The Greens go to Druridge Bay

The Greens go to Druridge Bay

Northumberland July 2nd

Several gadgies are away on holiday, others have domestic duties so a walk has been postponed.

To make up for it I'm joining the Greens of Gosforth for a coast and country stroll which starts at Druridge Bay.

Head north on the A189 Which becomes the A1068, go past the sign for Druridge Bay and turn right after about a mile, heading for the coast. Turn right at the coast and there is a car park, enjoy it.

A two map job:

OS Explorer 332 Alnwick and Amble

OS Explorer 335 Morpeth and Blyth

And a map is advisable, some well hidden footpaths on the walk.

              Car park with a glimpse of the sea too.

  Once all eleven of us had assembled and booted up we set off south walking on the beach as the tide was out. The sand was quite firm, soft sand is not too easy on the feet and legs.

 Just another beautiful Northumberland beach. 

                     No hotels, no rows of sun loungers, just sand.

After about a mile we left the beach and went into the Druridge Bay Country Park which has lakes, visitor centre and toilets. And lots of families out for the day, some in canoes too.

                                         Druridge Bay Country Park.

We walked round the edge of Ladyburn Lake. At a narrow point a set of stepping stones provided a short cut but some of us took the path round and over the small burn.

                          Good for you mum.

We followed the footpath, turning left (mile 2) and made use of the subway under the A1068. From here we walked the edges of several fields, some with wheat and some with rye. The footpath was covered with long grass which has a nasty habit of undoing bootlaces and tripping walkers up.

At the village of Togston the footpath went past allotments before reaching the main street.

Little green park in little Togston.

The footpath went off the main street, narrow and shaded by trees, brambles reached out for innocent walkers too. Eventually we reached a footpath cross roads (mile 5). The crossroads are on the St. Oswald's Way, he is always cropping up, but we turned right and followed a green lane all the way to Amble. Warkworth Castle was nearby. In Amble we walked down the street to a park near the harbour where we stopped for lunch. 

             A large sundial in Amble. Because we live in the north it's a few minutes out.

Lunch over we headed for the quayside. A busy Sunday market was taking place.

                                              Amble harbour, Northumberland's friendliest port.

We followed the path away from the harbour, walked through another park and joined the Northumberland Coast Path/England Coast Path through the dunes.

                            The Amble Puffin

There is a good view of Coquet Island from the dunes.

Coquet Island. Ancient monastic cell, ruined. The first keeper of the lighthouse was Grace Darling's brother.

At Low Hauxley the dunes path becomes a track. It passes an entrance to Hauxley Nature Reserve, well worth a visit but not today.

                                      Bird house outside Hauxley Nature Reserve.

And about a mile further on we were back at the cars.  Some went to the Widdrington Inn for refreshment, some went to feed cats.

             Contains OS data, copyright. Crown copyright and database right 2023

This enjoyable easy walk is about 10.5 miles. No hills!