Ambling again

 Amble Responsibly. May 30th

A return to the Northumberland Coast after several country walks we are off to the small but friendly port of Amble. 

OS Explorer 332 Alnwick and Amble covers the walk.

Head up the Northumberland Coastal route and turn into the town. There is a large, free, parking area next to the cemetery.

                   Not a calendar car park, but plenty of large rocks to sit on as you boot up.

We headed south from the car park, walking on the dunes, which are part of the Charles III/Northumberland Coast/ English coast path.

                  Coquet Island. Nature reserve and onetime weekend  retreat for St. Cuthbert and St. Hilda.

After almost two miles of little ups and downs in the dunes we reached the entrance to Hauxley Nature Reserve.

                       This is at the entrance to the nature reserve. It is designed as a nesting pillar but I've never seen a bird near it.

At the reserve observation platform and cafe we stopped for breakfast. Sadly the cafe stops serving bacon butties at 11am and as we had had a late start we had to make do with a drink or a scone.

The pond at Hauxley Nature reserve.

Rested and refreshed we walked up the road to High Hauxley and continued on the tarmac to the Northumberland Coast Route. Directly across the road the gate led to a series of firm farm tracks. At mile four we sat on the grass, chatted to a set of twins who were walking the St. Cuthbert's Way and had a Herbie. (Skinny whips, biscuits, sweet and savoury from Mrs A). Passing the large farm and cottages at  Hope House we  continued to New Hall, turned left and after half a mile joined St. Cuthbert's Way.

                    Hoping for a good potato harvest.

St. Cuthbert's Way goes almost directly due north and through an estate in Warkworth. We turned left and after a few yards took the unmarked footpath on the right. (just before mile 7).

Walking downhill we reached the River Coquet, directly opposite the Warkworth Hermitage. To get to the Hermitage you need to cross the river on an official looking boat. It was not operating today. Disappointed we walked along the riverside path int Warkworth.

                   Warkworth Castle, high above the Coquet.

It was a warm day, we stopped for ice cream and sat near the church to cool.

               St Lawrence, Warkworth . A Norman church.

                    Medieval gate and bridge, Warkworth. Pedestrians only.

After a short stretch on the river bank we walked up towards the castle, turned left and then left again on the road to Amble.

Fortunately the path leaves the road and heads for the Coquet Yacht Club and the Amble Marina.

             Boats at Amble.

The path crosses the harbour area, goes through a park and back to the cars.

On the way home we called in at the Widdrington Inn, TTL of course.

                         Fairground in the harbour area

                                          Fun in the park.

Contains OS data, copyright. Crown copyright and database right 2025

The walk is about 10.5 miles, easy going and coast and country.

The above pictures are in the blog courtesy of Nagelpics