I've put together a guide featuring 10 of our favourites (it isn't a comprehensive guide - just some of the places we personally love). Let me know if you'd like to visit any of the beaches listed or if you have a favourite.
Blyth beach is just a short drive from where we live and probably one of the places we visit the most. Blyth doesn't have the best reputation but Blyth Beach is absolutely spot on.
South Beach, Blyth
(15 miles from Newcastle)
Blyth beach is just a short drive from where we live and probably one of the places we visit the most. Blyth doesn't have the best reputation but Blyth Beach is absolutely spot on.
There's plentiful free parking, beach huts to hire, two play parks, decent public loos, a fish and chip restaurant and takeaway, ice cream parlour and ice cream van. There's also a lovely little prom which is perfect for bike rides and walks.
If you're looking for a beach in Northumberland with lots of facilities in the immediate vicinity, Blyth Beach is the one for you. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 1 May - 30 September. Postcode: NE24 3PL
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Cresswell is a quiet, long, sandy beach a little bit off the beaten track. Park up along the road near Cresswell Ices where you can buy ice creams, buckets and spades and drinks.
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Newbiggin-by-the-sea
(19.5 miles from Newcastle)
Newbiggin Beach is another spot that's ideal for a full day out - you have the town right by you which is perfect for finding a bite to eat or maybe visit the maritime museum.
The beach is both sandy and rocky and you can explore the rock pools at low tide. Make sure you look out for the famous couple looking out to sea! Restrictions on dogs may apply during the summer months. Postcode : NE64 6XE.
Cresswell Beach
(24 miles from Newcastle)
Cresswell is a quiet, long, sandy beach a little bit off the beaten track. Park up along the road near Cresswell Ices where you can buy ice creams, buckets and spades and drinks.
There are free public loos just up from the beach and The Drift Cafe is a nice little spot for food or drinks. Cresswell is the perfect beach if you're looking for miles of sand, peace and quiet and a place to spend the day hunting for shells and sea glass. Dogs are allowed with no restrictions. Postcode: NE61 5LA.
Druridge Bay stretches for 9 miles in total and even includes a private unofficial nudist beach! Yikes! If you'd like to play it safe, I recommend the stretch of beach that's accessed via Druridge Bay Country Park.
Druridge Bay Beach
(30 miles from Newcastle)
Druridge Bay stretches for 9 miles in total and even includes a private unofficial nudist beach! Yikes! If you'd like to play it safe, I recommend the stretch of beach that's accessed via Druridge Bay Country Park.
We love it here as you get 2 days out in 1. We usually start with a walk around the nature reserve and Ladyburn Lake and then spend the afternoon on the beach.
There's car parking, a visitor centre, cafe and a small play park on site. Restrictions on dogs apply during the summer months in some parts. Postcode : NE61 5BX
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Top tip : The car park is fairly small and gets busy so get there early or use public transport.
Low Newton by the Sea is a tranquil beach with high-quality water and is a popular spot for bird watching. There's a lovely microbrewery and pub overlooking the beach (The Ship Inn) and guests fill the patch of grass on sunny days enjoying a drink while the kids play.
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Warkworth Beach
(32 miles from Newcastle)
Another gorgeous beach! Warkwork beach is a beaut and you can walk from here all the way to Amble and enjoy gorgeous views across Alnmouth and Coquet Island.
There's a free car park and picnic tables in the dunes or it's just a 20-minute stroll from the village. This beach is a good one to combine a stroll with a trip to nearby Warkworth Castle or the picture perfect village of Warkworth and is perfect for building sandcastles. Restrictions may apply for dogs visiting in the summer months. Postcode : NE65 0SW
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Alnmouth Beach
(35 miles from Newcastle)
Alnmouth Beach is one of the quietest in Northumberland and you'll often have the place to yourself. There are beautiful views of the estuary and there's a play park nearby plus lots of lovely little cafes in the town itself.
Alnmouth is the perfect beach to visit if you want to spend time with the family and escape everyday life for a while. Dogs are allowed at all times. Postcode : NE66 2RW
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Craster Beach
(40 miles from Newcastle)
Craster Beach is a little different to the others on the list as this one is more of a rocky coastline with little pockets of sand. Craster is one of our favourite places on earth though so I couldn't not include it!
This patch of coastline is ideal for short walks with the kids (watch out for the sheep and cows), wildlife spotting, shell and stone collecting and rock pooling. Not really a place I'd recommend for building sandcastles but definitely somewhere you don't want to miss!
We've spotted seals and dolphins off the coastline here in the past. There's a fabulous pub and smokehouse in Craster as well as a children's play park and of course, Dunstanburgh Castle. Dogs are welcome at all times (keep them on a lead near livestock). Postcode : NE66 3TR.
Top tip : The car park is fairly small and gets busy so get there early or use public transport.
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Low Newton by the Sea
(44 miles from Newcastle)
Low Newton by the Sea is a tranquil beach with high-quality water and is a popular spot for bird watching. There's a lovely microbrewery and pub overlooking the beach (The Ship Inn) and guests fill the patch of grass on sunny days enjoying a drink while the kids play.
There's a small car park and many people end up parking on the grass verge. Dogs are welcome. Postcode : NE66 3EH
Bamburgh Beach is a favourite with locals. With a magnificent castle as it's backdrop, a lovely village filled with pretty tearooms, seafood restaurants and welcoming pubs, plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities, views of the Farne Islands and sandy beaches that will go on for miles, it's clear to see why so many people say Bamburgh Beach is their favourite. Dogs are welcome. Postcode : NE69 7DF.
Holy Island is a fantastic place to spend the day. It's cut off from the mainland twice daily and really has a kind of magic like no other. There are plenty of facilities on the island from pubs, cafes and small independent shops and the glorious castle and priory are not to be missed. Beaches across the island range from sheltered sandy coves to fantastic rock pools. The island is perfect for spotting wildlife - you can often spot seals.
If you'd like more ideas for days out across North East England, why not join our FREE Facebook group. It's a place to share your own recommendations, ask for days out advice and read ideas from other local people too. You can join here: www.facebook.com/groups/NorthEastDaysOut
Bamburgh Beach
(50 miles from Newcastle)
Bamburgh Beach is a favourite with locals. With a magnificent castle as it's backdrop, a lovely village filled with pretty tearooms, seafood restaurants and welcoming pubs, plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities, views of the Farne Islands and sandy beaches that will go on for miles, it's clear to see why so many people say Bamburgh Beach is their favourite. Dogs are welcome. Postcode : NE69 7DF.
Holy Island
(58 miles from Newcastle)
Holy Island is a fantastic place to spend the day. It's cut off from the mainland twice daily and really has a kind of magic like no other. There are plenty of facilities on the island from pubs, cafes and small independent shops and the glorious castle and priory are not to be missed. Beaches across the island range from sheltered sandy coves to fantastic rock pools. The island is perfect for spotting wildlife - you can often spot seals.
If you'd like more ideas for days out across North East England, why not join our FREE Facebook group. It's a place to share your own recommendations, ask for days out advice and read ideas from other local people too. You can join here: www.facebook.com/groups/NorthEastDaysOut
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Thank you for your support as always.
Please follow social distancing rules & Government guidelines , respect the local area. leave no trace, take litter home, park responsibly and if somewhere is busy on arrival, please consider leaving and returning at a later date.
Always check updated opening hours / protocols / parking advice and charges with venues direct before setting off as things may have changed since this post was published.
Always check updated opening hours / protocols / parking advice and charges with venues direct before setting off as things may have changed since this post was published.
Don't have a car? No problem
If you'd like to explore the Northumberland Coast by bus, here's a link to the Arriva travel website and an overview of the map below. We like to buy a family day ticket for £13.50 (2 adults, 3 children unlimited travel on most Arriva services) or a family explorer ticket for £20 (2 adults, 2 children unlimited travel across the North East on most bus services, Tyne and Wear Metro and local trains).
Which beach in Northumberland is your favourite?
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Alnmouth Beach is beautiful! My personal favourite, though, is a bit further south - Tynemouth. We celebrated my Grandma's 90th there, three years ago, before we moved her down south. Great post, Sam! xx
ReplyDeleteI'm ashamed to say there's so many of these I haven't visited! I can't wait for Edie and Mabel to get toddling about so they can go paddling x
ReplyDeleteWe are so lucky to live where we do....
ReplyDeleteWe need to try a different beach. We always seem to go to Amble or Blyth. x
These are all beautiful beaches. The Craster Beach and Holy Island got the most spectacular views!
ReplyDeleteWow you don't realise how many beaches we have until you see them all listed out like this! How lucky!
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