Northumberland Coast Path - 30 October to 5 November 2024
“Northumberland, thou ladder wherewithal the mounting Bolingbroke ascends my throne.”
William Shakespeare, Richard II
William Shakespeare, Richard II
Introduction
The Northumberland coast is best known for its wide, sweeping beaches which are backed by high sand dunes punctuated by dark whinstone outcrops. Amidst this striking landscape is the evidence of an area steeped in history, covering 7000 years of human activity. A host of conservation sites, including two National Nature Reserves testify to the great variety of wildlife and habitats also found on the coast.
It is fair to say that the Northumberland coast has some of the finest coastal walking in Europe. The Northumberland Coast Path (NCP) follows this stunningly beautiful coastline for some 70 miles from Cresswell in the south to Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north. Alongside sandy beaches, over rocky headlands, past dramatic castles and through attractive coastal villages, the path offers a constantly changing landscape which is a pleasure to explore.
The route officially starts in the pretty village of Cresswell at the southern end of Druridge Bay. It then hugs the Northumberland Coast taking in the fishing town of Amble and the villages of Warkworth, Alnmouth, Craster and Seahouses before reaching Bamburgh, a place dominated by the beautiful Bamburgh Castle.
Beyond Bamburgh the path heads inland for a short section to reach the coaching village of Belford before picking up height onto the sandstone ridge with fine views of the coast and the Cheviot Hills. The path then decends back to the coast and the wide open sand and mud flats of the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve before striking north, along sandy beaches and cliff-top paths to the River Tweed and the border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
For anybody wishing to experience a multi day walk over not too taxing terrain then The Northumberland Coast Path is an ideal starting point. It is not overly difficult either navigationally or physically, however it still provides the walker with a fantastic walking journey through a beautiful landscape.
Read on to see how we fared walking this fantastic route.
It is fair to say that the Northumberland coast has some of the finest coastal walking in Europe. The Northumberland Coast Path (NCP) follows this stunningly beautiful coastline for some 70 miles from Cresswell in the south to Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north. Alongside sandy beaches, over rocky headlands, past dramatic castles and through attractive coastal villages, the path offers a constantly changing landscape which is a pleasure to explore.
The route officially starts in the pretty village of Cresswell at the southern end of Druridge Bay. It then hugs the Northumberland Coast taking in the fishing town of Amble and the villages of Warkworth, Alnmouth, Craster and Seahouses before reaching Bamburgh, a place dominated by the beautiful Bamburgh Castle.
Beyond Bamburgh the path heads inland for a short section to reach the coaching village of Belford before picking up height onto the sandstone ridge with fine views of the coast and the Cheviot Hills. The path then decends back to the coast and the wide open sand and mud flats of the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve before striking north, along sandy beaches and cliff-top paths to the River Tweed and the border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
For anybody wishing to experience a multi day walk over not too taxing terrain then The Northumberland Coast Path is an ideal starting point. It is not overly difficult either navigationally or physically, however it still provides the walker with a fantastic walking journey through a beautiful landscape.
Read on to see how we fared walking this fantastic route.
The harbour at Amble - the walk visits here on Day 1
(Links to each individual day are below, however just click on "Itinerary" below to start the story of the walk
NCP Itinerary
NCP Day 1 - Ellington to Warkworth
NCP Day 2 - Warkworth to Craster
NCP Day 3 - Craster to Seahouses
NCP Day 4 - Seahouses to Belford
NCP Day 5 - Belford to Fenwick
NCP Day 6 - Fenwick to Berwick-upon-Tweed
NCP - Thoughts in Conclusion
NCP Day 1 - Ellington to Warkworth
NCP Day 2 - Warkworth to Craster
NCP Day 3 - Craster to Seahouses
NCP Day 4 - Seahouses to Belford
NCP Day 5 - Belford to Fenwick
NCP Day 6 - Fenwick to Berwick-upon-Tweed
NCP - Thoughts in Conclusion
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