- Overview
- Trip Outline
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
- Gallery
A wild landscape that also offers a moderate walking experience mixed with some of the most fascinating historical sites England has to offer. Start your walk from the fishing village of Cresswell to your first castle of the holiday - Warkworth Castle. Each day you'll pass through wonderful seaside villages all with working harbours - Alnmouth, Boulmer and Craster. Don't forget to sample some of the famous Craster kippers if you are a fish fan! The dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle loom above Embleton and you'll reach Seahouses hopefully in time for some cracking fish and chips. A highlight must be Bamburgh Castle followed by Holy Island's Lindisfarne.
Possible day trip extensions include the fabulous Alnwick Castle where much of the original Harry Potter films were filmed and a boat trip to the Farne Island to see the puffins in May, June and early July - you must book well in advance though.Â
Highlights
- Soak in the history along with the breeze from the North Sea as you walk along vast golden beaches
- Ancient castles en-route including Warkworth, Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh
- The unforgettable journey on foot across the causeway to Holy Island and Lindisfarne priory
- Overnights in bustling fishing villages and towns - great kippers, hearty ales and good local Northumbrian company
- Optional day trips – from the iconic Alnwick Castle to the puffin colonies on the Farne Islands
Itineraries
Day 1
Arrival in Ellington
Arrival in the small town of Ellington. There's no accommodation in Cresswell, so you'll stay in Ellington on your first night. Ellington is just a 45 minute bus journey from Newcastle. There are trains to Newcastle from London (3 hrs), Manchester (2 hrs 30) and Edinburgh (2 hrs). Plus there's an international and domestic airport in Newcastle.Â
Accommodation: The Plough Inn in Ellington. You may be placed in nearby villages if The Plough is full.
Day 2
Walk Cresswell to Warkworth
Ellington is just 30 minutes walking from Cresswell so that will be your first destination after breakfast. There will be a transfer if you are booked outside Ellington. At Cresswell you'll get your first hit of golden sweeping sands as you follow sweeping Druridge Bay, reaching the small fishing village of Amble. Keep your eyes out for birdlife as the area is home to several nature reserves. From Amble, it's just a short walk to the ancient village of Warkworth and your first castle of the trip, the impressive Warkworth Castle. Warkworth village was an ancient fortified village and today it has plenty of craft shops, pubs and cafes so as well as the castle, there's a lot to see that makes it worth timing your arrival for early afternoon.Â
Accommodation: Bertam's B&B or Warkworth House Hotel
Walk: 10.5 miles / 17km
Day 3
Walk Warkworth to Craster
Today you'll walk between Northumbrian fishing villages and sea-side resorts, all bustling with local life. The charming Alnmouth is first and its a well-preserved picturesque resort which is well worth a wander around its quaint streets and little shops. Again, get your binoculars out for great birdlife at the Aln Estuary. Then its onto the old fishing town of Boulmer - depending on the timing of your arrival you might see crab, lobsters and sea salmon coming ashore. Finally it's the extremely pretty Craster where, if you eat fish, you should seek out the traditional smoky Craster kippers for a quick snack.
Accommodation: Accommodation in Craster is quite limited so you may be transferred back to Warkworth and then back to Craster the next day.Â
Extension day: It's possible to stay 1 night in Alnmouth and walk to visit the magnificent Alnwick Castle. In which case you might stay 2 nights in Alnmouth.
Walk: 13 miles / 20.9 km
Day 4
Walk Craster to Seahouses
Not long into your morning's walk, you'll reach one of the most dramatic ruins along the Northumbrian Coast, Dunstanburgh Castle. The walk along the beach here is one of our favourites and don't miss popping into the renowned Ship Inn at the National Trust maintained fishing hamlet of Low Newton-by-the-Sea. Although rather too early in the walk for lunch, it's worth a stop. Opening hours from April to September are from 1100. But note it's shut on Sunday outside July and August. Then it's onwards along wonderful Embleton beach with your finish point the working sea-port of Seahouses.Â
Accommodation: Bamburgh Castle Inn or equivalent.
Extension day: A highly recommended day trip from Seahouses is the boat trip to the Farne Islands, the most famous bird sanctuary in the British Isles. The islands are home to an abundance of wildlife including puffins from May to early July. It's worth adding an extra day in Seahouses in order to visit the Islands but you must book well ahead to avoid disappointment in puffin season.
Walk: 10 miles / 16km
Day 5
Walk Seahouses to Belford
Shortly after leaving Seahouses, you'll arrive at the mightiest castle of the entire coast path - the magnificent Bamburgh Castle. Make sure to take plenty of photos from the beach - the proud castle rearing above the sand-dunes has regularly been voted England's favourite view. The castle is worth a visit too despite the rather steep entry price! From here you can carry on around Budle Bay - again another paradise for birders - along a new section of the King Charles III Coast Path before heading inland to Belford for your overnight or transfer back to Seahouses.Â
Accommodation: Bamburgh Castle Inn or equivalent.
Walk: 11 miles / 17.5km
Day 6
Walk Belford to Fenwick
A short day today with some inland farmland walking; from Kyloe Ridge you'll be rewarded with stunning views of Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island. You're also following part of the historical St Cuthbert's Way today so a short side trip to see St Cuthbert's Cave is highly recommended. This is the reputed site where St Cuthbert's body was taken when the monks had to flee from the Vikings savage raid on Lindisfarne.Â
Accommodation: Lindisfarne Inn or Fenwick B&B. There are limited facilities in Fenwick but your B&B will run you to the pub for your evening meal.
If you have taken extension days and need to shorten your itinerary, we can remove this day to keep your trip within 8/9 days duration and a week's annual leave.Â
Walk: 11 miles / 17.5km
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Day 7
Walk Fenwick to Berwick-upon-Tweed
Start by checking the times the causeway will be open for your walk over to Holy Island. You must take these into account before choosing your date for your walking holiday if the trip across to Holy Island is an essential part of your itinerary.https://holyislandcrossingtimes.northumberland.gov.uk/ There are a few days each month when the causeway closes by 11am and that isn't enough time for you to safely visit. If the causeway is closing by 1200 please ask for an early breakfast so you can strike out early. The tide will come in fast.Â
Afterwards you will follow some cliff top paths with great views to the historic town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Take time to explore the old rampart defences and its ancient town walls. This is the largest town in Northumberland and a feisty contrast to the little villages you have visited on your trip.
Accommodation: Tweed View House, Cowrie Guest House or equivalent
Extension day: if you have fixed departure week and want to visit Holy Island we can arrange for an extension day and additional transfer for you.Â
Walk: 12 miles / 19km
Day 8
Departure
The trip ends after breakfast when you depart the accommodation.
7 nights' accommodation (small hotels, lodges, pubs, and B&Bs)
7 breakfasts
One piece of luggage per person transferred between accommodations, not exceeding 20kg
24-hour telephone assistance
Digital information pack including Navigational App, maps and route notes
Travel to the start point and from the finish point
Travel insurance (required)
Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
Entrance fees and attractions
Personal equipment
Personal expenses, including laundry and phone calls
Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
Excess luggage charges
Single room or solo traveller supplements, where applicable
Guiding services – this is a self-guided holiday
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