Walking in a Winter Wonderland: Best North East Winter Walks

There’s no better way to walk off that festive indulgence than on a brisk winter walk with the family. This is the time of year when we all come together, and even though the weather can be chilly, you’ll likely find some of your favourite spots to be quite busy. 

Places like Whitley Bay, Alnwick and Bamburgh are all lovely places for a winter stroll, but they may be busy- especially after Christmas and New Year as people look for low-cost ways to spend their weekends. 

There are very few places in this beautiful region I haven’t ventured to over the last year looking for inspiration for my original North East artwork. From the regenerated North Shields Fish Quay to the quiet fishing harbour of Boulmer, I’ve been to them all! So, here are some of my favourite and lesser-trodden spots for a family walk this winter. 

Budle Bay

If a beach walk is your thing, then the coastal path to Budle Bay is a quiet route nestled between tourist favourites Bamburgh and Lindisfarne. You can walk from Budle Way to Bamburgh or even all the way to Seahouses if you’ve got it in you! The whole route is dog friendly all year round, so even if you’re reading this during winter climes, then you don’t need to leave your four-legged friends at home. 

Budle Bay itself is actually a bird sanctuary. The one-mile expanse of mud flats is home to myriad bird species, including purple sandpipers, grey plovers and rough-legged buzzards! Sometimes the tide at Budle Bay can be so low that you’ll see the mudflats, however, you should never be tempted to cross the bay on foot as the terrain is dangerous, and the tide can be very unpredictable.

Coastal Path to Budle Bay Art Print

This stretch of award-winning Northumberland coastline has inspired several of my art pieces of the years, including the above painting of the pristine bay on a cloudy day.

Blyth Beach Huts

I write a lot about my love of the various Northumberland coastal paths in this blog, but I often forget about Blyth and the surrounding sandy beaches. If you live in North Tyneside like me, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy a brisk seaside walk. 

Starting or finishing at Blyth’s colourful beach huts, you can choose to head north to the bandstand and harbour; or, alternatively, stroll south to Seaton Sluice beach - a favour among dog owners as it is typically much quieter than neighbouring beaches Whitley Bay and Tynemouth.

This part of the coastline is ideal for those who don’t drive, too. You can easily access all the beaches between Whitley Bay and Blyth, including Sluice and the cobbly Collywell Bay, on the 308 bus route.

Blyth Beach Huts Art Print

Just because it’s winter, it doesn’t mean wildlife spotting is off the cards. Grey seals often head to St Mary’s Island between October and December too birth their pups, with many remaining for the early months of the year. 

You can also visit the Farne Islands to see even more seals, as well as the famous puffins. The islands are home to around 43,000 pairs of puffins - did you know they mate for life? Hop on a boat trip from Seahouses and visit the islands or stay on the water and enjoy the sights.

 Puffins & Sea Pinks Cushion

Longsands, Tynemouth

For the final walk on my list, we’re visiting this famous golden beach. Popular among surfers, dog walkers (in the winter) and families alike, Tynemouth Longsands is one of the most iconic and beautiful beaches in the region - and, in my opinion, in the country! 

Just a short walk from the bustling Front Street and even home to coffee shops on the sand, you can keep your hands warm with a hot drink as you stroll this lovely stretch of sand. If you fancy an even longer walk, keep going north until you reach Cullercoats, where you’ll find my gallery on St George’s Road, open Wed-Sun 10am ‘til 5pm. Find us on Google Maps here. 

Longsands Winter Morning Original Painting | Limited Edition Print

A wintery golden hour on Tynemouth Longsands inspired the above painting, which is currently available as a limited edition print both online and in my gallery.