English Coastal Path
Warkworth to Boulmer and return
Northumberland
Distance 25.7km
Wednesday 25 March 2015
Number 55 Alnmouth to Warkworth Britain's Favourite Walks on ITV's Top 100 walks shown in January 2018.
I parked the car near the Coquet View Leisure Park, Warkworth, the place I had reached on my previous walk. I walked from the car park down passed the golf course and onto the beach.
Where I turned left and headed north. It was cold and clear but not as cold as it was on my previous day walking, saying that it was cold enough to wear my hat and gloves. You can see the tide was out and the beach was wide and clear.
There were a couple of small head lands as I headed north. I could see the Boulmer golf ball in the distance.
A large and old root was in the sand, it had looked like someone had tried to cut it up. The clouds were interesting and looked like there was going to be a band of rain coming over. In the distance I could see the start of Alnmouth. I had once walked up here a number of years ago, a different time of year, different weather and certainly under different circumstances.
As I approached the Alnmouth estuary I remembered more about my previous walk. Today I turned inland, left, west, up the sand dunes rather than try and cross the river, which I had done previously.
As I reached some high land I could see a cross and decided to head towards it. Near the cross being that little bit higher, it gave a very good view of the area.
I turned south and headed down what I found later was called Church Hill. and found the ruin of what looked like an old church. There was some elaborate stone work around the door way. A very interesting place, I would have to read up about this later. I turned back up hill and continued south over some dry marsh ground.
This took me to a path which I could see a number of cars parked at the end. I turned right, west and headed up the path. There was a sign that showed drivers parked at their own risk as at high tide part of the path may flood. I crossed by some reads and found a permissive path that headed north. After a few hundred meters I came across three caravans. I could see Church Hill with Alnmouth in the distance. Very picturesque. I passed some holiday cottages and joined a road that I took, this took me west and uphill.
On returning home I did a little research, I found that the little church had been an old mortuary chapel used for funerals. The cross was for St Cuthbert. History shows the river used to run south of Church Hill and Church Hill was part of the town. This all changed following a severe storm in 1806.
At the top of the path, I was on the main A1068 road, near the road was a cycle path. It was just by chance I recognised the cycle path. It had been on the local news the previous evening. Apparently the local cycle shop had re-named the path as the profit path due to the number of cyclists who had punctures on the track within the last few weeks. It was a nice path to walk, I took it north towards Alnmouth it was a gentle sloping path down hill path and skirted a number of fields.
At the top corner of the path, where the path turns east, and heads down hill towards Alnmouth away from the road, there was a beautifully carved seat dedicated to Michelle Turnbull. It was a lovely piece of work, I could see a lot of time and thought had gone into the making of the seat. It was very well placed. Michelle must have been someone really special to have such a lovely seat made for her in this place.
At the bottom the path turns north again for a few hundred meters where it crossed the road onto another path which took me to the bridge. Beside the large stone structure bridge, which could only take single lane traffic, stood a metal footpath bridge for walkers and cyclists. I crossed the bridge and saw a sign for lovers walk on the other side of the road. This took me down and around the riverside of the town.
As the path moves around the town I was now opposite Church Hill.
Following the path to the road and then following the road it took me to the golf course with a sign saying it was the oldest nine hole links course in England.
After a quick stop for my snack I continued up a path up the side of the hill at the north of the town. This took me under a beacon and came out at an old defence building. This had good views south and north up and down the coast.
I continued north and was walking by another very large golf course.
At the top there was a choice of paths, I could follow in land or drop down back to a beach. I took the path to the beach. This was a nice small little beach which curved along the coast.
At the headland was a caravan park and a few summer wooden houses. Coming around the headland there were a few rocks, in amongst the rocks I could see a sandpiper, well I think it is a sandpiper.
I continued round onto another large area of sand and I could see some buildings in the distance.
I walked passed the buildings of Boulmer and looked north. The time was getting on and so I thought I had better consider returning to the car.
I turned around and headed south back along the beach, all along this stretch of coast the main feature is Coquet Island. It was almost always in view as I moved south.
I took a path up from the beach and walked passed the Boulmer life boat station.
I continued along the path which took me to a gate that lead to the caravan site.
Walking through the site I took a path south that took me back onto the beach.
Time was moving on, I had taken my time moving north, looking at shells and stones, taking pictures. Enjoying the views and having a jolly good day. Now I had to go back and there was not a lot of time, so I had to move, although the beach was still wide it was hard to see if the tide was moving in.
After crossing the sands I took the steep sand dune path up to the golf course. Following along the top path I returned back passed the four caravans on the edge of the course. It looks a perfect place to stay. I wonder if they would let me stop here during the holidays with our Callum and Declan?
Rising up the path I passed the look out building and instead of taking the path down to the beach I continued to the beacon. The views were brilliant.
This path took me around and I dropped down to Alnmouth a little further along. I followed the road to Northumberland Street, turned right then left at the roundabout. This took me back to the bridge, I was striding out now, setting a very fast pace. I crossed the bridge and took the path I had travelled in on. Back up the hill to Michelle's seat and continued climbing south along the profit path. The view back towards Alnmouth was stunning, the tide had not come in here, yet.
I reached the road I had travelled up on and turned left down the road, turned south passed the holiday cottages and caravans. Then onto the permissive path beside the tall reeds. Instead of walking back around Church Hill, I walked the very rough path to where a few cars were still parked. From the car park area I took a narrow path through the dunes back to the beach.
I could see here the tide was moving in a lot quicker than further up the coast, not to worry the sand was still firm and easy to walk on.
I crossed a small headland where the sea was a lot closer, and back onto the wide open beach towards Warworth.
I was tired now, I had really pushed it coming back, as I moved near the gap in the dunes the sand was loose and the going was heavy. Then I was on the path that I took back up the bank to the car park near the Coquet View Leisure Park.
After a rough calculation I estimated I had covered approx. 16 miles (25.7km) with very little climb. A very good day walking.
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 area. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
Follow link to walk, south of this from Druridge Bay to Walkworth.
Follow link to walk, north of this from Boulmer to Dunstanburgh.
