Boxing Day walks here range from an hour on a dog-friendly beach to a half-day on Hadrian's Wall. This guide covers the best Boxing Day walks in Northumberland, dog-friendly pubs to finish at, and short-break accommodation for the twixmas week.
What is twixmas, and why spend it in Northumberland?
Twixmas is the stretch between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, roughly 27 to 30 December, when many people are off work with little planned other than finishing the leftovers. Northumberland suits it well, with empty beaches, big skies, short hops between walks and warm pubs at the end of them.
Winter daylight is short, with sunset at around 3.30pm in late December, so aim to start walking by late morning. For more ideas on making the most of the season, see our guide to Northumberland in winter.
What are the best Boxing Day walks in Northumberland?
The best Boxing Day walks in Northumberland are short, well-marked routes with somewhere warm to eat at the end: Craster to Dunstanburgh on the coast, Bamburgh beach and Beadnell, Allen Banks in the Tyne Valley, and the Steel Rigg section of Hadrian's Wall. For longer routes, browse our full guide to walks in Northumberland, or our pick of winter walks in Northumberland.
Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle
The walk from Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle is about a mile and a half each way along a grassy, mostly level stretch of the Northumberland Coast Path. The ruined castle comes into view almost as soon as you leave the harbour, and much of this coastline is cared for by the National Trust. Sheep and cattle graze the fields, so keep dogs on leads. If you would rather wake up by the sea, Craster Coastal Cabins are a short walk from the start.
Bamburgh, Seahouses and Beadnell beaches
The sands between Bamburgh and Beadnell are wide, firm and quiet in late December, which makes them ideal for a blustery Boxing Day stroll with the dog. Walk beneath Bamburgh Castle and look out to the Farne Islands, then follow the shore south towards Seahouses. Beadnell Towers, in the centre of Beadnell village, is a comfortable base for a few nights on this stretch. Find more dog-friendly beaches in Northumberland in our coastal guide.
Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
Allen Banks is a wooded river gorge near Bardon Mill, looked after by the National Trust, with Victorian paths running along the River Allen. The trees give shelter on wild days, so it is a good choice when the coast is too windy. Paths can be muddy and steep in places, so wear walking boots.
Hadrian's Wall at Steel Rigg
The walk east from Steel Rigg follows some of the most dramatic crags on Hadrian's Wall, above Crag Lough. It is exposed, so check the forecast and turn back if the weather closes in.
Which dog-friendly pubs are open between Christmas and New Year?
Many of Northumberland's country inns open between Christmas and New Year, and several welcome dogs in the bar. Festive opening hours vary from day to day, so check before you set off and book a table for food. Good options include:
- Battlesteads Restaurant & Bar, Wark-on-Tyne: dogs are welcome in the bar, and the hotel has its own dark sky observatory.
- The Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland: dogs are welcome in the vaulted crypt bar, a short walk from the River Derwent and Blanchland Moor.
- The Duke of Wellington Inn, Newton: a Tyne Valley pub near Corbridge where dogs are welcome in the bar area.
- The Drift Cafe, Cresswell: well-behaved dogs are welcome in the heated marquee, right by the long beach at Druridge Bay.
For more ideas, see our round-up of dog-friendly pubs and cafés in Northumberland, or browse our guide to food and drink in Northumberland.
Where can I stay for a short break between Christmas and New Year?
Book early: the twixmas week and New Year are among the busiest times for Northumberland cottages and inns, especially dog-friendly ones. Two or three nights is enough to fit in a coast walk, a hill walk and a long pub lunch.
On the coast, Craster Coastal Cabins and Beadnell Towers put you within reach of the beaches and the coast path. Inland, Battlesteads and the Lord Crewe Arms both have rooms, so you can walk, eat and sleep in the same place. Browse pubs with rooms in Northumberland, our full list of dog-friendly accommodation in Northumberland, or ideas for New Year breaks in Northumberland. Our winter offers page lists current deals on short breaks.
How do I plan a safe winter walk in Northumberland?
Plan a winter walk in Northumberland around daylight, tides and weather. Start early enough to finish before dark, carry a torch if you are setting off later in the afternoon, and pack waterproofs and warm layers even on a bright morning.
- Tides: if you are heading to Holy Island, check the safe crossing times for the causeway before you travel and never cross outside them.
- Dogs: keep dogs on leads near livestock and cliff edges, and bring water and an old towel for the journey home.
- Getting there: most rail services do not run on Boxing Day, and buses run reduced festive timetables. Later in the week, TransPennine Express trains stop at Morpeth, Alnmouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed, and Arriva North East buses link Newcastle with Alnwick and the coast.
What else is there to do between Christmas and New Year?
Beyond walking, the twixmas week is a good time to visit castles, gardens and festive events, many of which run into early January, from Wallington Hall and Gardens, Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, The Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei to Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum and Distillery.
See what is on in our guide to Christmas in Northumberland, and find more ideas in our round-up of things to do at Christmas in Northumberland. Then pull on your boots, pick a beach, a woodland, a stretch of Hadrian’s Wall or one of the other many beautiful destinations in Northumberland, and start the New Year with some fresh air.
