Rocky Reefs & Sandy Havens – A walk from Alnmouth to Craster

Discover this beautiful section of the Northumberland Coast Path. From the ancient port of Alnmouth, head north to Boulmer, a former smugglers haven. The rocky shore beyond has hidden sandy havens, ideal for a picnic and a paddle. The route then passes Cullernose Point, a seabird colony in summer, before reaching Craster, home of the famous Kipper.

Seaton Point (© Gavin Duthie)

Rumbling Kern and the Bathing House (©

Gavin Duthie)

Essentials

This walk is 14km (8.7 miles) in length

The route is mostly flat on good paths, not

suitable for wheelchair users.

Between Foxton Hall and Seaton Point, the

path is on the beach which may be covered at

high tide, check the tide times here.

Bring your binoculars, the coast here is a good

place to see many species of birds.

This section is exposed, wear suitable clothing

and boots.

When crossing the golf course, beware of

flying golf balls.

Use Ordnance Survey Map 332, Alnwick and

Amble

A guidebook to the Northumberland Coast

Path is available at Tourist Information

Centres or online from here.

From Alnmouth to Craster, follow the

Northumberland Coast Path signs and way

markers.

The pretty square of fisherman’s cottages at Low Newton is owned by the National Trust,

If you would like to further explore Alnmouth, there is an excellent guidebook to more walks in the area called ‘Alnmouth on foot’. It is available from local retailers and tourist information centres. Visit www.alnmouthwalks.co.uk for further

information about the walks.

Route/Description

You can start this walk at either Alnmouth Station or Alnmouth Village. From the Railway Station, head downhill along South View to the roundabout, continue straight ahead, an follow the roadside path towards Alnmouth. Once over the bridge, turn immediately right and follow Lover’s Walk around the Estuary to the Village Centre.

Aln Estuary © Gavin Duthie From Alnmouth, follow the small road to the north of the golf course. At the small car

park (6), bear left uphill and follow the path to the next golf course (beware of flying golf balls). Please follow the way mark arrows across the golf course, around the clubhouse (7) and onto the road. Turn right and head to the beach. The path is on the beach here and there is no inland alternative. Take care when the tide is high. Leave the beach via the concrete steps (8), turning immediately right to follow the path between the huts. Follow this path, past the farm, then on to Boulmer (9). Continue through Boulmer heading north along the coastal track. The route takes you past Howdiemont and Sugar Sands, ideal places for picnic and a paddle. Cross the footbridge over the Howick Burn (10), before bearing right and following the coastal path, past the Bathing House (11) and Cullernose Point (12), to Craster.

Enjoy a pint at the end of your walk © Gavin Duthie

The Northumberland and Berwickshire coast is a wonderful area to visit with lots to learn and enjoy. ‘Our Coast Our Sea’ aims to make it even better, offering inspiring ideas for your visit and helping you discover providers of exciting activities for adults and children.

Map

Use Ordnance Survey

Explorer map number 332 –

Alnwick and Amble

Coast Path at Boulmer © Gavin Duthie

Stormy seas at the Bathing House

© Gavin Duthie

Bus Information Outward to Alnmouth

From Newcastle, Alnwick and Morpeth 501/505/518 Coast and Castles Connection, an hourly service from Newcastle, Morpeth and Alnwick. From Berwick-upon-Tweed and Seahouses 501 Coast and Castles Connection, a two-hourly service from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station. From Ashington and Blyth

From Ashington use the 1 to connect with the 518 or 472 in Amble. From Blyth use the 2 to connect with the 501 in Morpeth. Return from Craster To Newcastle, Alnwick and Morpeth (change at Morpeth for Ashington and Blyth)

501 Coast and Castles Connection, a two-hourly service from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station via Alnwick and Morpeth. A Travelsure 401 connects Craster with Alnwick . To Berwick-upon-Tweed

501 Coast and Castles Connection, a two-hourly service from Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station to Berwick-upon-Tweed. . A Travelsure 401 connects Craster with Bamburgh Sunday Service

There is a limited Sunday service which may make this itinerary unsuitable on Sundays.

Times

You should allow 3 ½ hours to walk from Alnmouth to Craster, longer if you visit the pub or dip your toes in the sea. Trains – You could use the train to get the start point, Alnmouth is well served by East Coast and

CrossCountry Trains.

Plan Your Journey

Which Ticket is best for me?

for services north of Alnwick on Arriva and Travelsure buses: North Northumberland Discover (Day ticket) £5.50 North Northumberland Passport (weekly ticket) £18.00 Arriva Day Ticket - travel all day for £6.50 Arriva Family Day ticket, two adults and up to three children £12 NE Explorer – All day with any operator in NE £8.00 NE Family Explorer £16.00

Food and Drink

.

Further Information

Craster Community Website

Our Coast Our Sea – Alnmouth

Our Coast Our Sea - Boulmer

Our Coast Our Sea - Craster

Alnmouth Walks

Alnmouth Village Website

Alnmouth Station

Arriva

Northumberland Coast AONB

Visit Northumberland

North Sea Trail

The FBI at Boulmer © Gavin Duthie

Take the taste of the coast home with you

There is a traditional smokehouse in Craster, L Robson &

Sons, producers of the legendary Craster Kipper. Here you can

purchase a range of specially selected, finest quality seafood,

and also find out why this unique family business has been

producing some of the world's finest smoked salmon and

kippers for almost 100 years.

This Itinerary has been prepared by the Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership. If you have any

suggestions or comments regarding the itinerary or bus travel on the Northumberland Coast please call us

on 01665 511206 or email: CoastAONB@northumberland.gov.uk .

Although the information provided in this itinerary is currently correct services may be subject to change and the Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership or Arriva cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies We recommend that you check the bus and opening times of attractions before travel.

Alnmouth has a range of pubs and café’s serving food and

drink. There is also an excellent grocers/delicatessen to stock up before your walk. Midway along the route, the Fishing Boat Inn at Boulmer serves food and drink. Craster has a café and pub that serve food; there is also a

small shop to stock up on supplies.