Cresswell - Warkworth
The route starts in Cresswell village and follows 8 miles of the sandy Druridge bay to the fishing port of Amble.  Offshore, Coquet Island, can be seen, where there are large seabird colonies. The river Coquet is then followed upstream to Warkworth, dominated by Warkworth castle, the ancient seat of the Percy family.

Warkworth - Craster
On leaving Warkworth, the route quickly returns to the beach and onwards to Alnmouth.  The Aln Estuary provides an important habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.  Alnmouth was once Northumberland's major port, today's hotels and guesthouses were once vast silos storing wheat.

Continuing north, the path passes through Boulmer, one of the only true remaining Northumberland fishing villages, having changed very little in over 100 years. It's then on to Craster, another fishing village dating back to the 17th century, famous for the kippers produced in the village smokehouse.

Craster - Seahouses
An hour beyond Craster, the route reaches the imposing ruins of  Dunstanburgh Castle, originally built in the 14th Century by Thomas Earl of Lancaster. Puffins and guillemots nest on the cliffs below.

The rest of this section is characterised by the 2 long sandy beaches of Embleton and Beadnell Bays, a haven for birdwatchers and beach goers!  Low Newton is home to sea and shore birds, whilst the nearby pool with its bird hide is a good place to see wildfowl, especially in winter.

Beyond Beadnell the route continues along the coast to Seahouses, once an important fishing port and now a centre for the local tourist industry.  Boats can be taken from the harbour to the Farne Islands, a cluster of small islands lying just offshore.

Seahouses - Belford
From Seahouses harbour head towards the village centre to then pick up the coastal path towards Bamburgh.  Founded in 547 by King Ida, Bamburgh was once the capital of ancient kingdom of Northumbria.  Perched on a basalt outcrop, Bamburgh Castle now dominates the village.

Just after Bamburgh you will reach the vast sands of Budle Bay, a  National Nature Reserve and an important habitat for waterfowl. Holy Island and Lindisfarne Castle can be seen across the water.  

Belford - Fenwick
The quiet village of Belford sits below the Kyloe Hills on the fringe of the fertile Northumberland coastal plain. A change of scenery follows as our route heads inland, woodland and farmland replacing seascapes.  The route briefly visits the hills and passes close to the dramatic sandstone overhang of St. Cuthbert's Cave.  Near to Fenwick you will pass through Kyloe Old Wood, which in the 19th Century was owned by the Leyland family of nearby Haggerston Castle. 

Fenwick - Holy Island   (Optional day)
Originally known as Lindisfarne, Holy Island is only accessible at low tide, either by the  causeway or by the Pilgrims' Way across the sands.  As well as it's many historic attractions, Holy Island is situated at the heart of the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve. If you wish to take this option, please select a rest day at Beal or Fenwick. (The Castle is closed on Monday's).

Fenwick - Berwick-upon-Tweed
The final stage starts near the causeway to Holy Island, it then heads north through some of the remotest areas of the coast.  Cliff top paths and more beaches lead to historic Berwick-upon-Tweed, the  capital of the Borders, with its magnificent town walls, spectacular riverside and three bridges, the oldest of which was built in 1624.