Why you should visit the unspoilt Northumberland coast off season

Gillian Thornton

Gillian Thornton

England's northeast coast may not promise the sunshine hours of Britain's southerly seaside resorts, but Northumberland* more than makes up for its changeable weather with mile upon mile of expansive beaches, an abundance of atmospheric castles and tempting small towns.

The wide open beach at Druridge Bay
The wide open beach at Druridge Bay © Duncan Andison - Shutterstock.com

While summer offers the best chance of blue-sky days, a low-season holiday here is perfect for families or couples who enjoy coastal walks, nature activities and heritage visits in an authentic natural environment.

The roughly 40-mile coastal strip between Berwick-upon-Tweed to the north and Amble and the Coquet Estuary in the south is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

So just pack good walking shoes and layers then let the spectacular sites and scenery of the Northumberland Coast work their magic!

Explore for less: find great value memberships with free entry to numerous sites across Northumberland for all with English Heritage* and the National Trust*.

Legendary beaches

Northumberland's wide sandy beaches are backed by high dunes and punctuated by rocky outcrops and strategic castles, a paradise for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts whether you follow the spectacular Northumberland Coast Path or choose a shorter loop, perhaps combined with sustainable local transport.

Walk north along the sands from Seahouses for dramatic views of Bamburgh Castle and, beyond it, Lindisfarne Castle at the tip of Holy Island.

You could stroll south from Beadnell around the gentle arc of beautiful Beadnell Bay for views towards Dunstanburgh Castle* at Craster. Alternatively, start from the National Trust car park for the 1.3-mile trail to this imposing 14th-century ruin.

The unmistakable mount of Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island
The unmistakable mount of Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island © Drew McLellan - Flickr CC BY-NC 2.0

Cyclists can explore miles of quiet country lanes and traffic-free cycle routes that combine coast and countryside.

Bring your own bike or hire from Alnwick, Amble or Beadnell, then plan your route with an Ordnance Survey map or dip in and out of the Coast and Castles long-distance cycling route that runs from Berwick down to Hexham and the Northumberland National Park.

There is plenty to do on and in the water too. Depending on wind and weather, you will spot surfers and windsurfers, kayakers and stand-up paddle boarders as well as hardy wild swimmers. Want to have a go? Ask any local tourist office about lessons with an expert.

Accessible nature

Whenever you visit the Northumberland coast, the natural world delivers. Winter is a particularly rewarding season for birdwatchers as huge colonies of waders feed in the shallows.

Meanwhile, in spring and early summer, more than 20 species of seabird, including puffins, guillemots and shag, breed on the Farne Islands* just off the coast at Bamburgh.

Owned by the National Trust, these tiny islands are home to one of Britain's largest grey seal colonies with some 2,000 pups born every autumn. Grey seal cruises operate from Seahouses all year round, weather permitting, with Billy Shiel's Boat Trips.

Go puffin-spotting on a boat trip to the Farne Islands
Go puffin-spotting on a boat trip to the Farne Islands © Olga - Adobe Stock Image

Beachcombers of all ages can have fun searching rock pools for crabs and small fish or studying the shoreline for sea glass. But look upwards too as the light fades; the Northumberland Coast AONB is a great place for stargazing with minimal light pollution, especially Embleton Quarry Nature Reserve, a designated Dark Sky Site.

Dramatic castles

Membership of the National Trust* or English Heritage* pays dividends here with members enjoying free entry to some of the area's most iconic heritage attractions.

There is something magical about visiting an offshore island, even if it can only claim island status at high tide. Standing at the tip of Holy Island and cut off from the mainland twice a day, Lindisfarne Castle* was converted from a fortress into a comfortable holiday home for the owner of Country Life magazine in 1903 by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Drive over the causeway from the mainland then walk to the castle from the village down a narrow peninsula. Open daily, mid-March to late October.

Dramatic Bamburgh Castle on the wild Northumberland coast
Dramatic Bamburgh Castle on the wild Northumberland coast © Drhfoto - Adobe Stock Image

Walk among the atmospheric ruins of Lindisfarne Priory in the heart of the village, home to St Cuthbert in the 7th century CE and one of the most important Christian sites in Anglo-Saxon England.

Then there's Warkworth Castle*, a medieval fortress just outside Amble. Once home to the powerful Percy family, Earls of Northumberland, this imposing ruin opens on selected days throughout the winter.

Two of the area's big-hitting heritage attractions, however, are privately owned. Capital of the 7th-century Kingdom of Northumbria, the village of Bamburgh is dominated by Bamburgh Castle, the inspiration for the hit Netflix series The Last Kingdom.

Bought by Victorian engineer and inventor William Armstrong in 1894, the dilapidated fortress was turned into a grand private home during the last years of his life. Today, it's open daily (with a few exceptions) throughout the year.

Home today of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle closes from late October until late March, so plan a spring visit to tour rooms seen in the Harry Potter movies, Downton Abbey and other period productions.

View of Alnwick Castle from Lion Bridge
View of Alnwick Castle from Lion Bridge © Swan Liu - Adobe Stock Image

Leave time too for glorious Alnwick Garden with its beautiful cascade, interactive water garden and famous Poison Garden, not to mention the centre of this pretty market town.

Some holiday reading? Don't miss Barter Books, a vast second-hand bookshop in Alnwick's old station.

Memorable locations

Just north of the AONB, Berwick-upon-Tweed is England's most northerly town, but between 1296 and 1482, it changed hands with Scotland 13 times.

Little remains of the castle that was once a centre for borderland politics, but Berwick boasts the largest bastioned town walls in England. Walk the circuit or try the shorter Castle Parks Trail for views over the River Tweed and its three bridges.

Whether you love technology or just enjoy a beautiful house, head inland from Alnwick to Cragside near Rothbury. Dubbed 'Britain's first smart home', the estate was home to Margaret and William Armstrong of Bamburgh Castle fame.

Packed with Victorian gadgets, this extraordinary home was the first place in the world lit by hydroelectricity, much to the envy of the Royal Family.

Climate in Northumberland

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
Sea temperature °C

The above guide shows the climate in Bamburgh. Find out more about conditions across the region in our complete guide to the climate in Northumberland.

Ready to discover Northumberland? Search great value memberships with discounts on English Heritage and offers from National Trust to experience more for less.

Latest English Heritage membership offers

More about England

England by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Gillian Thornton

Gillian Thornton

Posted on Friday 27th September 2024 in: Adventure Family Nature UK

Back to top

Explore holidays in the sun for less

More holidays

Airport parking

More parking

Airport lounges

More lounges

Related posts

Back to Travel inspiration Top ^