Walking in the AONB
The Northumberland Coast AONB is often best
appreciated on foot, the fantastic network of footpaths, bridleways
and quiet lanes make it easy to find peace and tranquillity. There
is a continuous coastal footpath ‘The Northumberland Coast Path’,
part of the North Sea Trail, which
stretches from Cresswell in the south to Berwick-upon-Tweed in the
north. Click here for more information about the Coast
Path.
There are other long-distance routes that pass
through the AONB:
St. Cuthbert’s Way is
a 60 mile (100km) route from Melrose in the Scottish Border to Holy
Island. Opened in 1996 and recently voted ‘Britain’s most romantic
long-distance trail’, St Cuthbert’s Way visits a number of places
associated with St Cuthbert’s Life and in the right conditions, the
walk across the pilgrims way, over the sands to Holy Island makes
for a tremendous finale. A Guidebook is available.
St. Oswald’s Way is a
97 mile (156km) trail linking places associated with the story of
St. Oswald, the early 7th Century Northumbrian king.
Starting at Holy Island, it follows the Northumberland Coast Path
south, to Warkworth, then continues along the River Coquet to
Rothbury before crossing the Simonside Hills through Harwood Forest
and onto Hadrian’s Wall and Heavenfield Churchyard. A guidebook and
circular trail leaflets are available.
Just outside the AONB, the Berwickshire Coast
Path starts in Berwick-upon-Tweed and heads north, over the
Scottish border to Eyemouth and onto St. Abbs. This stunningly
beautiful 14 mile walk makes a pleasant addition to the
Northumberland Coast Path.
Scottish Borders Council has produced a
leaflet for this
trail.
There are numerous other publications and maps
available to guide you through the AONB, we have listed selected
one’s below as well as the Ordnance Survey maps that cover the
AONB.
Alnmouth of foot
Alnmouth Parish Council produced a guidebook of eleven walks
around the picturesque village of Alnmouth. It is available from
Tourist Information Centres.
Embleton Heritage Trails
A guidebook of six walking trails around the
Parish of Embleton is available from local outlets.
Short Walks around St. Oswald’s Way
The St Oswald’s Way project has produced a
guidebook of and map packs of short and easy access routes
radiating from St. Oswald’s
Way.
The Ordnance Survey Maps which cover
the AONB are:
1:25 000 Explorer Series
Sheet 332 Alnwick and Amble
Sheet 340 Holy Island and Bamburgh
Sheet 346 Berwick-upon-Tweed
1:50 000 Landranger
Series
Sheet 75 Berwick-upon-Tweed
Sheet 81 Alnwick and Morpeth
When walking in the AONB please follow the
Countryside Code
Useful information about Public Rights of Way
can be found on Northumberland County Council’s
Website
Several companies offer guided and self guided
walking days and holidays on the Northumberland Coast; visit
Outdoors
Northumberland
