Itineraries

Rocky Reefs & Sandy Havens – Alnmouth

• Duration: 3-4 hours walk from Alnmouth to Craster
• Distance: 14km (8.7 miles)
• Public transport available at Alnmouth & Craster

Download itinerary: Rocky reefs and sandy havens (PDF)

Introduction

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.

The route

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.

From Alnmouth, follow the small road to the north of the golf course. At the small car park, 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 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, turning immediately right to follow the path between the huts. Follow this path, past the farm, then on to Boulmer. 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, before bearing right and following the coastal path, past the Bathing House and Cullernose Point, to Craster.

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.

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 service 1 to connect with the 518 or 472 in Amble. From Blyth use the service 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 / Winter Service

There is a limited Sunday service which may make this itinerary unsuitable on Sundays. In winter the 501 omits Alnmouth Railway Station and terminates at Bamburgh.

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.

Online journey planner

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

Food and drink

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.

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.

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.

- enlarge map. This map is also included in the PDF download, the link is at the top of the page.