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Not riding this time, but drifting up the Northumberland coast with the missus with a night in Berwick.
Probably taking a look at Lindisfarne, but what other bits and pieces should we think about including on the way up?
And is there anywhere decent for grub in Berwick?
Corner House cafe in Berwick was fab pre-Covid
The Barn at Beal cafe is much better than the ones on Holy Island (it's just before the causeway)
If you get to Berwick St Abbs is worth a little visit.
Ta!
I'm told Northumberland has some 'OK' beaches for a wander 🙂 . Any favourites?
I have said it before and I'll say it again...nothing to see in Northumberland!! 😉
However, if you insist on passing through, the beach at Embleton is stunning whatever the weather, although you could say that about a lot of the Northumberland coastline
Go to the ship inn at Lower Newton, we stopped in Beadnell in April, endless miles of deserted beaches.
as above, Embleton beach lovely, and good pubs/food at each end, Craster at the south, or our fav, Low Newton at the north end
Oh, and Marshalls café on the way in to Berwick - the most amazing breakfasts!! Had many a smashing brekkie en-route to playing against Berwick cricket club.
We found something interesting (beach, castle, town) about every 6 miles plus some good beer. Difficult not to have fun in that county.
Short stroll along the beach and path at Embleton to Dunstanborough Castle and back. If you wanted more of a walk you could continue to Craster to buy kippers and have lunch at one of the pubs.
Lunch at the Ship in, Low Newton by the Sea. Prob need to book. Also a nice bit of coastline round Football Hole and to Beadnell Bay for a quick wander.
Seahouses - old seaside vibe. Trips to Farne Islands. Prob for another day.
Banborough and the Castle - well worth a stop. Places to eat/drink
Lindisfarne v worth it. Check tide times.
That's probably more of a long weekend than an afternoon drive but hey. There's also stuff inland.
I have said it before and I’ll say it again…nothing to see in Northumberland!!
This. It's horrid. Tell everyone to avoid it!
beach at Embleton
Where is the best place to park? Low Newton?
I really like the coast at Rumbling Kern near the Howick bathing house, cos it's all geological 🙂
Place to avoid - Fish Shack at Amble. Featured on Hairy Bikers and living on that fame. The food is average; the service is dire.
Where is the best place to park? Low Newton?
Last time I was there I parked in the overspill car park at Craster - we walked along to Embleton/Low Newton and then back to buy kippers.
beach at Embleton
Where is the best place to park? Low Newton?
The surfer in me doesn't want to say (top notch beach), but parking at the end of the road through dunstan steads (just before Embleton if you're going north) is what I prefer. At the castle end of the beach. It's marked on the OS map as parking: 100m across the golf course and dunes and there's the beach.
This is great, thanks all! We'll just be dipping our toe this time, hopefully make a longer trip at some point.
Ship inn is often packed. Don't expect rapid service, but it is nice. Embleton golf course clubhouse does good food and you can pay to park there as well. DO NOT PARK IN THE TURNING BAY!
Embleton beach is where I've surfed with Seals. Properly memorable.
Warkworth beach can be less busy than others as many people miss the turn off. Amble beach is also great (had our wedding photos done there).
Before you get to the proper bit, Seaton Sluice / Blyth beach is really nice and Fish & Chips from Ciccarelli's on Blyth beach is delicious. The gelato is amazeballs - I'll even drive up there especially to pick a tub up.
It's not as deserted as it used to be: Bamburgh, Seahouses, Beadnell are all rammed right now. If heading up from the South take the A19 or A194 / A19 through the tunnel (pay toll online) then the A189 up the coast following the brown "coastal route" signs. A1 is buggered between the Angel and North of Newcastle while they unpick the slight design flaw in capacity made 30 years ago.
Everything I was going to cover has been added. As fazzini said Embleton beach is great. Also dog friendly.
Barn at Beale can get busy but they're pretty good at finding space.
Can recommend this one in Berwick -
It was lovely a few weeks ago with some friends 🙂
Seahouses for a trip to the Farne Islands.
Amazing place. There was a minke whale hanging around the other day.
If you get there in the next week or so, the puffins should still be about.
If you don't want to venture inland various posts have it covered.
+1 for Embleton, Dunstanburgh Castle,(park at Craster and walk along cliff top - you might see whales), St Abbs, Seahouses, Beadnell, Bamburgh, Holy Island (if tide times fit your itinerary).
I always liked beach at Seaton Sluice.
Eat at The Jolly Fisherman at Craster; first time I went was c35 years ago when it was fishermen, fag smoke and basic grub.
Now it's very much a dining pub with strong emphasis on fish - all freshly landed.
If going a little way inland, Rothbury and Cragside.
Other than that, it's a waste if time - don't go; nothing to see or do.
Shout out here for the humble Amble. Great little harbour, fine harbour grub in the Old Boathouse.
That, and everything else mentioned above.
There was a minke whale hanging around the other day.
Obviously no-one told it Northumberland is rubbish.
Re: Farne Islands
Due to an avian flu outbreak there are no landings at the moment. I think you can do the island tours to see seals though
😪
I saw a 9m minke last year. Sadly is was very dead and slowly rotting just north of Boulmer. Poor smelly thing
By the way here's my top tip. Go to the M&S food at Alnwick, buy bits for a picnic, drive to Boulmer and have a picnic on the beach or in your car sat looking at the boats bobbing up and down. We did that on Tuesday last week
😎
Speaking of Boulmer, the walk from Craster to there is an overlooked highlight of the coast. Some lovely little beaches along that stretch. You can park at for a couple of quid at Low Steads and explore (55.433984, -1.588373)
Seahouses for a trip to the Farne Islands.
The Farnes are closed to visitors due to avian ‘flu. Boat trips round the islands are still on.
Edit: beaten to it
If you do go to lindisfarne, please observe the causeway safe crossing times… the number of people who think they can ‘just get through’ and end up calling the lifeboat is ridiculous and a waste of resources.
NO, don't bother it's all terrible and full of awful people.
If you do insist on going though, I couldn't tell you which beach to avoid, as they're all of the same level of beauty and calm.
Amble is great. Alnmouth pretty, can be busy but there's easy parking at the golf course.
Bamburgh, the RNLI museum is worth a visit. If you're in Anlwick, search out the Bari Tea House, great Tea, soups and scones. Barter books, if old books are your thing: https://www.barterbooks.co.uk/html/About%20Us/The%20Bookshop.php
If you do go to lindisfarne, please observe the causeway safe crossing times… the number of people who think they can ‘just get through’ and end up calling the lifeboat is ridiculous and a waste of resources.
I've always found it odd that they can't install a simple electronic sign that adjusts to state safe crossing times. I know you can look it up online but it must be confusing for foreign visitors and thick people. If a sign can tell a lorry that it is too tall to go under a low bridge, why can a sign not be installed telling you if it is safe to cross the causeway or not?
but they've got these hand towers you can hide up to sit it out, so not that big of a deal?
..... but they don't contain giant hairdryers to dry your moist, salty car
Thanks again everyone - it sounds rubbish, so we're going shopping at the Metro Centre instead. 🙂
No doubt someone can tell you the best coffee shop there too
😉
Pedalling Squares bottom of Whickham bank. There is no good coffee in Metro Centre.
Thanks again everyone – it sounds rubbish, so we’re going shopping at the Metro Centre instead
Good choice, you'll be able to go the Alpkit shop behind Ikea.
The Farnes are closed to visitors due to avian ‘flu. Boat trips round the islands are still on.
There is still loads to see, (and smell).
The trips around the islands are still fascinating.
Warkworth beach can be less busy than others as many people miss the turn off
That's our local beach so I'll thank you to keep your helpful tips to yourself. Good job you didn't mention the large free car park.
On the subject of car parks, you'll need a bunch of change for a visit of any length of time as parking machines are common and very greedy. There's a contactless pay point near the tourist info centre at Craster, which is useful as the phone app won't work as there is no signal (on O2, at any rate).
Thanks everyone! It was awful, won't be returning.
You should have listened - nowt there apart from a beach covered in seaweed and a shonky old castle; grey overcast sky - it's always like that.
Avoid.
Don’t go, it’s terrible. People there caused Brexit, weather is bad and there is no food.
Druridge Bay is good, now the sand extraction and other exploitation has ended. It’s generally deserted.