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Coastal Walks

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THINGS TO DO

Craster Harbour Dunstanburgh Castle
Howick Hall & Gardens
Craster Kippers
Sea Fishing
Mick Oxley Gallery
Stable Yard Nursery
Coastal Walks
Birdwatching
Photography
Golf
Children's Playground
Arnold Memorial Nature Reserve
Northumberland Coast AONB
Alnwick

Further Afield

HELPFUL INFORMATION

The walks around Craster regularly feature in lists drawn up by newspapers and magazines highlighting the 'Top 10 Best Coastal Walks' in the country. Their popularity rests upon their isolation, the dramatic line between sea and land, featuring sandy beaches, cliffs and rocky foreshores, the diverse wildlife and the theatrical presence of Dunstanburgh Castle, which dominates the landscape for miles around.

Craster Northwards

A grassy path extends along the flat foreshore to Dunstanburgh Castle, just over a mile away. The approach to the castle from the south, a gently rising slope, stands in marked contrast to that from the north, where the castle fringes a high cliff, with marvelous views towards the Farne Islands and a noisy population of kittiwakes that nest on impossible ledges on the cliffs.

Travelling on along Embleton Bay, you pass the links course of Dunstanburgh Golf Club, whose clubhouse, just behind the dunes, welcomes visitors for meals and refreshments. The next leg of the journey, about 1½ miles north of the castle, brings you to Low Newton, a rocky haven with a super beach and the Ship Inn, which now offers beer from its own brewery. The Joiners Arms can be found in High Newton.

Hidden away on the headland between Low and High Newton is Football Hole, one of the prettiest beaches in Northumberland. To the north is Beadnell Bay. The National Trust owns proprty and land around Newton Point and Embleton Bay and manages a tern colony during the summer breeding season at Long Nanny on Beadnell Bay.

The National Trust has described a walk from Craster to Low Newton that can be accessed from the following link: National Trust - Craster to Low Newton

Embleton Bay looking towards Low Newton
Embleton Bay looking towards Low Newton

For those who would be happy to surrender views of the sea in exchange for a peaceful walk along a secluded path featuring open farmland, gorse and the low cliff edge of the Dunstanburgh heughs, take the path through the gate opposite Craster TIC and travel north on that route.

Craster Southwards

The footpath to the south runs along the foreshore from the harbour and can be picked up in several places, including the beer garden of the Jolly Fisherman.

The first major landmark south of Craster is Cullernose Point, a headland of whinstone cliff that provides a home for nesting kittiwakes and fulmars and which forms the northern limit of Howick Bay, a stretch of geologically diverse rock that is characterised by interesting rock formations and pools.

Cullernose Point, looking north
Cullernose Point, looking north

An interesting feature of the bay is the bathing house, which sits just above the foreshore. This was built during the Victorian period for the Grey family of Howick Hall.

Howick bathing house, Cullernose Point & Dunstanburgh Castle
Howick Hall bathing house, Cullernose Point & Dunstanburgh Castle

Mesolithic hut
Mesolithic hut

Mesolithic hut interior
Mesolithic hut interior

Of a much earler date is the original of the reconstructed Mesolithic hut which is sited between the bathing house and the outfall of Howick Burn. Dating back to 8,000BC the hut, and the nearby iron age settlement, is evidence of long standing habitation in the area.

Visit North East England has described a triangular 6m walk, Craster - Howick Hall - coast - Craster, which can be downloaded via the following link: Visit NE England - Craster to Howick.

The Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty web site is a mine of information.

The Our Coast, Our Sea site is dedicated to providing information about the coast to make your visit even more interesting.

The North Sea Trail web site has much information about the coast in cluding the facility to produce local maps and guides.

Air sea rescue helicopter
The air sea rescue helicopter from Boulmer, a regular feature of coastal walks.

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