NORTH EAST
09. Beadnell Bay, Northumberland
Distance: 6.3 miles/10.3km | Time: 4 hours | Grade: Moderate | Ascent: 60m (return)
The sheltered cove of Beadnell Bay is the perfect spot for a peaceful early morning walk along the golden beach to watch the sunrise. It’s a popular place for ornithologists who come to watch the colony of Arctic terns that have made their home along this stretch of the Northumberland coastline. As the only west-facing port on England’s east coast, Beadnell is a very sheltered bay and a great place to swim.
The beach is within Northumberland’s dark sky zone, making it a great location for stargazing. There are many local diving and snorkelling clubs around Beadnell and a large number of popular dive sites nearby, including the Somali, a ship that was bombed in 1941 and now lies at a depth of 29 metres just off Beadnell Bay.
1 START
This wheelchairfriendly walk begins from the car park in the village of Beadnell where there are disabled parking bays and accessible toilet facilities. There is a short gradual tarmac path that leads from the car park up on to the beach.
2 0.1 MILES
The harbour was built in the 1790s and was once the haunt of herring fishermen and smugglers. John Craster gave the harbour to 25 fishermen in 1947 and it remains in the hands of those same fishing families today. To the north end of the harbour are three circular lime kilns. The lime was exported by sea to other ports in England and Scotland. By 1822 they had fallen out of use as kilns.
They were then utilised by local fishermen for curing herrings and today the restored lime kilns are used to house hundreds of lobster pots. The walk continues south along two miles of sandy beach, a fine stretch of coastline that has been awarded Blue Flag status for its clean waters. There are beautiful views across Embleton Bay to Dunstanburgh Castle.
3 1.9 MILES
As you near the end of the beach, look right for a path leading up to Newton Steads Car Park. From here, join the Northumberland Coast Path and follow it south, cutting the corner of Newton Point before descending gradually to the next bay.
4 3.1 MILES
The village of Low Newton-by-the-Sea is well worth a visit The whitewashed cottages and village green make this one of the most attractive communities on the Northumberland Coast. While in Low Newton, take a little time to explore Newton Pond, famous for the Newton Pool Bird Reserve, a small, reed-fringed freshwater habitat behind the dunes. Many seabirds, shorebirds and wildfowl can be spotted from the two hides. Return to Beadnell the way you came.
USEFUL INFO
Starting point
Beadnell is a few miles south of Seahouses and can be easily accessed from the A1. Parking fees apply at the car park in Beadnell (NE76 5BW). There is a bus to Beadnell, which is the X18 service between Newcastle and Berwick.
Terrain
This is a beach walk and although there are no stiles, it may prove difficult for manual wheelchairs and buggies in the soft sand. There are rockpools and rocky outcrops to explore nearer to Low Newton.
Map
OS Explorer 340
Swim
Because of the curved nature of the bay, Beadnell is a safe place for swimming in the sea. Before swimming, check the weather and tides and take care if using inflatables.
Eat/drink
The Ship Inn (originally known as the Smack Inn), in Low Newton, is a popular and friendly pub serving an excellent range of sandwiches and meals. shipinnnewton.co.uk
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