Druridge Bay to Warkworth on the Northumberland Coastal Path
Join me artist Joanne Wishart on an inspiring journey where I discover Northumberland's hidden gems, coastal Islands, stunning seascapes, showing the creative scenery behind my colourful paintings. This coastal adventure is definitely one to add to your bucket list of coastal walks!
Creative Inspiration on the Northumberland Coastal Path
We set off by foot along the Northumberland Coastal Path from Druridge Bay Country Park to Warkworth on the River Coquet. We'll explore Hauxley Nature Reserve, the sea bird haven of Coquet Island, and the vibrant harbour town of Amble by the sea. This 8-mile stretch of coastline, the second half of stage 1 on the official route, offers a fascinating contrast to the vast expanses of open sandy beach from Cresswell to Druridge Bay.
Setting Off from Druridge Bay
Our adventure begins at the open sands of Druridge Bay. We make our way over the boardwalk and through the dunes, turning north towards East Chevington Bay. Though it's a gray start to the day, we're hoping for some sunshine later.
Despite the overcast weather, I take a moment to sketch the open landscape before heading inland to Hauxley Nature Reserve.
Exploring Hauxley Nature Reserve
You have the option of walking on the beach or following the paths through the dunes. We choose the dune path, which leads us directly to Hauxley Nature Reserve. This area, part of a former open-cast coal mine, is now under the care of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust.
We take a short detour from the beach, doubling back through an arched canopy of hedgerows past a caravan site to reach the reserve. At the visitor center, we find a cozy cafe with views over the reserve—a perfect spot for a refreshing brew!
Low Hauxley Beach and Coquet Island
Refreshed and ready to hit the beach again, we head towards Low Hauxley beach. Weaving through the dunes, we discover a charming array of beach houses. I must admit, I'm a bit jealous of the lucky owners who get to enjoy these coastal views daily!
As we move around the headland, we catch our first glimpse of Coquet Island. This island inspired my painting "Blue Sky over Coquet Island," capturing its scene with vast blue Northumbrian skies overhead.
Coquet Island is a haven for over 35,000 nesting seabirds each spring and summer, including puffins and terns from as far away as Africa. Managed by the RSPB, boat landings on the island are restricted to RSPB wardens, but you can still enjoy its vibrant wildlife through boat trips around it. We also found an interactive camera showcasing Coquet Island's adorable puffins!
Blue Sky over Coquet Island - Limited Edition Prints
Discover Amble Harbour’s History & Sculpture Trails
As the sandy bay becomes more rocky and pebbly, we rejoin the official path in the dunes and make our way towards the harbour village of Amble at the mouth of the River Coquet. The peaks and troughs of the dunes provide a great workout, but the views of Amble ahead are worth it!
Amble has a rich history, evolving from a small fishing village to a bustling port during the Victorian era. Today, Amble is known for its fishing, boat building, and growing tourism. If you have time, explore the Amble History Trail to learn more about its heritage.
In the harbour town, you'll find an array of fish and chip shops, cafes, bakeries, and restaurants. There's also a delightful selection of independent arty retail pods and a vibrant Sunday market. We ate a takeaway from the Harbour Fish Bar just a short walk from the harbour and would highly recommend it if the sun's shining. It’s popular with locals so that's always a good sign!
Creatives may enjoy the Sculpture trail which we discovered as we were exiting the village. Known as The Bord Waalk ('Bird Walk' in the local accent), a walking trail of public sculptures inspired by the bird-life around Amble. Download the free 'Bord Waalk' app to complete the trail in full.
Final Stretch to Warkworth
Leaving Amble, the path takes us alongside the River Coquet towards Warkworth taking in the sights and sounds of the Estuary, our endpoint for today. Stage 1 is complete! Overall a stunning day, all kinds of weather and many points of interest to explore, almost too much to fit it all in!
Notes:
- Watch my accompanying Youtube video of the walk here: Click to Watch
- You can buy the official guide book and find further information about the walk here and we got a handy Coastal Path Passport to get stamped along the route as a memento of the journey! https://www.northumberlandcoastpath.org/the-route/the-essentials/
- Public toilets in Amble close at 5pm in summer, so if you arrive in Amble in the early evening you’ll need to head to a restaurant to find facilities!
- We parked our car for free at the Riverside just outside Warkworth and you can either get a bus from Warkworth to the entrance to Druridge Bay Park but we opted for a local taxi for speed.
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Amble Bord Waalk https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/amble-bord-waalk/id1659663382
- Coquet Island Bird Camera https://www.mangolinkcam.com/webcams/birds/coquet-island.html
- Amble History Trail https://amble.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Amble-History-Trail.pdf
- Amble Puffin Cruise https://www.puffincruisesamble.com/
- Hauxley Nature Reserve https://www.nwt.org.uk/get-involved/visitor-centres/hauxley-wildlife-discovery-centre
