Warkworth again

 Warkworth walk again. November 13th.

This is one of my favourite coadtal walks so I’m happy to stroll the sands and golf course again.  Follow the Northumberland Coast Route through Amble and on to Warkworth, pretty little town. Turn left just before the church and park by the River Coquet.

The walk is covered by OS Explorer 332 Alnwick and Amble but even for first timers it’s not essential.

Parking by the river, plenty of space and free.

Breakfast coffee at Bernard’s if needed but we six set off straight away along the bank of the River Coquet. The name Coquet come possibly from Celtic Briton for Red River. After a few hundred yards we came to the old bridge, crossed it, crossed the road carefully as there is a bad bend and headed up the road.

Built in the 14th century it lasted until the 1960s when the modern and not as pretty road bridge beside was built.

We followed the road to the next carparks, and toilets, and continued down towards the dunes.

Reaching a gate on the right we followed the river, apparently next to it is one of the very few salt marshes in Northumberland.

Reaching the end of the dunes and almost the mouth of the river we joined the sandy beach and headed north.

The North Sea on a cold but sunny day.

Damp sand is easy to walk on and there were several happy dog walkers exercising their pets.

Approaching Birling Carrs we decided to take to the dunes, the rocks on the Carrs can be quite slippy.

We followed a footpath through the dunes and through the caravan park before descending to the beach agaion. As we reached the River Aln we turned inland and  climbed the short but steep path to the cross.

The cross marks the site of the original village church, St. St Waleric's, which was destroyed in the great storm of 1806.The storm also changed the course of the river, the original church being in the village.

Close to the cross is a Mortuary Chapel built in 1870 and ruined. A bench in front of it made a good Herbie spot. (Ginger biscuits, oat bars and Titans from ALDI)

The cross and the chapel. If you look at the map there is a little spike shoots off to the left, I think the GPS "had a moment".

Heading south after lunch we came to a new fence and a new gate. Going through the gate and following a narrow path next to the fence we joined The King Charles III England Coastal Path and followed it back to the caravan site.  The path passes the old guano shed, built in the 18th century on the bank of the river as it was before the storm. As the name suggests, it was for storing imported guano, used as fertiliser and it was well away from the village .

                         The ruins of the Guano shed

                                                                                                                                                                  Once through the site we followed a path which swings round to the east eventually and goes under a bridge provided for the golfers, we were now on the Warkworth course.

Our path went under the bridge, should you be coming from the seaward side there is a bell to ring to warn golfers you may spoil their game.

                              Bridge and bell.

We followed the footpath on the edge of the golf course until we reached the path we had come down at the start.

Once changed we went to the Sun Hotel for tea and cakes then went home.

Contains OS data, copyright. Crown copyright and database right 2026.

An easy walk of about 9 miles, sea views and fields and golf.