emilywillisblogIf you visit no other beach in Northumberland in your lifetime make sure you visit Bamburgh beach. It has arguably the most dramatic coastal view in the region as well as lots to explore for the heritage lover, and great places to eat and drink.
Best walks at Bamburgh beach
Bamburgh is one of the first places you think of when you think of Northumberland in the North East of England. With being home to the largest and one of the oldest castles in the region, and some of the most stunning coastal views, it’s no wonder. Bamburgh beach is vast.
From the beachside carpark you have 2 options – you can walk to the right and easily walk 3 miles and before you’ve even noticed you’ve hit the rock pools at the edge of Seahouses. This route is picturesque – the beach is straight and pretty flat, affording you to see a considerable distance. It is flanked on the right by steep sand dunes leading up to Bamburgh castle, and on the left by limitless skies, and the Farne islands bobbing in the distance and you often see arctic terns and dolphins and seals. This is as beautiful on a bleak day as on a sunny one, and there are plenty of bleak days in the north east. With grey waves slanting across the beach and crepuscular skies rolling in off the water, and hail stones cutting into your face, you feel that the elements are laying down a gauntlet, and yet you have just as refreshing a walk as in the sunshine, even if you have to light a fire when you get in and put the kettle on. For those who enjoy the taking of a good photo, it’s very instagramable.
If you walk to the left, you can walk further. You also lose the other tourists much more quickly and get the beach to yourself after about 15 minutes. You reach a lovely little pool banked by rocks where someone has painted a white deer. There is also a lighthouse jutting out into the water. Here there are a number of rock pools to be explored at low tide so it’s great to take a bucket and see what you can find. If you keep your eyes peeled you’ll often see a heron standing stock still awaiting its catch.
Once you round the lighthouse you have a hillside walk which can get quite slippy when it’s been raining, and this eventually brings you down onto a beautiful beach which is very quiet owing to only being accessible on foot. If you have mobility issues you can instead take the Wynding road path above the coastal path, which passes by the golf course and due to the elevation, affords exceptional views. Just watch out for flying golf balls, and cars!
This beach has a cove sheltered by small caves and rocks, and is wonderful for swimming. You can continue around this bay to Budle beach and keep walking until you reach the mud flats. This is approximately only 4 miles along the coast path from the centre of Bamburgh to reach the far side of Budle and the mud flats, but feels longer due to the terrain. And bear in mind this would mean 4 miles back again too. See our article on Budle Bay for more tips on walking there.
How to get to Bamburgh beach?
There is a bus stop in Bamburgh. If you are coming by train you can travel to Alnmouth train station which is about 20 minutes drive by bus or taxi to Bamburgh, or you can get the train to Chathill which is a little closer. If you are driving, Bamburgh can be accessed from the coast road, or if you are coming from inland, you can take the turning by the petrol station off the A1 motorway, which affords a beautiful view of Bamburgh castle and the sea unfolding in the distance as you approach via the country roads.
Is Bamburgh beach accessible?
There is a pay and display carpark opposite Bamburgh castle, however it is a bit of a walk to get to the beach from here. If you need to access the beach directly, travel down the road named the Wynding off the front street and you will hit two beachside carparks. Bear in mind they are reasonably small and get full at peak times, so you will need to get there before approximately 11am.
Things to do in Bamburgh
Bamburgh is an epicentre in coastal Northumberland, largely owing to its iconic castle, drawing tourists from all over the globe. Bamburgh castle dates back to the 6th century when it was a celtic fort. It has been reconstructed several times over the centuries. It is situated advantageously and played a strategic role as a military fortress in the Anglo Scottish wars between 14th and 16th centuries. It was transformed by the industrialists William Armstrong in the 19th century, into the modernised castle you see today. The castle is still owned by the Armstrong family but open to the public to visit, and is particularly fun for children who enjoy visiting the dungeon. It is also a popular wedding destination with its spectacular views from the battlements over Bamburgh beach and the ocean and islands beyond.
Bamburgh is also home to the Grace Darling museum – Darling was a local hero responsible for saving the lives of dozens of shipwrecked sailors in devastating storms. In the next village, you can visit Seahouses, which has a picturesque harbour, brilliant fish and chips, and a number of nice gift shops. Further afield, you can visit National Trust properties such as Cragside, and the market town of Alnwick, which boasts a number of well-reviewed eateries, as well as Alnwick Castle and Gardens.
Where to eat and drink in Bamburgh?
Bamburgh has a number of restaurants and pubs. Many of these are upmarket, selling highly priced seafood and game dishes and locally distilled gin such as Hebble – The Potted Lobster, The Victoria and The Lord Crewe are examples. These restaurants are cosy, with wood burning stoves and decor resembling a Scottish country house. They can be a great bet for a special occasion.
Where to stay in Bamburgh?
The Victoria Hotel is a cosy historic hotel in the centre of Bamburgh. Rooms start at around £100 a night depending on the season. If self catering is what you’re after, there are a number of bookable cottages on the road behind the Victoria, and larger farm houses owned by Sykes Cottages. If you’re looking for something more modestly priced, there is a caravan park at the neighbouring Budle Bay.
