Itineraries

Birds by Bus - Coquet Island and Estuary

Arriving in Amble, head for the harbour and follow the signs for Puffin Cruises, to board your boat for the Coquet Island cruise.

You will view the breeding birds at their nesting sites from the islands quay, and also for a longer period from the RSPB mooring in front of the tern colonies. When you return to the harbour, look out for the eider ducks, there should be ducklings by June. Why not try fish and chips from one of the fish and chips shops around the harbour? Be sure to pop into the Amble Tourist Information Centre to find out more about the area.

Head towards the town square and Queen Street, Amble’s main shopping street. Turn left off Queen Street to follow a path over the braid, past the marina and boatyards out onto the estuary.

The estuary is tidal, providing rich mud for wading birds and habitat for wildfowl in winter. In spring the estuary is a stopping off point for migrant waders heading back to the arctic and tundra to breed, herons frequent the weir and occasionally little egrets might be seen, a species which are becoming more common on the Northumberland Coast.

Arriving into Warkworth, follow the main road into the village square, this is where you can catch your bus home, why not enjoy afternoon tea in one of the cafés or a well earned pint of local beer. If you have time, why not visit the 13th Century Warkworth Castle, you can get 25% admission when you show your Arriva bus ticket.

Bus Information

Outward to Amble

From Newcastle and Morpeth

518 Coast and Castles Connection, an-hourly service from Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station via Morpeth

From Alnwick and the North

518 Coast and Castles Connection, an hourly service from Alnwick or service 472 via Shilbottle.

From Ashington and Blyth

From Ashington and Blyth use the service route 1

Return from Warkworth

To Newcastle and Morpeth

518 Coast and Castles Connection, a two-hourly service from Alnwick to Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station via Morpeth.

To Alnwick and the North

518 Coast and Castles Connection, a two-hourly service from Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station to Alnwick. Change at Alnwick for the 501/505 services to Berwick-upon-Tweed via the coast.

To Ashington and Blyth

Use the services 472 or 518 to Amble and change there onto the service route 1.

Sunday Service

The 518 runs hourly on Sundays, other services may be limited on Sundays.

Times

You should allow 1-2 hours for your boat trip, the walk to Warkworth will take about 45 minutes.

Online journey planner

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

Food and drink

Amble has a range of pubs and café’s offering food, there are traditional fish and chip shops around the harbour. Local seafood can be bought from a shop on the harbour.

In Warkworth, there are many pubs and hotels offering lunch and drinks as well as a tearoom. The No.16 Restaurant offers locally sourced food and the Mason’s Arms and Hermitage Inn serve real ale.

Deals and discounts

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

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, opening times of attractions and sailing times to Coquet Island before travel.