Northumberland Coastal Walks: Craster to Low Newton
A highlight of living in the North East is being only a short drive away from the magnificent Northumberland coastline. In my opinion, this part of the UK coastline is greatly underappreciated. With endless possible coastal and inland routes, Northumberland is the perfect place to get outside and get walking.
The fishing village of Craster is where this particular walk will begin and end. Craster is known around the UK for its locally sourced smoked kippers. Although not for me I hear the best spot to taste the local delicacies is L Robson & Sons, found just a short walk from the harbour. After trying the local fish the next best thing to do in Craster is head out on a coastal walk.
Craster to Low Newton
The start of this trail is found left of Craster Harbour and should be relatively easy to find due to many handy signs throughout the village. It will become rather obvious you are going the correct way as you will be able to see Dunstanburgh Castle in the distance. The first part of this trail heads over working farmland with rock pools along the coast edge. Before turning slightly inland and going around Dunstanburgh Castle, unless of course you wish to stop by this National Trust site.
On the other side of the castle, you will find the Greymare Rock formation, which from April to August is a breeding spot for Kittiwake and Fulmar birds. After passing by the wave-like rock formation head on to Dunstanburgh Golf Course for just a stretch before heading down onto the sands of Embelton Bay.
You will be following this wide stretch of beach all the way to Low Newton, so consider taking off your shoes and sinking into the sand. If you are feeling really brave, Embelton Bay makes for the perfect place for a cold plunge into the North Sea. In the summer months you’ll find hoards of people with buckets, spades, paddle boards and all the equipment for a Northumberland beach day.
It will become quite clear when you have reached Low Newton as the sandy beach stretch ends also you will see the locally famous Ship Inn. Low Newton is so small I’m not even sure it should really be a village. There’s a lovely little square by the pub, a few holiday cottages and a few parked boats. At the halfway point of the trail I encourage stopping at the Ship Inn, especially on a sunny day, it’s a lovely place for a well-deserved pint or bite to eat.
After a pit stop, it’s time to head back. Although you can go back the way you came it’s much more exciting to try a different route. You will find the path around the back of the Ship Inn, you’ll head past a few holiday cottages and a little bit of woodland. Enjoy the views of inland Northumberland on this stretch of the walk and be sure to look out for Newton Pool Nature Reserve.
After a grassy stretch will find yourself heading up and down through the sand dunes. Watch out for high-speed dogs on these sand dunes, I may or may not have been wiped out by one. But hey least sand is kind of soft, more a damage to the ego than the body.
After surviving the high-speed sand dunes, your next danger to watch out for is the golf balls. As you will find yourself back on Dunstanburgh Golf Course and it’s here you pick up the same trail from earlier, taking you back to Craster.
Photo Diary
Nitty Gritty Details
Distance: 7.7 miles/ 12.23 km
Time: 3/4 hours
Terrain: Mostly flat with a few uphill sand dunes
Car Park: Craster Quarry, NE66 3TW