures brimming with challenges, adventure and variety. Take a stroll through the woods, past ponds and through the walled garden on the popular circular river walk.