Exploring the Northumberland Coastal Path: Stage 1 - Cresswell to Druridge Bay
Drawing inspiration from the stunning British coastline, as an artist I often set out with my sketchbook and camera to capture the beauty of the landscapes around me. Today, I'm going to talk about my coastal walk from Cresswell to Druridge Bay, a segment of the Northumberland Coast Path.
Starting Point: Cresswell
Cresswell is a charming village known for its appeal to walkers, cyclists, birdwatchers, and wildlife enthusiasts. This village marks the beginning of the Northumberland Coast Path, a long-distance trail stretching to Berwick upon Tweed. While the full Stage 1 covers the route from Cresswell to Warkworth, today's walk takes us to the midway point at Druridge Bay.
Before setting off, one notable landmark in Cresswell is the Pele Tower. This small, fortified building, resembling a miniature castle, has recently been restored and opened to the public. Built between 1350 and 1600, Pele Towers served as retreats during attacks by Border Reivers and other raiders.
Our adventure began with a delightful breakfast at the Drift Cafe, known for its range of cakes, hot food, and local gifts. With our appetites satisfied, we headed to the official starting point outside Cresswell Ices.
Cresswell to Druridge Bay
Cresswell lies at the southern end of Druridge Bay, an impressive eight-mile-long beach known for its breathtaking scenery and tranquility compared to other parts of the northeast coast. If the tide is out, it’s worth getting close to the sea. However, a parallel path also offers panoramic views of the picturesque landscape.
As an artist, I find immense joy in sketching outdoors, capturing the essence of the scene quickly to convey the mood rather than obsess over details. Despite the grey day, the expansive bay, dotted with dog walkers and families, provided plenty of inspiration. The colorful coats of people along the shoreline added a vibrant touch to my sketches.
Druridge Bay is not just a haven for artists but also a hotspot for wildlife enthusiasts. The beach attracts various birds, and several important nature reserves are located here. During our walk, we saw Tunestones scuttling along the shore and spotted Oystercatchers and Herons. It's important to respect sections of the beach fenced off for nesting seabirds, keeping a safe distance and ensuring dogs are on a lead in these areas.
Walking Along the Beach
Druridge Bay has a vast expanse of sand when the tide is out, it almost feels neverending when striding out on a walk! As we continued along the sandy shore, the rolling waves and refreshing sea breeze created a perfect ambiance. During high tide, an official path through the dunes offers a more challenging walk with undulating terrain and unique perspectives of the beach. Scattered along the dunes are large concrete blocks, remnants of World War II defenses intended to prevent enemy troops from landing.
The high tide line was also an excellent spot for beachcombing, where we discovered an interesting selection of shells.
Finishing Point: Druridge Bay Country Park
Today's walk, an easy 4.5 miles (7.2 km), concluded at Druridge Bay Country Park. This park features a visitor center with a cafe and toilet facilities, situated beside a lake with a children's playground nearby, making it a great spot for families. We didn't eat at the Country Park cafe so can’t comment on what the food was like there.
Overall, it was a lovely day out and an easy introduction to the Northumberland Coastal Path. If you enjoyed this walk, please like and follow my page as I continue my journey, walking and filming the entire path to Berwick upon Tweed on the Scottish Border. Join me in exploring the beauty and history of this incredible coastline.
Watch me enjoy the walk on my YouTube Channel
Notes:
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/
