Northumberland County Council - Druridge Bay Country Park & visitor centre

Druridge Bay Country Park & visitor centre

Druridge Bay Country Park is a large park with a lake, woodland, visitor centre and beach just off the A1068, three miles south of Amble.

The latest information about our Northumberland Parks and how they are affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19).

This information was last updated 6 January 2021

Country parks in Northumberland

Cafes at the county's Country Parks are to temporarily close at the end of Wednesday 6 January.

While the cafes are legally allowed to stay open for takeaway under current lockdown restrictions, the council has decided to close them.

While people are permitted to undertake exercise in their local area – meaning avoiding travelling outside their village, town or the part of a city where they live, they should be predominantly staying in their homes where possible or not prolonging their exercise in country parks with takeaway food or drink.

All our country parks will remain open. You can find out more about our country parks here.

Play parks and town parks in Northumberland

All the county council run parks and play areas are open. Find out more about our parks here.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, no water parks are open and there are no plans to reopen them this summer.

Druridge Bay Country Park is a large park with a lake, woodland, visitor centre and beach just off the A1068, three miles south of Amble.

The park is situated on Druridge Bay itself, between Amble and Cresswell. The park comprises a large freshwater lake, woodland, and grassland and meadows. The park also contains three miles of beautiful beaches and sand dunes.

A network of paths allows you to explore the whole park and discover the wildlife and landscapes of Druridge Bay. A visitor centre, cafe, toilets, play area, and car parking are all available for you to make the most of your visit to the country park.

The park gates are open during daylight hours throughout the year.

Drone use
Launching drones from County Council land is only allowed with the consent of the Council and where a formal license agreement has been signed. The council reserves the right to refuse consent and where consent is granted will require evidence of your Civil Aviation Training Certificate and public liability insurance.

Take a look at Druridge bay country park

History of the park

Druridge Bay has an extensive history of human habitation. Mesolithic remains, early Bronze Age cemetery and artefacts, and ancient peat beds have all been found along the coast.

During the Second World War, Druridge Bay was identified as a site of potential invasion due to its ease of access from mainland Europe and its relative remoteness. Dozens of anti-tank blocks still line the beach and pill boxes can be found along the coast.

The site was the location of an opencast coal mine, one of many found in south-east Northumberland. The mine closed in 1983 with the intention to convert it to a country park for people to enjoy and as a home for wildlife. The large pit was lined and filled to create Ladyburn Lake. Planting and management over the intervening years has led to the country park becoming home to coniferous and deciduous woodland, wildflowers and waterfowl, and ecologically-rich sand dunes that line the coast.

More information about the history of the area and its present wildlife can be found in the visitor centre.

The visitor centre and cafe lies at the south-eastern edge of Ladyburn Lake, next to the main car park.

The country parks are now operating normal opening times, toilets facilities are open but with reduced availability re COVID - 19 guidelines

The visitor centre contains a historical information centre, viewing platform, and small shop selling books, maps, and gifts. There is also a children’s play area and picnic area nearby.

The toilets and information area of the visitor centre are open daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Opening Times:

	April - September	October - March
Monday	10am - 5pm	10am - 3.30pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm	10am - 3.30pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm	10am - 3.30pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm	10am - 3.30pm
Friday	10am - 5pm	10am - 3.30pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm	9am - 3.30pm
Sunday	10am - 5pm	10am - 3.30pm

At popular times, the cafe and visitor centre may be open later into the afternoon.

Druridge Bay Country Park lies just off the A1068, just three miles from Amble, providing easy access from Newcastle and south-east Northumberland.

Druridge Bay Country Park,
Red Row,
Northumberland,
NE61 5BX

Parking
There are three car parks in the park, the largest of which is found at the far end of the access road, adjacent to the visitor centre.

The following car parking charges apply:

First hour - free (please still display a ticket)
Up to two hours - £1.60
Over two hours - £3.00
An annual permit is also available for regular visitors at a cost of £35. Annual permits run from 1 July to 30 June each year.

Please click here for more information about parking permits

The park gates are open during daylight hours. Please ensure that your vehicle is removed from the car park by the closing time stated on the car park notices.

Public Transport
The nearby village of Hadston is well-connected by public transport. Take the MAX X20 bus from Newcastle or Alnwick; or the MAX X18 bus from Morpeth.

Find out about bus services to the area by visiting Arriva North East

There are many paths within the park, taking you round the lake, through woodland, and along the dunes. Many of the paths are fully accessible for visitors of all abilities.

The Northumberland Coast Path and National Cycle Network Route 1 pass directly through the country park. There is also an established rights of way network connecting the park to the wider area. Cyclists and walkers are warmly welcomed to the visitor centre.

Events

A weekly parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9am. Please note that the park and car parks may be busy around this time.

A series of events will take place over the course of 2020. Events will be listed here as events are organised.

If you are interested in putting on an event at the park please email druridgebay@northumberland.gov.uk

Events at Druridge Bay Country Park 2019

Druridge Bay regularly holds events. Any revenue generated helps to fund the upkeep of the park. For major events, additional staff will be on duty to assist with parking.

If you are planning to use the park on these days, please be prepared for delays and give yourself ample time to park.

A programme of events will be appearing here soon.

If you require further information please email druridgebay@northumberland.gov.uk

Water sports

Swimming is permitted in the lake for experienced open-water swimmers. Wetsuits, a buddy system, and high-visibility floats should all be used.

Sailing, canoeing, and windsurfing is available on Ladyburn Lake from April until the end of October. Permits are required. We work in partnership with the Coquet Shorebase Trust, which offers training facilities in water sports.

Find out more information about the Coquet Shorebase Trust.

The current charges for water sports permits are:

	Day	Season
Child	£4	£30
Adult	£6	£40
Family	£12	£60

Many birds use the lake for roosting and feeding in autumn and winter, so no water sports are permitted.

PLEASE NOTE: Fishing is not permitted in this area.

Safety Information

There is no lifeguard cover on the sea or lake.
Be aware of the tides
Safety guidance on kite surfing and power kiting
May 2016 sump holes and quick sand warning and map
The dunes may be unstable in some places due to erosion. Wartime debris such as barbed wire may be exposed.

You can find information about country park byelaws here.

To view the country byelaws for Druridge Bay click here.

Druridge Bay Country Park, Red Row, Northumberland, NE61 5BX

Telephone: 01670 760968
Email: druridgebay@northumberland.gov.uk

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Druridge Bay Country Park & visitor centre

Page Contents:

Parks - Coronavirus updates

This information was last updated 6 January 2021

Country parks in Northumberland

Play parks and town parks in Northumberland