10 of the Best Beaches in Northumberland
As the country’s most spacious county, Northumberland is home to a diverse county made up of rugged hills and moors in the west and a stunning, rugged coastline to the east. Northumberland is highly underrated as a coastal holiday spot. Here the beaches stretch for miles untouched, backed by spectacular cliffs and sand dunes, imploring you to visit.
We firmly believe that Northumberland is one of the most rewarding coastal destinations in the UK but at the same time, we understand that you may not be overly familiar with the area due to its remoteness. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best beaches in Northumberland to help you become more familiar with the local offerings.
- 1. Berwick Beach, Berwick-upon-Tweed
- 2. Spittal Beach, Berwick-upon-Tweed
- 3. Cheswick Sands, Cheswick
- 4. Cocklawburn Beach, Berwick-upon-Tweed
- 5. Holy Island Beach, Lindisfarne
- 6. Bamburgh Castle Beach, Northumberland
- 7. Embleton Bay Beach, Embleton
- 8. Alnmouth Beach, Alnmouth
- 9. Druridge Bay Beach, Amble
- 10. Blyth Beach, Blyth
1. Berwick Beach, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Just steps from Berwick Holiday Centre
Berwick-upon-Tweed is a charming town of cobbles, castles, Elizabethan town walls and castle ruins that straddles the border with Scotland. It is home to a lovely sandy beach which lies to the north of the mouth of the River Tweed. The scenic beach which is backed by cliffs becomes huge and atmospheric at low tide, with plenty of interesting rock formations that your dog and kids will love. The river mouth is separated from the beach by a long pier which has a lighthouse at the end overlooking the beach and surrounding area.
Visitors can enjoy fishing and walking from the pier which is also the location of a car park at the end with direct access down to the beach. There’s also another car park and a public toilet next to Magdalene Fields golf club, but the beach is within easy walking distance from our Berwick Holiday Park making it one of our top recommendations for beaches in Northumberland that you should visit.
2. Spittal Beach, Berwick-upon-Tweed
10 minutes from Berwick Holiday Centre
Cross to the south side of the River Tweed and you will find another stunning beach. Spittal Beach is great for walking the dogs, strolling along the promenade in the evening, relaxing on a warm day or watching the sun rise over the beautiful stretch of ocean. If you’re lucky, you might even see the local wildlife whilst you’re there - seals, diving birds and even a pod of dolphins frequent the beach.
The promenade has ice cream stands, amusements and a café where you can enjoy a hot drink while looking at the beautiful views back towards Berwick and ahead to the cliffs at Bear Head. There is free parking on the sea front and some side streets which are easily reached with just a 10-minute drive from our Berwick Holiday Park.
3. Cheswick Sands, Cheswick
10 minutes from Haggerston Castle Holiday Park
18 minutes from Berwick Holiday Centre
Cheswick Sands is a classic beach to the North of Holy Island that is a treat for the senses. The sand feels great under the feet, the lapping of waves is music to the ears, and the views are a real treat for the eyes. This vast beach backed is by huge dunes and skirted by Lindisfarne Nature Reserve at the southern end. It is utterly pristine, without any commercial activity in sight.
The sea is shallow and brilliant for splashing about in, especially for canines. Beware of the tides though as they can come in fast here. These shores are also home to dolphins and whales and you’re sure to see a lot in the way of birdlife. The free parking area is reached via a narrow winding road just off the A1, you’ll then need to head through the dunes to find your destination. However, this is one journey you won’t regret as Cheswick Sands is undoubtedly one of the most scenic beaches in Northumberland.
4. Cocklawburn Beach, Berwick-upon-Tweed
16 minutes from Haggerston Castle Holiday Park
17 minutes from Berwick Holiday Centre
This beach is a lovely clean stretch of sand and rock that is a little off the tourist route but is well worth a visit for a scenic walk or a paddle/surf in the North Sea.
The beach is accessed through winding paths over the dunes, some of which are quite steep so access can be a little difficult for wheelchair users. There are two car parks and if you’re like you may an ice cream van parked up in the summer months if you’re in need of refreshment.
5. Holy Island Beach, Lindisfarne
17 minutes from Haggerston Castle Holiday Park (check Holy Island Causeway tide times)
It doesn’t get much more adventure filled than exploring a beach on a remote island. Cut off from the rest of the world, Holy Island (Lindisfarne), is a scenic and mysterious tidal island off the coast of Northumberland. This mysterious island off Northumberland’s coast becomes inaccessible when the tide washes over its causeway twice a day so make sure to check safe crossing times for the Holy Island Causeway before making your visit.
As well as charming cafes, plenty of facilities, and historic sites, Lindisfarne also has several excellent beaches. The most well-known of these is Holy Island beach that enjoys wonderful views of the 16th-century castle and medieval priory. There are several upside boats that have been turned into storage sheds, giving the area a quirky feel. You can build your own stone tower on the beach to add to the many left by previous visitors and walk round the remains of the old lime kilns.
Holy Island can easily be reached from Haggerston Castle Holiday Park, one of Haven’s most scenic holiday parks complete with an actual castle and serene lake views as well as plenty of entertainment for the kids.
6. Bamburgh Castle Beach, Northumberland
22 minutes from Haggerston Castle Holiday Park
Bamburgh Castle and its surrounding beach have been playing host to people for centuries. The present-day pristine stretch of sand combines with an age-old place in Northumberland’s history to bring you one of the top beach experiences the UK has to offer. Overlooking the North Sea, the area is a delight to discover all-year round, with walks taking you along the untouched coast. You’ll see the beautiful Farne Islands in the distance. The archipelago is uninhabited and the number of islands that appear depends on the tidal level. The wind often picks up here, generating waves that are ideal for surfing. When the weather is calm, the beach is a delight for families to relax.
Around the sand, the castle is undoubtedly the centrepiece. Standing in various forms over the course of 1,400 years is something to shout loud about. The present structure has been standing since the 14th-century, standing high above the beach to give its previous occupants a great view of the horizon. You’d be forgiven for thinking it's out of place in the present-day peace, but a visit makes it easy to see why this structure was so strategically important. The beach has played an important part in safety at sea, with the world’s first lifeboat being used here.
7. Embleton Bay Beach, Embleton
37 minutes from Haggerston Castle Holiday Park
The gentle sweep of Embleton Bay is a magnificent sight, combine that with crystal clear waters, fabulous views of Dunstanburgh Castle and acres of perfect sand and you’re laughing! This is a lesser-known beach compared with the other castle-side offering at Bamburgh, meaning that even when the weather is fantastic, you’re likely to have the beach practically to yourself!
Most of the length is soft sand and at low tide a generous swathe of harder sand, ideal for walking. No lifeguards operate on the beach and the waters of the North Sea can be quite bitter, so only brave the waters if you are a strong swimmer. At high tide the water can reach to the base of the flora-filled dunes but there is a good path that undulates through them allowing you to return to the beach at different intervals. Parking is free on the road, but this gets bust from late morning onwards in the summer holidays. The church and 18th-century pub in the village of Low Newton are also well-worth visiting if you fancy stretching your legs for some history and/or refreshment.
8. Alnmouth Beach, Alnmouth
43 minutes from Haggerston Castle Holiday Park
Alnmouth Beach is located on the North Northumberland Heritage Coast, and adjacent to the Northumberland Coast Path. It is a quiet, relaxing, sandy beach in a rural setting away from the hustle and bustle that provides plenty of bird watching opportunities along the sand dunes. The width of the bay mean that a wind breaker may be necessary for extended relaxation sessions on this beach, as the area is prone to strong breezes!
Alnmouth itself is a pretty village of pastel-coloured houses with a homely feel in its shops and cafes. There are plenty of nice eateries close by for refreshments and free parking on the road, but this is limited so we recommend using the Beach Car Park, operated by the council, which is pay & display.
9. Druridge Bay Beach, Amble
The beach at Druridge Bay is a seven-mile-long stretch of golden sand that runs south from Amble down to Cresswell. The curved beach is lovely to walk along, and you will discover the remnants of Second World War defences, birdlife such as golden plover and purple sandpipers as well as surfers and kite surfers on the waters. There are great views down the coast on a clear day.
A short walk from the access road behind the dunes will take you to an area where you can park on the verges bordering the road. We recommend walking down to Cresswell and for an ice-cream at the little shop there or, alternatively, walk towards the lovely town of Amble where you can find further refreshments and restaurants for a proper sit-down meal made with local ingredients.
10. Blyth Beach, Blyth
Blyth is home to a lovely sandy beach, with a promenade and a long strip of golden sand. There are plenty of photo opportunities at the colourful Blyth Beach Huts will provide you plenty of instagramable photo opportunities, while the gun emplacements will be of interest to the kids. There are plenty of natural wonders at Blyth which is not only backed by an area of Special Nature Conservation in the form of a system of sand dunes but is also a spot from which dolphins can be seen out at sea.
You will find ample free parking and some of the tastiest fish & chips in the North East at “Coastline”. We recommend you eat on the beach itself as fish & chips always taste nicer with a coastal backdrop and the fresh sea salt smell in the air!
Start planning your Great British break
Related Posts
Beaches in the North East
Best beaches in Northumberland
Dog-friendly beaches in Northumberland
Important information
Brand new holiday homes from £34,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 19 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Church Farm, Cala Gran, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Seashore, Seaview and Thornwick Bay.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £33,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton Extra holiday and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £33,995 and will remain at this price until all available stock is sold.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at Berwick, Burnham-on-Sea, Devon Cliffs, Doniford Bay, Hafan y Mor, Kent Coast, Lakeland, Marton Mere, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Seton Sands and Weymouth Bay.
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Combe Haven, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Golden Sands, Greenacres, Haggerston Castle, Skegness, The Orchards, Quay West and Wild Duck only until the stock has been sold. Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £29,995 – reduced from £33,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton Extra holiday and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £29,995 until 31 August 2024 at which point it will revert to £33,995. At Far Grange the holiday home price point is reduced from £33,995 and will revert to this price on 31 August 2024.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at – Blue Dolphin, Caister-on-Sea, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Haggerston Castle, The Orchards, Quay West, and Wild Duck
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £19,995
Holiday home price is based on a Bronze Grade pre-owned holiday home 6 years or older and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Cala Gran, Church Farm, Cardigan View, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Orchards, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Riviere Sands, Seashore, Seaview, Skegness and Thornwick Bay.
Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Free 2024 site fees when you buy a Haven holiday home
Offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven from 19 April 2024, completing by 31 December 2024.
Offer excludes part-exchanges or private sales. Available on new & pre-owned holiday homes at the following selected parks only: Kent Coast, Burnham-on-Sea, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Hopton, Orchards, Skegness and Wild Duck.
A credit equivalent to the value of your site fees due during the 2024 season will be applied to your account balance on completion of your purchase for use against your running costs e.g. utilities, after-sale add-ons e.g storage boxes or site fees. It cannot be applied to your purchase or refunded in cash.
Subject to availability and status. Deposit required. Access to your holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Full site fees will be payable for subsequent years.
Images are shown for representational purposes.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.