Many people would like to keep these beaches secret, so this information risks annoying otherwise polite and well-behaved folk. The truth is that Northumberland’s beaches are magnificently soft and sandy, wonderfully wild and blissfully uncommercialised. They’re not beaches for rows of deckchairs – windbreaks are more useful – but they are beaches for blustery walks, kite-flying, stand-up paddleboarding and (very fresh) swimming. Bird-spotters, rock-poolers and wildlife-watchers will be happily distracted. Dogs will be beside themselves with frisky joy (keep them on leads around bird breeding grounds), as will anyone who seeks a bit of solitary horizon-gazing. The only downside is that few are accessible by public transport.
All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best beaches in Northumberland. Find out more below, or for more Northumberland inspiration, see our guides to the region’s best hotels, restaurants, pubs and things to do.
Alnmouth Beach
This beach, found at what is possibly the coast’s most attractive village, stretches over two miles north from the River Aln estuary. Soft and sandy, it’s popular for sandcastle-building, dog-walking and family games, though swimming is not recommended, especially near the estuary.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R25ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R45ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeHow to get there: Four miles from the A1 at Alnwick, or a mile from the coastal A1068. Alnmouth railway station is also a mile away.Insider tip: A good beach for an evening stroll followed by a drink in the village.
The white sands and grassy knolls of Alnmouth are backed onto by one of the county’s prettiest coastal villages - Marc Guitard/GettyBeadnell Bay
With its gentle curve, Beadnell Bay is a long-time family favourite – and one to pack your windbreak, bucket-and-spade and games paraphernalia for. If you want to try surfing, stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking, KA Adventure Sports have a base in the car park.
How to get there: Beadnell village is on the coastal road B1340, five miles south of Bamburgh.Insider tip: The northern curve of the beach almost faces west making it a good spot for sunset-watching.
Bamburgh Beach
Stretching below the mighty Bamburgh Castle, and across from the Farne Islands, this three-mile-long beach is deservedly popular. Soft pinky-golden sands, sheltered dunes, bracing swims, an appetite-whetting walk to Seahouses, plus surfing and stand-up paddleboarding opportunities, make this beach a crowd-pleaser.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2dekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4dekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeHow to get there: Four miles to the east of the A1, mid-way between Alnwick and Berwick-upon-Tweed.Insider tip: Walk north, over the headland and golf course, to the lesser-visited, birdlife-rich sands and mudflats of Budle Bay.
With its imposing castle overlooking soft, sheltered sands, Bamburgh is one of Northumberland’s most popular beaches - Stuart BoultonLow Newton-by-the-Sea Beach
A small curve of a beach, located opposite the village green and its pub, this stretch of sand offers something for everyone whether you want to paddle, windsurf, build sandcastles, go rock-pooling or bird-watch (there’s a bird reserve behind the village).
How to get there: From the coastal B1340, nine miles north of Alnwick, follow the narrow road just over a mile.Insider tip: There’s a car park just above the village or free parking at High Newton-by-the-Sea, a 15-minute walk away.
Druridge Bay
At seven miles, Druridge is not only the longest beach, but also the only one with a visitor centre, offering the most variety. Set around a lake (a former open-cast coal mine), the centre has a café, bathrooms and a children’s playground, while the long stretch of dune-backed sand has two nature reserves.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2lekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4lekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeHow to get there: The visitor centre is sign-posted off the A1068 between Ashington and Amble and there is road access from several points.Insider tip: The Lookout Café at Hauxley Nature Reserve makes brilliant scones.
Druridge is flanked by grassy dunes and two separate nature reserves - Anita Nicholson/GettyWarkworth Beach
Not visible from Warkworth, and thus often missed by visitors, this beach is a 15-minute walk from the village (or there’s a car park near the golf course). A long sandy beach that’s good for walking, most people head north, negotiating a rocky promontory towards the River Aln estuary.
How to get there: Warkworth is two miles north of Amble on the brown-signed ‘Coastal Route’.Insider tip: At the northern end, Church Hill has a ruined chapel and terrific views over the coast towards Coquet Island and its enchanting puffins.
Embleton Bay
It’s only a 10-minute walk from Embleton village, but the beach is hidden from view until you’ve crossed a golf course and crested the dunes. The small, gentle curve of sand is bounded by the stark ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle to the south, which makes for an easy, if breezy, walk.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2tekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R4tekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeHow to get there: Follow the brown-signed “Coastal Route” to Embleton, eight miles north of Alnwick.Insider tip: Fill up on picnic goodies from Embleton’s excellent Village Farm Shop.
Dunstanburgh Castle looms on the horizon overlooking Embleton’s gentle sandy sweepCheswick and Goswick Sands
These two beaches, starting around five miles south of Berwick-upon-Tweed, segue into one another offering empty, runway-flat sands that seem to stretch all the way to Holy Island (an illusion, obviously, as there’s water in-between). Part of the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, it’s home to ringed plover, terns and oystercatchers. Dolphins have even been spotted.
How to get there: Follow signs to Cheswick and Goswick from the A1; around two miles.Insider tip: Goswick Golf Club has a café open to visitors, but Cheswick has better parking.
Cocklawburn Beach
The most northerly beach of the list, just three miles south of Berwick-upon-Tweed, Cocklawburn is a mix of sand and rocks backed by dunes and low cliffs. It is good for rock-pooling and beach-combing – you might even find crinoids (fossil animals) and semi-precious, orangey-red carnelians as you stroll.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R35ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R55ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeHow to get there: Take the Scremerston turning from the A1 and follow the narrow road across the railway line to the coastInsider tip: In summer there’s often an ice cream van parked up above the cliffs.
Cocklawburn’s rocky beach is ideal for beach-combing – keep an eye out for fossils and gems - BerndBrueggemann/GettyRoss Back Sands
One of the area’s most remote beaches, Ross Back Sands is reached via a one-mile walk from the cottages at Ross. Its location makes it ideal for those in search of quiet; it could be just you and the three-mile-long beach, which boasts views north to Lindisfarne Castle and south to towering Bamburgh Castle.
How to get there: Three miles to the east of the A1, on narrow roads on the north side of Budle Bay.Insider tip: Grey seals sometimes haul themselves out at the northern end; approach carefully and keep your distance (and keep dogs on a lead).
How we choose
Every beach in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We consider a range of needs and styles, from lively bar-lined beachfronts to quiet coves – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest developments and provide up to date recommendations.
About our expert
My introduction to Northumberland was pretending to be a Roman centurion on a childhood Hadrian’s Wall holiday. Now, living near the Wall, I’ve discovered far more; not least horizon-stretching views, puffins, crab sandwiches, and wild, empty beaches.
Helen Pickles, Telegraph Travel’s Northumberland expert - Asadour GuzelianBroaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
