Northumberland Coast Path
Highlights:
Wide beaches and clifftop paths
Numerous stunning castles
Holy Island of Lindisfarne
Nature reserves; coastal wildlife
Brief:
⏱ Duration: 5 - 6 Days
🗺 Distance: 102 km
⛰ Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
🗓 Best Time: April - September
🛏 Accomm: Bed & Breakfast; Hotels
Walk Overview
The Northumberland Coast Path is renowned for offering some of the finest coastal walking in England. This wild and unspoilt corner of north-eastern England features vast seascapes, wide deserted sandy beaches, dramatic clifftop paths and remote natural beauty.
However, it’s the awe-inspiring medieval castles along the route that really set this walk apart. These majestic Northumberland castles were built on rocky headlands for strategic and defence purposes. Today, they serve as powerful reminders of the region’s turbulent history.
The Northumberland Coast Path runs from the coastal fishing village of Cresswell in the south (about 40 kilometres north of Newcastle) to Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north, near the Scottish border. For most of its way, the path sticks close to the shoreline, however it does take one inland detour to incorporate the historic villages of Bamford and Belford.
A highlight of the walk is the imposing Bamburgh Castle. As you approach, it looms in and out of sight as the frequent sea-mists swirl around it. The Castle was once the seat of early Northumbrian kings, but was re-built by the Normans in the 11th and 12th centuries. These early sections of the Castle are readily identifiable. Today, it’s the residence of the Armstrong family and is open to the public.
The dramatic ruins of Warkworth Castle and Dunstanburgh Castle are also memorable highlights of the Northumberland Coast Path. And if you can squeeze in a rest day at Alnmouth, the magnificent Alnwick Castle & Garden is easily accessible from there.
Many take a rest day to explore Holy Island (originally known as Lindisfarne) that lies adjacent to Fenwick on the mainland. Holy Island can be accessed at low tide via a three mile causeway or the traditional Pilgrim’s Way across the sand flats. Lindifarne Priory and Lindisfarne Castle are the main historical sites and are extraordinary, but the entire island is brimful of landscape and historic interest.
The fishing industry has played an important part in Northumberland’s history and the Northumberland Coast Path takes walkers through the attractive and interesting fishing villages of Amble, Alnmouth, Boulmer and Craster. Northumbrians are known for their hospitality and fresh seafood often forms part of that. You’ll no doubt have more than one opportunity to sample the local delicacy, Craster Kippers.
The complete walk covers 102 kilometres (63 miles) and generally takes five or six days. Your total trip duration then depends on whether you incorporate rest days into the walk and, if so, how many.
Assistance and further information:
For more information on walking in Northumberland, click the button below.
For more information on walking in Northumberland, click the button below:
A five day itinerary for the Northumberland Coast Path is described below.
Itinerary
The walk takes 5-6 days to complete. A typical 5 day itinerary is shown below.
Day 1
Cresswell to Warkworth
Distance: 18km
Time: 5 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2
Warkworth to Embleton
Distance: 24km
Time: 6 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 3
Embleton to Bamburgh
Distance: 21km
Time: 5 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 4
Bamburgh to Fenwick
Distance: 23km
Time: 6 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 5
Fenwick to Berwick-upon-Tweed
Distance: 21km
Time: 5 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Walk Options
Guided
Currently, none of the walk tour operators who offer the Northumberland Coast Path do so on a guided basis. There are a few operators who offer guided walks in Northumberland, including sections of the Northumberland Coast Path.
Typically, the package offered by these operators include:
3 -7 Day tour with professional guides,
3 - 7 Nights accommodation with ensuite
All meals
Transfers between the walks and the accommodation
Assisted self-guided
A substantial number of tour operators offer the Northumberland Coast Path as a self-guided trip.
Typically, the service includes:
Track notes, maps and information pack
Accommodation, usually with ensuites (the range and quantity of accommodation available in some villages is limited; also, the basic package offered by some tour operators might not always extend to ensuites)
Luggage transport between accommodation (and sometimes, where necessary, vehicle transfers between track and accommodation)
Breakfasts and optional packed lunches
24/7 Support
The duration of the self-guided options varies depending upon how far you wish to walk each day. Accommodation options range from comfortable through to luxury, again depending upon the size of the village or town and the purchased package.
Independent
North of Craster, there are camping grounds along the route that make camping a possibility, but south of Craster the options are very limited.
It’s quite feasible to book accommodation along the route yourself and, if you require luggage transfers, to arrange that independently.
For those considering this option, it’s worth noting that the self-guided tour operators often have preferred rates with accommodation providers and luggage transfer companies. They also often have reserved allocations at the best-located/most suitable accommodation for the particular walk, so sometimes when accommodation shows no availability to an independent inquiry there’s still availability through a self-guided operator.
It is also important to note that not all accommodation places take single night stays during summer months. Again, the tour operators sometimes have special arrangements.
Essential Information
Access
The starting point for the Northumberland Coast Path is Cresswell, Northumberland.
The finishing point is Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Creswell and Berwick-upon-Tweed are readily accessible by public transport:
For Creswell, there are regular trains from London’s Kings Cross or St Pancras to Widdrington and from there Creswell is a short bus or taxi trip;
From Berwick-upon-Tweed, there are regular trains to London’s Kings Cross.
Best time
The best time to do the walk is between April and September.
Difficulty
This walk is rated at a difficulty level of easy to moderate. The path is clearly defined and waymarked. It is mainly flat with very few climbs.
Accommodation
There are accommodation options at the start and finish of the Northumberland Coast Path (Creswell and Berwick-upon-Tweed) and, generally, plenty along the route. Accommodation options include camping, hostels, B&B’s, guesthouses, inns and hotels.
Many of the accommodation providers, particularly those near to the route, are attuned to walkers’ needs or offer amenities suited to walkers.
We can assist walkers in choosing the accommodation options which best suit their needs.
Dining
We can assist you in choosing special dining options along the route or at the end.
Other activities
As a popular tourist destination, the Northumberland Coast region offers many attractions in addition to the Northumberland Coast Path.
Many walkers choose to add extra days to their trip so that they can explore these other attractions. Some will do that through rest days along the trail; others prefer ‘add-ons’ at the end of the walk. Some do both!
Many walkers choose to spend an extra day at Fenwick so that they can visit Holy Island which is accessed by means of a tidal causeway. There are many historic attractions on the island, including Lindisfarne Castle and Lindisfarne Priory, as well as the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve.
We can assist walkers to explore the many attractions of the Northumberland Coast.
Assistance
We can assist walkers with various aspects of their walking holidays.