Northumberland Coastal Path

• Northumberland is England’s northernmost county, right at the top of England. Bordering Scotland there is a long and interesting history to discover.
• It is the birthplace of Earl Grey tea, it was blended in Northumberland in the 1830s at the request of Lady Grey, wife of former Prime Minister Earl Grey.
• Northumberland has more castles than any other English county, it is a legacy of the rich history of this region.
• The Northumberland Coast is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This does not come as a surprise with its well-balanced mix of long beaches, sandy dunes, cliffs and islands.

Q: When is the best time of year to walk along the Northumberland Coast?

A: This coastal walk is best enjoyed between spring and autumn. Traditionally, April and May have been the most popular time of year to walk the route, as the theory goes that the weather is better. In our opinion, anywhere between April and September should offer a wonderful experience.

Q: What fitness level is required to fully enjoy this experience?

A: This is a low-level route with very few climbs, nothing that involves too much ascent/descent and perfect for the regular walker. Depending on the chosen itinerary the grade of this trip is either easy to moderate or moderate. The path follows the rugged coastline and apart from a small inland detour between Belford and the Holy Island, you are right by the sea for most of your walk.

Q: Where can I sample the local speciality ‘kipper’?

A: There is some disagreement to where the kipper was invented, there is a contender from Craster and one from Seahouses, further along the coast. The Robson family in Craster has been smoking kipper since the 1900s and you can sample some in the Craster Seafood Restaurant. Enjoy far-reaching views of the wild North Sea and the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle to the north whilst enjoying this speciality!

Q: How do I get to the Farne Islands?

A: To get to the rocky Farne Islands you can hop on a boat from the harbour town of Seahouses. There are 28 islands, of which 3 are accessible: Inner Farne, Staple (May-July only), and Longstone. We highly recommend an extra day to discover the islands and meet the local population of puffins and seals.

For more information, please read our blog called frequently asked questions about walking the Northumberland Coast.

Macs Adventure has been running self-guided walking holidays along the Northumberland Coastal Path since 2011. It was our fourth trip to be added to our collection of national trails in Northern England. The coastal route takes you through a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, visiting the unspoiled, deserted beaches of Northumberland.

Having multiple itineraries we want to give you the freedom to choose your route, itinerary and travel companions and to take each walk at your own pace. We offer tried and tested Northumberland experiences that get you in comfortable, friendly overnight accommodation in local B&Bs and guesthouses. We carry your bags to lighten your load so you can concentrate on simply putting one foot in front of the other and enjoying the unique culture, food and scenery of Northern England. You can book with confidence that we have it all covered for you. 

We want to showcase our expertise, by giving you all the resources you will ever need. In the planning stage, we have blogs for you to read and a host of staff that has visited the Northumberland region - ready to share their walking experiences! On the route, we use high-quality digital mapping as well as the best maps and guidebooks to make sure you find your way.  

We love the Northumberland Coastal Path and our main aim is to make sure that you do too.