Itineraries

A walk to Dunstanburgh Castle

• Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle: 
  20 mins walk 
  
• Dunstanburgh Castle to High Newton: 
  1 hour walk

Download itinerary: A walk to Dunstanburgh Castle (PDF)

Introduction

Dunstanburgh Castle is one of the most impressive sights on the English Coast. Enjoy this pleasant walk to the castle and continue on to the Low Newton-by-the-Sea and enjoy a drink and a snack in the pretty village square surrounded by white fisherman’s cottages.

The walk

Arriving in Craster, get off the bus in the village. There are toilets at the Tourist Information Centre and a shop, pub and café in the village. At the harbour, head north to follow the signs for the Northumberland Coast Path and you will see the mighty Dunstanburgh Castle ahead of you. Follow the Coast Path to the castle.

After visiting the castle, continue north along the Coast Path. At the golf course you can either follow the path along its edge or head for the beach to get you to Low Newton-by-the-Sea. If you choose the path, be aware of golfers and flying golf balls.

The pretty square of fisherman’s cottages at Low Newton is owned by the National Trust, behind the village, off the Coast Path is Newton Pool, a freshwater pond with birdwatching hides. Why not have lunch at the Ship Inn, the pub in the corner of the Square, it serves snacks at lunchtime, specialising in local produce. It also has its own microbrewery producing superb real ales.

Continue up the hill, along the road, to get to High Newton-by-the-Sea where you can catch the bus home. If you are visiting in spring or summer and have the time why not continue your journey north along the Coast Path to visit the nesting tern colony at Beadnell Bay, the National Trust Warden will be on-hand to show you the birds. You could then continue north and catch the bus from Beadnell.

Essentials

Dunstanburgh Castle is open throughout the year, National Trust and English Heritage members can enter for free. Remember to show your Arriva bus ticket for a 25% discount.

The route is mostly flat on good paths, not suitable for wheelchair users.

It is possible to walk on the beach from Dunstanburgh to Newton, but beware there is a stream to cross.

Bring your binoculars; there is a nature reserve at Low Newton-by-the-Sea.

This section is exposed, wear suitable clothing

Bus Information

Outward to Craster

From Newcastle, Alnwick and Morpeth

501 Coast and Castles Connection, a two-hourly service from Newcastle, Morpeth and Alnwick. A Travelsure 401 also connects Alnwick with Craster.

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 service 35 to connect with the 501 in Morpeth. From Blyth use the service 2 to connect with the 501 in Morpeth.

Return from High Newton

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.

To Berwick-upon-Tweed

501 Coast and Castles Connection, a two-hourly service from Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station to Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Sunday Service / Winter Service

There is a limited Sunday service which may make this itinerary unsuitable on Sundays. In winter some services omit High Newton and the 501 terminates at Bamburgh.

Times

You should allow two hours to walk to Dunstanburgh and visit the Castle. Allow one hour to walk to High Newton via Low Newton, longer if you visit Newton Pool, the pub or dip your toes in the sea.

Online journey planner

Please use the Traveline North East website or call 0871 200 22 33.

Food and drink

Craster has a café and pub that serve food; there is also a small shop to stock up on supplies. Low Newton-by-the-Sea has a pub, the Ship Inn, which offers a lunchtime menu of local produce and their own real ales.

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.

Deals and discounts

English Heritage have kindly offered 25% discount on entry to Dunstanburgh Castle for visitors who have a valid Arriva Bus Ticket

Credits

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.

  - Click to enlarge. This map is included in the PDF download of this route, the link is at the top of this page.