Find the nearest Beaches in Northumberland
Planning a trip to the Northumberland coast and looking for where the nearest beach is, our beach lists will help you discover the nearest beach to me. Then for each beach, we will answer questions around location, rural or town, sandy or pebble, rockpools, tide times, weather forecast, dog restrictions, bathing water quality, closest beach cafes and provide general information on the beach and its facilities.
When on a beach page use our tools to search nearby Northumberland seaside towns and the surrounding coast for things to see and do or places to stay and eat.
If you are looking for an award-winning beach then you can browse our Blue Flag lists or Seaside Award lists.
Finding the right beach in Northumberland is easy – simply explore the beach links below, to find the closest hit the jump to my location compass or use the search bar to plan where your next Northumberland beach visit should be.
- Ross Back Sands is 3 miles of sandy quiet beach backed by sand dunes. The beach protrudes out between Holy Island and Budle Bay which means it can be very windy due to this exposed position although careful positioning within the sand dunes can provide a good windbreak. Some good walks around Ross beach including a nature reserve which is a popular spot for bird watching and you get some great views of Lindisfarne Castle to the north on Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle to the south. The beach has no facilities and there is a 1½ mile walk from the nearest parking point at Ross and this is probably why the beach is never busy. Note that due to the remoteness and sand dunes parts of the beach are used by naturists.
- Spittal beach is a sandy beach with shallow water at high tide on the southern side of Tweed estuary. The beach is backed by a promenade and seaside shops.
- Blyth beach situated to the South of Blyth Harbour and includes a promenade and a long strip of golden sand. Facilities at the beach include parking, toilets, beach hut hire, promenade along with more nearby facilities in the town.
- Warkworth beach is close to the fortified village of Warkworth. The village with its castle is built on a rocky spur within a tight loop of the River Coquet. Warkworth beach spans to the north of the river mouth and is golden sands and dunes overlooked by the castle. It is advised to keep away from the breakwater at the River Coquet. Toilets and free parking 500m from the beach.
- Craster is a small fishing village on the Northumbrian coast with a small and attractive harbour. The harbour itself is protected by two areas of rocks, known as Muckle Car and Little Car. Craster is not so much a beach but a rocky shore with a view northwards to the spectacular ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. This is the nearest point of access to the castle and the 1.5 mile approach must be made on foot along a grassy path.
- Holy Island has a selection of sand beaches and dunes. Also known by its Celtic name as Lindisfarne, Holy Island is accessible only at low tide, twice daily, by a three mile long causeway. The island is one of the top locations for bird watching in North East England. The sand dunes and saltmarsh are a National Nature Reserve, and an important winter home to thousands of seabirds, particularly waders.
- Bamburgh Castle beach is in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Northumberland Coast. It’s vast, unspoilt shoreline is uncrowded and backed by fabulous sand dunes and the magnificent Bamburgh Castle. It also commands sea views across to Lindisfarne, Holy Island and Farne Islands. Popular surfing and kitesurfing beach. Facilities include toilets, parking, cafes, restaurant and of course a big castle!
- Annstead beach is a sandy beach is just to the south of Seahouses. Just behind the beach is Annstead Dunes Nature Reserve. Parking by the beach and other facilities in nearby Seahouses.
- North Seaton beach is a small beach backed by sand dunes to the north of the River Wansbeck estuary. You have a Hoseasons Sandy Bay park right behind the beach.
- Beadnell Bay is a horseshoe shape of golden sand backed by sand dunes. The bay is part of the Northumberland Coast AONB. Facilities include parking (charges apply Easter – October), toilets, harbour and cafe/restaurant.
- Cresswell beach spans either side of the village on the south part of Druridge Bay. To the north, you have a large sandy beach backed by large areas of sand dunes. To the south, the beach is backed by a caravan park and the headland at low tide exposes some rocks giving some rock pooling opportunities. The shallow beach makes it good for swimming and the surfing has an exposed beach break and also popular for sailing and fishing. Facilities at the beach include parking amongst the sand dunes just outside the village to the north. The south beach has a smaller car parking area alongside the road. The village has a small amount of parking and an ice-cream shop.
- Fishermans Haven beach is a sandy cove backed by cliffs and a caravan site with paths leading down to the beach. Parking available on the cliff top.