Where every mile brings quiet beauty, ancient history, and salt-laced air.
The Northumberland Coast Path is a 62-mile (100 km) National Trail that winds along one of England’s most unspoiled and dramatic coastlines — from Cresswell in the south to Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north. It’s a walk of shifting skies, sandy bays, and centuries-old stories, ideal for self-guided walking holidays filled with fresh air, solitude, and scenery.
You’ll pass crumbling castles, seabird-strewn cliffs, working harbours, and stretches of beach where the only footprints may be your own. The route crosses the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering a perfect balance of gentle terrain and wild atmosphere.
Distance: 62 miles (100 km)
Start point: Cresswell, Northumberland
End point: Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland
Time required: 4 to 6 days
Waymarking: Coast & Castles symbol (blue/white arrow)
Terrain: Beaches, dunes, farmland tracks, coastal paths, occasional road sections
Accessibility: Moderate; mostly easy walking, with a few longer sections
Begin at Cresswell, near the golden sweep of Druridge Bay, and follow the coast past Amble and Warkworth, where the River Coquet meets the sea under the shadow of a medieval castle.
Continue through Alnmouth, Boulmer, and Craster, where Dunstanburgh Castle rises like a ruin from a dream. Seahouses and Bamburgh follow — with ferry links to the Farne Islands, vast beaches, and some of England’s most iconic seascapes.
North of Bamburgh, walk to Beadnell, Newton-by-the-Sea, and Embleton, before reaching the tidal causeway to Holy Island (Lindisfarne) — one of Britain’s most atmospheric spiritual sites.
The final leg leads through wild dune systems and saltmarsh to Berwick-upon-Tweed, a historic border town rich in heritage and dramatic views.
Accommodation is plentiful and varied — from cosy B&Bs in Alnmouth or Seahouses to coastal inns and hideaways in smaller villages like Craster and Beadnell. The path is ideal for car-free walkers, with good public transport links and optional transfers.
Off the path, explore bird sanctuaries at Coquet Island or Budle Bay, visit historic sites like Warkworth Castle or Lindisfarne Priory, or simply lose yourself in the wind and waves.
Trusted tour companies offer self-guided walking holidays along the Northumberland Coast Path — with accommodation, luggage transfers, and detailed route notes.
