Day 1 - Wednesday 30 October 2024
Ellington to Warkworth (13.2 miles)
From our base in Belford we drove to Warkworth and caught the bus to Ellington. From here it is approximately a mile and a half to the official start point in Cresswell. We could have hung about for an hour or so to catch a bus down to the start but decided to just crack on - besides, it would build our appetite up for breakfast as we knew there was a cafe in Cresswell.
A pre walk photo at the start in Ellington - the two of us with Fudge's favourite toy duck, complete with Spaniel Aid bandana that our boy always wore on his long distance walks. Today was also the 45th Anniversary of the day I joined the Royal Navy - 30 October 1979.
Arriving in Cresswell
Entering Cresswell, the route passes the main entrance of Golden Sands Holiday Park
Two oinkers and a big bird guard the entrance to North Lodge
St Bartholemew's Church, Cresswell. The building is the parish church for the villages of Cresswell and Ellington. It is a Grade II listed stone church and was built in 1836 by the Baker Cresswell family.
A few yards from the main road is the Cresswell Pele Tower
A Pele Tower is basically a mini castle and this one was built in the 14th Century as a defence against the Border Reivers who were raiders and robbers from either side of the Scottish Border. By about 1580 the threat from the Border Reivers had receded and the tower was put to other uses and the current tower now survives as a folly which is defined as an ornamental building with no practical purpose.
A Pele Tower is basically a mini castle and this one was built in the 14th Century as a defence against the Border Reivers who were raiders and robbers from either side of the Scottish Border. By about 1580 the threat from the Border Reivers had receded and the tower was put to other uses and the current tower now survives as a folly which is defined as an ornamental building with no practical purpose.
The understated start of the Northumberland Coast Path is at the northern end of the village adjacent to Cresswell Ices Car Park
The Northumberland Coast Path waymark symbol which we would follow for the majority of the next 70 or so miles
Angie waves from the entrance of The Drift Cafe which is a couple of hundred yards along the road from the village. We had heard a lot about this cafe therefore planned our day to start with suitable sustenance from its breakfast menu.
With Brown Sauce blobbed on I readied myself to demolish this Bacon, Egg & Sausage sandwich - it was delicious
Leaving The Drift Cafe we made our way to the beach and bumped into a Fudge lookalike - this was Izzy and she was gorgeous
The route heads out to the beach
Dropping down on to Blakemoor Links, the walk crosses the outflow of the Blakemoor Burn
Looking back to Cresswell - looks like we are going to be in for a good weather day
Blakemoor Links (Click Play to view)
We had been lucky with the tides - the beach would be fine to walk on for the entire length of the route
Another walk selfie
The many paw prints along the beach reminded us that Fudge used to love messing around on the sand and in the sea
A reminder of our little chap and who this walk is dedicated to
Heading along Druridge Bay
The sea rolling in at Druridge Bay (Click Play to view)
A set of steps gives access to the entrance to Druridge Bay Country Park
In the 19th century coal was mined nearby and during World War II Druridge Bay was thought of as a possible landing place for a German invasion. You can still see the anti-tank blocks (seen here on the right) and pill boxes that were constructed to defend our shores.
In the 19th century coal was mined nearby and during World War II Druridge Bay was thought of as a possible landing place for a German invasion. You can still see the anti-tank blocks (seen here on the right) and pill boxes that were constructed to defend our shores.
Oh good, a cafe!
Entering Druridge Bay Country Park
The park has lots of facilities including the large freshwater Ladyburn Lake
Druridge Bay Country Park Visitor Centre - great cake
Leaving the Country Park, a mile up the coast the route passes a brick tree near Hauxley Nature Reserve. The structure was designed and crafted by Rodney Harris and was specifically built with nesting holes for tree sparrows. The structure is part of the Amble Art Trail Bord Waalk sculpture trail (and yes that is spelt correctly). We would come across more of these structures in and around Amble.
6 miles in now as we pass Hauxley Nature Reserve - it was just over 2 miles to Amble
At Low Hauxley, Coquet Island came into view
Leaving Low Hauxley - a T shirt at the end of October!!
Heading along the dunes with Amble ahead
Coquet Island
The island is now a RSPB reserve and is home to a large colony of nesting seabirds. The lighthouse dates from 1841 and is no longer manned. The first lighthouse keeper was William Darling, brother of Grace (more about her later on in the walk).
The island is now a RSPB reserve and is home to a large colony of nesting seabirds. The lighthouse dates from 1841 and is no longer manned. The first lighthouse keeper was William Darling, brother of Grace (more about her later on in the walk).
Arriving in Amble
A recent addition to the landscape - as yet no occupants
Amble Harbour
Amble East Cemetery Spire
The spire at the entrance to the cemetery once linked two chapels which were built on either side of it in the 1870s
The spire at the entrance to the cemetery once linked two chapels which were built on either side of it in the 1870s
The Big Puffin in Paddlers Park, Amble - the sculpture is the creation of Ben Greenwood and is part of The Bord Waalk Trail
From Paddlers Park we made our way in to Amble via the South Pier
The Fish Shack in Amble - a delightful place to stop for a drink and watch the world go by - which we did
Lots of small boat activity as we sat and had a drink
Fudge's Duck even participated
Too nautical for me
Amble Harbour and The Old Boathouse
The RNLI station at Amble
The recently erected memorial to all Seafarers which is sited within the Memorial Gardens next to Amble's Clock Tower. The memorial consists of two anchors and a refurbished original bollard from the quayside.
The Amble Clock Tower
The Clock Tower is a War Memorial and was designed by Will Burton. It was unveiled in May 1925 in dedication to the men of Amble lost in the First World War. As well as the original plaque dedicating those who fell, a second plaque was later added to remember those lost in the Second World War.
The Clock Tower is a War Memorial and was designed by Will Burton. It was unveiled in May 1925 in dedication to the men of Amble lost in the First World War. As well as the original plaque dedicating those who fell, a second plaque was later added to remember those lost in the Second World War.
Leaving Amble the route heads along The Braid. Another of the "Bord Waalk" sculptures can be found here - this one is entitled "Bird Song" and is by Aether and Hemera. It represents a 3D rhythmic pattern that mimics the harmonic sound of the call of the Roseate Tern.
Amble Marina
Amble's Beacon which is located on The Braid next to the Marina
Looking across to the North Pier
More "Bord Waalk" sculptures as we near Warkworth. The sculpture on the left is known as "Flock Sphere" and is by Rob Mulholland. As Rob explains, "The sculpture has been created using cut stainless steel bird shapes that are interlocked and welded to form a three dimensional sphere. An open entrance on one side allows people the opportunity to enter the sphere and become part of the bird flock, thus creating an immersive and unique experience.".
A little further along from the Sphere "Tern Wings" by Jon Voss which were inspired by the wings of a Roseate Tern.
A little further along from the Sphere "Tern Wings" by Jon Voss which were inspired by the wings of a Roseate Tern.
Entering Warkworth
Scared the living daylights out of us this did - not the sort of thing you see by your garden gate
Warkworth Castle
The castle is a "Motte & Bailey" and was probably laid out in its present form in about 1200 and was the favoured residence of the powerful Percy family from the 14th to the 17th centuries. As the Earls (and later Dukes) of Northumberland, they were among the greatest landowners in Northern England.
The castle is a "Motte & Bailey" and was probably laid out in its present form in about 1200 and was the favoured residence of the powerful Percy family from the 14th to the 17th centuries. As the Earls (and later Dukes) of Northumberland, they were among the greatest landowners in Northern England.
From the castle we made our way down through the town to the River Coquet where our car was parked at The Stanners. We were soon engulfed by an unruly mob who demanded we give them some scran - unfortunately for them we had eaten it all (Click Play to view)
Despite being dressed in his finery, the locals did not want to know him
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Day 1 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
13.2 miles
13.2 miles
6hrs 35mins
344ft (105m)
13.2 miles
6hrs 35mins
344ft (105m)