7 Days & 6 Nights

4.5

Northumberland Coastal Path | 7 Days

Wander along vast golden beaches and breathe in fresh sea air
Discover ancient castles and ruins including Warkworth, Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh
Savour the rich, smoky flavour of Craster kippers, a true local delicacy.
Enjoy a hearty pint in the company of warm and welcoming Northumbrian locals
Overnight stays in bustling fishing villages and towns

Start your walking holiday in the fishing village of Cresswell, and follow the sweeping sands of Druridge, to the historic village of Warkworth where you can see Warkworth Castle - the first of many on the walk. Pass through pretty fishing villages Alnmouth, Boulmer and Craster, perhaps taking time to stop and sample some of the famous Craster kippers. Breathe in the fresh sea air as you head to the fascinating ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle before crossing inland to the historic villages of Bamford and Belford. Finish your walk by passing the causeway to the Holy Island, and if tidal times allow, cross over to visit the historic Lindisfarne Priory.

From £899.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive in Ellington and overnight Ellington

There is no accommodation in Cresswell itself so your first night’s accommodation will be in the nearby town of Ellington. Ellington is a 45 minute bus journey from Newcastle which is easily reached via train (3hr from London or 2h 30 from Manchester). There is also an international airport in Newcastle.

Ellington is a small village on the coast of Northumberland close to the start of the walk.

Overnight Ellington

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Plough Inn | Country Inn

The Plough Inn offers a warm welcome and has friendly staff. Refurbished by new owners, the traditional country pub isn't a typical tourist trap or sightseers spot. It's a local pub at the heart of the village community. All rooms have en-suite bathroom, Tea/coffee making facilities, television and fresh towels. The restaurant offers delicious dishes that combine the best of English pub food with touches of contemporary cuisine.

Premier Inn - Ashington | Inn

Premier Inn Hotel Ashington is just a stone's throw from the Coastal Route, top-notch beaches, and gorgeous gardens. This lovely Inn offers comfortable accommodation and all modern conveniences you might need for the overnight stay.

The Captain’s Lodge | Bed and breakfast

You will be guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome at The Captain’s lodge. The tasteful décor is enhanced by many of its original features, with an open fire being lit in the colder evenings. In the summer you can enjoy the views from a sun-lit patio, with steps leading down to the promenade. All rooms are comfortable and have TV and free wireless Internet access, tea and coffee making facilities, and a hairdryer.

Day 2 Cresswell to Warkworth 10.5 miles / 16.9 km

Start off by following the sweeping sands of Druridge Bay, with the sound of the surf accompanying you, to the small fishing port of Amble. You may also spot some of the abundant birdlife, with the area being home to several nature reserves. From Amble it is just a short walk to the ancient village of Warkworth and its grand castle.

Warkworth has a long history as an ancient fortified village, originally held by the Anglo-Saxons. Today it is a great place to stop with plenty of interesting craft shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs.

Please note that Ellington is just 30 minutes walk from the start of the path in Cresswell and you will walk straight from there if booked into The Plough Inn. If you are booked into accommodation in Ashington or Newbiggin-by-the-Sea you will need to take a short taxi (15 minutes) to Cresswell, which should be paid for locally.

Overnight Warkworth

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Bertram’s B&B | Bed and breakfast

This boutique bed and breakfast rooms opened in May 2017. All rooms have been decorated and furnished to a very high standard with Voyage Maison wall art and fabrics and Barker and Stonehouse furniture. You will enjoy a warm welcome along with a hearty breakfast which is served downstairs in the café.

Morwick House | Bed and breakfast

A well presented modern B&B with well maintained gardens.

Warkworth House Hotel | Hotel

In the heart of the village of Warkworth, this 18th-century coaching inn offers comfortable accommodation with a range of rooms, each with a digital flat-screen TV and an en suite bathroom. Some also have luxurious toiletries.

Day 3 Warkworth to Craster 13 miles / 20.9 km

Today’s walk is all about pretty Northumbrian fishing villages. Arrive first in the picturesque Alnmouth and another great spot for wildlife enthusiasts at the Aln Estuary. From here, head towards the old smuggling town of Boulmer. Enjoy taking in the delightful seaside smells - catch here includes crab, lobsters and sea salmon. Finally, you will arrive in Craster where you can quench your appetite and sample some of the delicious local cuisine, Craster kippers.

As accommodation is quite limited in Craster, you may be transferred back to Warkworth for your overnight stay tonight and we will transfer you back to Craster the next morning to continue your walk.

Overnight Craster

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Cottage Inn | Country Inn

The Cottage Inn provides B&B accommodation just outside the pretty village of Craster. All bedrooms have been renovated to a comfortable standard, room are en-suite with flat screen TV’s, garden views, complimentary bathroom products, hairdryers and complementary beverage tray. During your stay you will be able to sample some of Northumberland’s best foods and ales, they are committed to using local produce where possible. They pride themselves on their cask conditioned ales and always have a good selection from the local micro-breweries.

Old Rectory | Bed and breakfast

This is a lovely B&B set in its own grounds surrounded by fields and woods near Craster. Rooms are comfortably furnished and have all the amenities you require for a great overnight stay. They have a seating area exclusively for guests and free Wi-Fi.

Dunstanburgh Castle | Hotel

The Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel is in the heart of Embleton, a picturesque village on the Northumberland coast, set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. All rooms are en-suite with flat screen TV’s, hair dryers and complimentary hot drinks tray. They use only the best of local seasonal produce, sourced almost exclusively from small local suppliers. Their commitment to fresh and ethically produced food has earned them awards from Taste of Northumberland and Alnwick Food Festival.

Day 4 Craster to Bamburgh 14 miles / 22.5 km

Not long after leaving today, you will marvel at the ancient ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle which you can see from Craster. Following this, some delightful walking alongside the sandy bays of Beadnell and Embleton will bring you to Seahouses.

Seahouses is a bustling harbour town, most famous as the hopping off point for the fascinating Farne Islands. The Farne Islands are the most famous bird sanctuary in the British Isles and are home to an abundance of wildlife including puffins, guillemot, and grey seals.If you have time, it is definitely worth adding an extra day in Seahouses in order to visit the Islands.

You will continue along the coast until the historic village of Bamburgh. Bamburgh Castle is a magnificent sight, sitting high on an outcrop over the beach.

Overnight Bamburgh

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Victoria Hotel | Hotel

The Victoria Hotel is a welcoming AA 3 Star hotel that overlooks the village green in the heart of historic Bamburgh. The village is overlooked by magnificent Bamburgh Castle which has featured in many historical films. All of their bedrooms offer high quality furnishing and all modern conveniences including hairdryer, complimentary refreshment tray, and LCD TV. Opened in 2012, Baileys Bar & Restaurant offers high quality, locally sourced food, cooked free to Rosette standard.

Budle Hall | Bed and breakfast

Budle Hall is a family run B&B and is said to be one of Northumberland’s loveliest small country houses. They have 5 well-appointed en-suite rooms and they have all the amenities you require for a comfortable and relaxing overnight stay.

Sunningdale Hotel | Hotel

The Sunningdale is family owned and offers a warm welcome to all. It is their aim to offer excellent service and quality during your stay. They have 21 en-suite bedrooms, all of which are comfortably furnished and include colour televisions and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities and toiletries. Their restaurant offers a superb selection of delicious home made excellent value food. They use high quality delicious produce such as locally reared and butchered lamb and pork, Lakeland matured beef and a superb selection of daily fresh fish.

Day 5 Bamburgh to Fenwick 13.5 miles / 21.7 km

The scenery starts to change after leaving Bamburgh, as you walk through fields instead of along the coast before arriving at Belford.

Some further inland walking through farmland and woodland today, rewarded with some stunning views towards Holy Island from Kyloe Ridge. You will also follow the historical St Cuthbert’s Way for part of today. We highly recommend taking the short side trip to see the fascinating St Cuthbert’s Cave, where the body of St Cuthbert was reputedly taken when the monks had to flee to safety from Lindisfarne when the Vikings raided.

Fenwick is a fairly small town with limited facilities but your B&B will run you to the pub for dinner.

Overnight Fenwick

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Lindisfarne Inn | Inn

The 21 modern, lodge-style en-suite rooms located in the inn's former stable block alongside the main building. All are double glazed with central heating and have colour TVs and a well-stocked tea and coffee tray. Following a restful night you will surely enjoy the full Northumberland breakfast. Wi-Fi is accessible in the main bar. A perfect place to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings after a day’s walking!

Fenwick B&B | Bed and breakfast

Situated at Aidanfield, a detached house on the edge of the village, and set in its own private grounds with spectacular views of the coastline, Holy Island and rolling countryside.

Day 6 Fenwick to Berwick-upon-Tweed 12 miles / 19.3 km

Your final day’s walking will take you past the causeway over to Holy Island before following cliff top paths with dramatic views to the historic Berwick-upon-Tweed. If you have time (and the safe crossing times permit) you may even wish to visit Holy Island. Safe crossing times can be checked here.

Berwick-upon-Tweed has a fascinating history, with hands changed between Scotland and England for centuries. Enjoy taking in some of the many interesting architectural features such as its old defence ramparts or ancient town walls. Berwick also has a wide variety of shops, restaurants and cafes making it the perfect place to celebrate the end of your walk.

Overnight Berwick-upon-Tweed

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Tweed View House | Bed and breakfast

You are assured a very warm welcome from Liz and Graham at the Tweed View House. The rooms have free WiFi, flat screen televisions, a fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, fresh milk, bathrobes, hairdryer, toiletries, information pack & much more.

Cowrie Guest House | Bed and breakfast, Guest House

A quality Bed & Breakfast with 4 ensuite rooms and set in the heart of Berwick-upon-Tweed, just minutes from the railway station. With a tasty breakfast and a very warm welcome from the owners, you are sure to enjoy your stay here.

Roxburgh Guest House | Bed and breakfast

Roxburgh Guest House is situated by the beach in the Spittal area of historic Berwick-upon-Tweed. The Roxburgh is a delightful bed and breakfast ideal for exploring the unspoilt coastline. All the rooms are comfortable and spacious, and come complete with satellite TV, tea/coffee and a hair dryer.

Day 7 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 12kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 12kg is equivalent to 5 bunches of flowers (grown in the Netherlands). Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me? Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem
Hand picked bed and breakfast accommodation in en-suite rooms wherever possible.
Breakfasts
Luggage transfers (as noted in the itinerary)
Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure navigation app

Excluded

Travel to the start or from the finish of the walk.
Transfer from Ellington to Cresswell
Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks.
Travel Insurance.
Personal Equipment.
Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage.

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after your walk.

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

Online Documents

At Macs Adventure we care about the environment! We’re taking action to minimise the impact we have by converting the majority of our tour documentation for online delivery.

On this tour, all your detailed tour information will be digitally delivered.

Equipment

You will need good walking shoes (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack as well as sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. This route involves a few climbs where you may find it useful to have your walking poles. As this route primarily follows the coast, we recommend bringing windproof clothing to make it easier to progress.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.