The originals. March 15th
About twenty years ago Harry had retired and I had a dream teaching job, working three days a week. We decided that every Thursday we should go out for a walk, locally, in the Northumberland hills or the Lake District. As friends retired and joined us we became the gadgies, changed the day to Friday and carried on walking. Today, because of family commitments, holidays or other reasons, there's just the two of us.
We are off on a familiar walk from Warkworth to Alnmouth and back. A coastal walk, easy to follow but use OS Explorer 332 Alnwick and Amble if you must.
The town of Warkworth is close to the coast, take the Northumberland Coast Route. On reaching the the town square go left, pass the church and park on the river bank. Its free.
Car parking by the River Coquet in Warkworth.
The footpath on the river bank passes St Lawrence's church.
St Lawrence's. According to Pevsner's Buildings of Northumberland an almost perfect Norman church, 12th century origins.
Continuing on the path we came to the Medieval bridge over the Coquet. Now for pedestrians and cyclists it was in use by road traffic until the 1960s. The modern road bridge runs parallel.
Once across the road we headed up the hill towards the car parks and caravan site. There is a newly tarmacced path in the field next to the road, good idea as there is no pavement up the hill.
Once we reached the dunes we turned south and walked a track to the north side of the river opposite Amble, turned north again and headed up the sandy beach. Recent storms had deposited flotsam on the beach, enough timber to keep fires going all winter.
The bottom layer is coal, plenty of pieces on the beach too, keep the fires going.
At Birling Carrs the rocks were covered with seaweed and as they were slippy and as the natural steps were too high for the knee we left the beach, climbed up to the caravan site and once through it hit the beach again.
Heavy, dark cloud promised rain as we approached the point opposite Alnmouth.
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This atmospheric photo was taken by Harry. Alnmouth in the background, sandy beach in the foreground, with a strip of coal dust.
Once round the point we climbed up to the cross and down to the small ruined chapel which made an open Herbie spot.
Although it looks very very old the chapel dates to Victorian times. Used as a Mortuary chapel.
The clouds may have looked heavy but the rain was light as we headed south on either St. Oswald's Way, The Northumberland Coast Path or, as it is now known the King Charles III Coast Path.
Alnmouth was once a thriving port and ship building town. The area was, and is, a producer of grain. This ruin is the Guano shed, built away from the village to store imported smelly fertiliser. After the storm of 1806 it was on the wrong side of the river.
Regardless of name it heads through the dunes to the caravan site and then on to the Warkworth Golf Course. At one point we left the course, went under a footbridge and were back on the beach.
Don't want to be hit by flying golf balls!
After about a mile of sand walking we turned off the beach and headed back up the track to the car. Then home!
Distant view of Warkworth Castle. The foundation stone was laid in 1139 by the son of a Scottish king. He then became Duke of Northumberland. This Percy stronghold is looked after by English Heritage and is well worth a visit. Lots of activities in summer especially.
Contains OS data, copyright. Crown copyright and database right 2024.
The walk is just over 9 miles, easy going.
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