Northumberland Coast Path classic self-guided walking holiday with 6 nights and luggage transfer
The Northumberland Coast Path is a route of 62 miles (100km) that on the whole hugs this dramatic coastline with its mixture of extensive, sandy beaches flanked by dunes, cliff edges and islands perched offshore. This coastal landscape was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1958. The trail runs from the pretty village of Cresswell at the southern end of Druridge Bay in the south, not far from the historic village of Warkworth, to Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north. In between the path encompasses the fishing towns of Alnmouth, Craster and Seahouses, Dunstandburgh Castle and Bamburgh Castle, and nature reserves at Newton Pool and Beadnell Bay. The route has a Grade 2 difficulty, which is moderate, and follows mostly the coast on good, flat paths and bridleways with beaches, minor roads, tracks and permissive paths in some places. There are very few steep climbs and most stiles along the way have been replaced with gates. Some places can be muddy after heavy rain. You stay in traditional accommodation along the way, such as pubs and guest houses, always with en-suite accommodation.
Highlights
Warkworth • Cresswell • Alnmouth • Craster • Dunstanburgh Castle • Newton Pool nature reserve • Beadnell Bay • Seahouses • Bamburgh Castle • Views of Lindisfarne • St Cuthbert’s Cave • Goswick Sands • Berwick-upon-Tweed
Walking information
Range of 7 to 13 miles/11 to 21 kms per walking day • Maximum about 6.5 hrs’ daily walking • Grade 2 - Moderate • Footpaths, bridleways, beaches, permissive paths and some minor roads • Recommended March to November
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room for 6 nights.
From about
£639
Holiday Code CW008
Additional nights can be added before, after or during the tour.
Call us on 01392 441266
Northumberland Coast Path classic self-guided walking holiday with 6 nights and luggage transfer
Your first night is in Warkworth, reached by car or by train to Alnmouth, which is about four miles away. The village of Warkworth, on a loop in the river Coquet, is about half a mile from the coast and is best known for its mediaeval castle, once owned by the Percy family, the parish Church of St Lawrence and mediaeval hermitage. Allow time to check your kit, pack your rucksack and study your guides and maps.
You will be picked up from Warkworth and taken up to Cresswell to start your walk. This superb section follows the eight miles of sandy bay of Druridge Bay and its string of nature reserves.
Your walk will take you through the fishing port of Amble, along the Coquet Estuary and back to the historic village of Warkworth where you stay for a second night. There is a considerable amount of beach walking and the rest is on good paths.
Distance: About 10 miles (17 kms)
Time: About 5 hrs
Today’s walk sees some of Northumberland’s most spectacular beaches and coastline. You leave Warkworth this morning crossing the mediaeval bridge and then following the path through dunes and coastal grasslands to the Aln estuary. Just before Alnmouth you pass Buston Links, a birding site where, depending on the season you might see Dusky Warbler, Brown Strike or Desert Wheater. The picturesque fishing village of Alnmouth greets you with its gaily painted houses that stretch along the north bank of the River Aln. On the coast here are miles of golden sand beaches. Your route continues along the coast passing through the traditional fishing village of Boulmer, whose houses and cottages face the sea, and which had a reputation in the 18th and 19th centuries for smuggling. Passing the coves around Sugar Sands, you reach Craster, famous for its kippers and as the access point to Dunstanburgh Castle. The village has a ‘foodie’ reputation and you stay here or nearby tonight.
Distance: About 13 miles (21 kms)
Time: About 6.5 hrs
Today you walk from Craster along to Seahouses, following the route along the rocky cliffs towards Dunstanburgh Castle, its ruins standing as a silhouette against the sky. The castle dates from the 14th century but was built on the site of an Iron Age Fort and was the focus of fierce fighting during the Wars of the Roses. North of Dunstanburgh Castle, the cliffs and beach at Newton and Newton Pool are the habitat of interesting birdlife. Newton-by-the-Sea has a lovely sandy beach popular for windsurfing and has fine views across Embleton Bay, back to Dunstanburgh Castle. At the heart of the village is the ‘square’ where low, cream-washed buildings that were fishermen’s cottages surround a large, grassy square with a pub in the corner. As you head north you pass Long Nanny Brun in the middle of Beadnell Bay, and a breeding colony of terns (five thousand pairs of nesting Arctic terns make this their home each summer). After a glorious day of fine coastal walks and interesting sights, you reach Seahouses, a fishing port and town created in 1889 to improve the local fishing and lime industries. Seahouses is also the gateway to the Farne Islands, one of Europe’s most important bird sanctuaries and home to more than 20 different species, including puffins and terns.
Distance: About 10 miles (16 kms)
Time: About 5 hours
After a hearty breakfast you will be ready for another great section along the Northumberland coast. This time from Seahouses to Belford. This section offers fantastic views of the Farne Islands, Bamburgh Casle and Budle Bay. One of the highlights is the vision of Bamburgh Castle rising above the coast with its dunes and sandy beach but Bamburgh village is charming and attractive, with several places to eat, dominated as it is by the castle. Bamburgh Castle has stood guard above the Northumberland coastline for over 1,400 years and spans nine acres of land on a rocky plateau. The site has been occupied continually for thousands of years and enjoys many legends and myths. You will pass a wide range of habitats along the way including farmland, grassland and woodland before reaching Belford, with the expanse of Budle Bay in the distance, where you will spend the night.
Distance: About 10 miles (17 kms)
Time: About 5 hours
Today is the shortest day's walking and is the inland section of the coast path, however it offers magnificent views of Holy Island, Bamburgh and the Farne Islands. You will make a short detour to St Cuthbert's Cave and this section involves a couple of steady climbs on good paths. Upon reaching Fenwick you will have just a short walk to your accommodation. From here, just across the bay, is Lindisfarne and Holy Island.
Distance: About 6 miles (11 kms)
Time: About 3 hours
For your final day’s walking you follow the coastal path along the wide, open flats of Fenham, Holy Island and Goswick Sands. Then the scenery changes completely after Cocklawburn, as the flat dunes give way to more height and cliffs, and you walk along the cliff top path before dropping into the historic town of Berwick upon Tweed. Berwick is a market town with interesting architecture and a thriving arts scene. It changed hands between the Scots and the English 13 times and has a distinctive Royal Border railway bridge, designed by Robert Stephenson. It’s a short walk to the railway station at Berwick upon Tweed, or if you have left your car in Warkworth, you can be transferred back to collect it. Alternatively, ask us to arrange an extra night’s accommodation in Berwick at a supplement.
Distance: About 12 miles (19 kms)
Time: About 6 hours
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room for 6 nights.
From about
£639
Holiday Code CW008
Additional nights can be added before, after or during the tour.
Our prices include
● Accommodation in a double or twin room on bed and breakfast
● Luggage transfer between hotels
● Transfer from Warkworth to Cresswell
● Transfer from Berwick to Warkworth if required
● Route map and walking notes
Call us on 01392 441266
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room for 6 nights.
From about
£639
Holiday Code CW008
Additional nights can be added before, after or during the tour.
Our prices include
• Accommodation in a double or twin room on bed and breakfast
• Luggage transfer between hotels
• Transfer from Warkworth to Cresswell
• Transfer from Berwick to Warkworth if required
• Route map and walking notes
The journey and how you get there
You need transport to Warkworth to start the tour and if you arrive by car, you can leave it there and be transferred back at the end. If you come by train, the nearest station is four miles away in Alnmouth.
To start the walk you are transferred from Warkworth to Cresswell by car.
Call us on 01392 441266
Northumberland Coast Path classic self-guided walking holiday with 6 nights and luggage transfer
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room for 6 nights.
From about
£639
Holiday Code CW008
Additional nights can be added before, after or during the tour.
Our prices include
• Accommodation in a double or twin room on bed and breakfast
• Luggage transfer between hotels
• Transfer from Warkworth to Cresswell
• Transfer from Berwick to Warkworth if required
• Route map and walking notes
The journey and how you get there
You need transport to Warkworth to start the tour and if you arrive by car, you can leave it there and be transferred back at the end. If you come by train, the nearest station is four miles away in Alnmouth.
To start the walk you are transferred from Warkworth to Cresswell by car.
Call us on 01392 441266
Northumberland Coast Path classic self-guided walking holiday with 6 nights and luggage transfer
About Great Britain
The countries of Great Britain, England, Scotland and Wales, provide a wealth of beautiful and interesting walking terrain. Within a relatively small area there is a richness of diversity of geography and topography, peoples and dialects, local architecture and traditions and a rich history that has been world-facing and world-interacting for thousands of years. The landscape of this small island varies every few miles, with dales and vales, moors and coastline never far away and here and there you find proud post-industrial cities, flourishing cathedral cities, gentle market towns and picturesque villages, perhaps with a village green, pond, cricket pitch and ancient church, as well as the local pub. Traditions of local heritage feature strongly with festivals and pageants, local arts and crafts and artisan produce. There are many National Parks and designated walking paths. There are recognised coast to coast walks such as the Two Moors Way from the English Channel to the Atlantic Ocean, or the Coast to Coast walk in northern England; there are walks that cover historic landmarks such as Hadrian’s Wall; there are walks that introduce the rambler to the awe-inspiring natural landscape of lakes and mountains such as the West Highland Way; there are walks that hug the dramatic coastline of Great Britain such as the South West Coastal Path or the Northumberland Coast Path. Ordnance Survey maps provide support from not just contours and terrain but historic and noteworthy points of interest too. Within many walks of just a few miles, the rambler will experience a delightful variety of terrain, aspect and vegetation.
Facts in brief
Capital LondonAirport London Heathrow, London Gatwick
Size 209,331 sq km
Population 64.55 million
