Northumberland Coast

OVERVIEW

The Northumberland Coast Path is a relatively short trail that runs from Cresswell (slightly north of Ashington) - up along a very pretty and quiet stretch of coastline - till just shy of the Scottish Border near Berwick-upon-Tweed.

This path runs past historic sites such as Lindisfarne and Bamburgh, but is equally as well known for it's pretty fishing villages and long stretches of golden beaches.

This makes this section of coast path quite a good choice of trail for the winter months of the year - as you do not have eroding cliff edges to worry about - whilst also being an incredibly beautiful stretch to walk under the summer sun.

Here I have bundled together the whole stretch of the coast from Berwick-upon-Tweed down to the Tees Estuary at Hartlepool. This stretches beyond the core route of the Northumberland Coast Path, but the coast line has a fairly similar character along this longer stretch of coast.

The stages below add up to 119.5 miles of coastline walking (increasing to 125.4 miles with some short extensions to reach train stations). This amounts to just over six thousand feet of total ascent (with this being quite a flat stretch to walk along - and ideal for those new to long-distance walking).

PRACTICALITIES

Along the Northumberland Coast Path itself it is very easy to get to Berwick -upon-Tweed, and reasonably easy to get to Alnmouth (although the trains can be infrequent at time).

Otherwise there are buses that run up the coast, of which the best at the time of writing was the X18 which runs up the coast with useful stops at Amble, Alnmouth, Craster, Beadnell, Seahouses, Bamburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Much of the tourism of the area is centered around the holiday parks, but there are smaller hotels in the villages along the way - and the early morning walk out of Bamburgh was one of the highlights of the walk.

At the southern end a train runs up the coast from Seaton Carew to Hartlepool, Horden, Seaham and Sunderland - with the Newcastle Metro providing further access at South Shields, North Shields and Whitley Bay.

STAGES

Berwick-Upon-Tweed to Bamburgh (★★★★☆) - Northumberland Coast Path section

From Berwick-Upon-Tweed the route heads along Spittal Promenade and then continues along the cliffs. This starts a very straight section that eventually heads out across sand dunes and then past Cheswick Sands (some areas restricted to protect bird breeding sites).

From here the path eventually heads across wetlands on the edge of Holy Island Sands, and then crosses over the road to Lindisfarne - before continuing on as Holy Island Sands turns into Fenham Flats.

There is a route that in theory can be walked in summer continuing round along the coast, but I found this to be overgrown and fairly impassable. Alternatively, the route cuts inland and follows rounds round to Warren Mill, after which there is a short section of additional road walking - before heading round Budle Point to Bamburgh.

This section amounted to 22.7 miles of walking and about one thousand feet of ascent.

Bamburgh to Alnmouth (★★★★★) - Northumberland Coast Path section

This section heads out from Bamburgh - and the best route is to head past the castle to the beach, and then walk along the beach until you get round to Seahouses. From here it is a short walk (mostly along beaches) to Beadnell (which has a bus service, which also runs up through Seahouses and Bamburgh).

From Beadnell the path heads across the dunes past Beadnell Bay to Low Newton-by-the-Sea - after which it heads to Embleton Bay, where there is another nice section of beach walking that can be done.

From here you head past the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle to Craster - after which there is a run through small isolated beaches to the fishing village of Boulmer. After here the path cuts inland a bit, but you can then drop down onto the beach and head round to Alnmouth (tide permitting). 

This section included 21.7 miles of walking and just over one thousand feet of ascent.

Alnmouth to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea (★★★★☆) - Northumberland Coast Path section

From Alnmouth the path begins by heading out along a cycle trail that runs parallel to the A1068, before the coast path turns off to cut across the fields towards the coast.

The path then runs along the dunes and through a golf course (with the option of walking along the beach here), before cutting inland to cross the River Coquet into Warkworth. After passing Warkworth Castle the path follows the River Coquet to Amble.

From here the next section can mostly be walked on the beach, with about two hours of beach walking between Amble and Cresswell where the Northumberland Coast Path officially comes to a halt. Continuing along the coast, the path heads past Lynemouth Power Station to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. It is a one hour walk from Newbiggin-by-the-Sea to the train station at Ashington.

This section included 22.5 miles of walking - of which 19.3 miles were on the coast path - and about one thousand feet of ascent.

Newbiggin-by-the-Sea to Whitley Bay (★★★☆☆)

Here I once again cut up from Ashington to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and then head south along the coast before a short cut inland to cross the River Wansbeck. After this cut you arrive in Cambois and then walk alongside (or along) a beach to North Blyth (with the Port of Blyth visible in the distance).

There is then a forgettable four mile diversion inland past industrial parks and over road bridges that is not very enjoyable, but which gets you round to the Port of Blyth. From here there is another diversion through a park before arriving at South Beach.

From here there is a two mile walk along the beach to Seaton Sluice, which is part pretty fishing village and part more modern town. From here the path continues on round passing St Mary's Island and Lighthouse on the way to Whitley Bay.

This section totaled 19.1 miles - of which 16.4 miles were on the coast path - with less than a thousand feet of ascent. Generally it is a nice walk, but the diversion around Blyth spoils what would otherwise be a better walk.

Whitley Bay to Sunderland (★★★★☆)

From Whitley Bay the path heads down the coast past a series of beaches - of which the largest is Long Sands and at this beach I opted to head down and walk along the beach to reach Tynemouth (passing Tynemouth Castle on the way).

Here you find yourself at the mouth of the River Tyne - and next the path turns inland past the old lighthouse and Clifford Fort, before reaching North Shields ferry terminal (after a few minor diversions inland).

Here the ferry takes you across to South Shields - where the path heads along the nicely finished riverside, before heading up to see Arbeia Roman Fort.

The path then drops back down and round to the beach at South Shields. At the far end of the beach the path cuts up to the cliffs above Frenchman's Bay - and on past Marsden Bayto Lizard Point - where you can find Souter Lighthouse.

From here the path continues along the cliffs, before dropping down on the beaches on the way round to Roker (cutting up over Parson's Rocks on the way). From here the path heads through the Marina and round past the University to Wearmouth Bridge.

This section totals 15.5 miles of walking, with under a thousand feet of ascent.

Sunderland to Hartlepool (★★★★☆)

From Sunderland the coast path initially has to navigate round Sunderland Docks, but then drops down by the coast at Hendon. From here there is a nice stretch along the cliffs, but I would recommend that where possible you drop down on the beach as that is an incredible section of coastline to walk.

The path continues on round to Seaham (by beach or cliff), where it goes round the port and out to Nose's Point. From here there is a pretty clifftop walk round past Chourdon Point, Beacon Point and Horden Point, before you can drop down onto the beach near Horden and walk to Dene Mouth.

From Dene Mouth the path heads back up onto the cliff and continues from here along past holiday parks to Crimdon Park - and here you can walk the beach or dunes through to Hartlepool, where you reach the Headland.

From here there is a road following section round the docks to Hartlepool Marina - after which it is a short walk to the train station.

This section totals 23.9 miles of walking with under one and a half thousand feet of ascent.