English Coastal Path
Low Newton-By-The-Sea to Craster and Return
Northumberland
Distance 14km Climb 70m
Tuesday 5 September 2017
Dunstanburgh to Craster Number 9 on ITV's Britain's Favourite Walks shown January 2018.
The weather forecast for today was not very good and I was worried that this was going to be like another time Anne and I had walked this route, a few years ago. With rain in our faces all the way to Craster and rain running down our backs on the return to Newton by the Sea. I was so glad things did not turn out like that as I was showing my friends Ron and Ingrid some of the beautiful sites of the Northumberland coast.
It did start wet and overcast but not enough to spoil the day. I parked the car at the car park at the top of the bank from Low Newton by the Sea and we walked down the hill.
At the bottom of the bank we had a quick look in the quadrangle where the Ship Inn was. The plan was this was going to be our incentive for our return journey.
The tide was out and a great deal of the beach was on show.
We walked back to the path that turns
from the road, with the footpath sign that leads to the back of the Ship Inn and some toilets. We turned left down the track between a number of holiday lets, passed the boat park, by a seat made from nets and broken crab/lobster pots, towards the Newton Pool Nature Reserve. It was raining a little heavier when we arrived at the bird
hides. Today we had a look in. From the hide we could see a pair of swans and their cygnets a number of ducks, a goose and what I thought was a white heron. Looking it up when I got home it may have been an egret? Possibly a great white egret?
From the hides we followed the footpath round the edge of the bird sanctuary area and took the gentle climb up the rise to the edge of the golf course. On our way the rain had eased a little.
We followed the path by the golf course that twisted and turned by the greens, rising and falling along the sand dunes. I was surprised to see so many people out playing golf. We passed various sized beach huts/chalets that are set in and around the dunes. No one was using the chalets today.
We continued along the path until it reaches a small rise that
looks over part of the golf course. To the left is the sea. Dropping down the path, it turns slightly right to follow the stream inland a little, Embleton Burn. Following this for a few hundred
meters we crossed the second foot bridge over the burn. After a short sandy rise we dropped onto the beach of Embleton Bay.
Continuing along the beach with its golden sands we climbed the side of a small gully joining the path across the top of the dunes continuing along the coast towards the castle. I know I should read up on things before my walks but it is after looking at things I find I am interested. Following my last walk to Dunstanburgh from Boulmer in December 2016 I read that the castle was also used as coastal defences in the Second World War.
Following the path between the coast and the golf course, there is a small dip next to a golf tee, the path then rises up a bank to the green and hole. This is next to what I have heard people call a larva bridge, it looked even more impressive today with the tide being so far out.
The path widens a little as we walked through a gate. Following the footpath below the castle we turned left up the narrow track that took us to the front of Dunstanburgh Castle.
After a few photos we continued south towards Craster along the grass path. Cattle for some reason started running towards the north end of the field.
A lot of people were walking up from Craster towards Dunstanburgh Castle.
Even more people filled the cafe and the pub.
Ron and Ingrid asked about the stone on the end of the harbour. I couldn't answer, both Anne and I have wondered about this on previous visits. Looking it up when I got home, it appears to have been part of a larger tower used to load stone from a local quarry onto boats in the harbour.
We eventually found a table in the cafe for a spot of lunch, On leaving the cafe it appeared we had missed a heavy down pour as the road and paths were soaking wet.
Our route back to Low Newton by the Sea was a reverse of our route to Craster.
The weather was dry and we were now blessed with moments of warm sunshine.
The tide was coming in and we could see the difference on the lava bridge.
The sea now covered a good part of the beach.
We didn't stop at the Ship Inn on the way back. Just turned the corner and started up the ill towards the car park. Anne asked me to take a photo of the Victorian Post Box.
Reaching the car park it was very busy. Lots of people were taking advantage of the now sunny day. We had walked approx 14km with a climb of approx 70m. It had been a great day, hopefully do it again when Ron and Ingrid are next in the area.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The English Coastal Path or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
Follow links to:-
My walk from Boulmer to Dunstanburgh December 2016.
My walk from High Newton by the Sea to Craster December 2014.
No comments:
Post a Comment