Northumberland Coast
Sand beaches, castles on rocky outcrops and the tidal causeway to Holy Island cover this sparsely populated stretch of England's northeast coast.
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The Northumberland Coast runs for 40 miles (64 km) along the northeast of England, from Berwick-Upon-Tweed in the north to the River Coquet estuary in the south. It is part of the Northumberland Coast National Landscape, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The coast is sparsely populated, with sandy beaches, sand dunes, rugged cliffs and isolated islands. The land is low-lying with few hills, so the walking is flat rather than mountainous. The landscape includes two National Nature Reserves.
Bamburgh Castle and Dunstanburgh Castle are among the coast's best-known landmarks. Fortresses and peel towers along the coast show past conflicts between the English and Scots in this border area. Lindisfarne, also called Holy Island, is joined to the mainland by a causeway that is covered at high tide, so check the tide before you cross. The Northumberland Coast Path is the main route for walking the coast. The coastal area lies east of the A1 road, which matters when you plan how to reach it. Sea coal from nearby coal fields is sometimes washed up on the beaches.
Northumberland Coast in five
- Check the Holy Island safe crossing timesNorthumberland County Council publishes safe crossing times for the causeway road. Treat them with caution, allow 30 minutes extra and note that the walking route over the sands is not covered.
- Pair Bamburgh and Alnwick on separate daysBoth castles are large visits and sit a short drive apart. Check each castle's opening season and last entry, and give each a half day.
- Choose a base, not a hotel every nightCoastal villages along the route put you close to beaches and castles. Book one or two bases and drive between them, since the coast road has few services.
- Come by the East Coast Main LineTrains reach Alnmouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed on the main line. A bus or taxi covers the last miles, so confirm each leg on National Rail before building a car-free plan.
- Crossing from Scotland? One check covers the UKThe UK ETA applies to the whole United Kingdom. If you enter at Edinburgh and head south, you do not need a second authorization at the border.UK ETA explained
Things to do in Northumberland Coast
See all attractions in Northumberland Coast
Need to know
- Airport
- Newcastle (NCL); Edinburgh for the Scottish border
- Getting there
- East Coast Main Line to Alnmouth or Berwick, then bus or taxi
- Getting around
- Car is best; the coastal bus network is limited
- Best base
- Bamburgh, Alnmouth or a village near Holy Island
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 days; 4 with Edinburgh or Newcastle
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh6°Low3°Cold, windyJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, windy
- FebruaryRain12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low3°Cold, windyFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, windy
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Cool, brightMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, bright
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Mild, quieterAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Mild, long daysMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, long days
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Warm, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustRain14 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Warm, busyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberRain13 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Mild, calmSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Autumn lightOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn light
- NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Wet, darkNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, dark
- DecemberRain15 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Cold, short daysDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, short days
Average daily high and low in Alnwick, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Northumberland Coast
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 15 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 55%
Northumberland Coast
10:03 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°6°55%Monday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Tue11°8°35%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Wed11°8°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu11°10°20%Thursday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Fri10°10°22%Friday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Sat10°9°42%Saturday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 42%.
- Sun10°10°35%Sunday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 35%.
Updated 08:19 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Holy Island (Lindisfarne)tide-dependent causewayA tidal island with a priory and castle, reachable only in the safe crossing window.
- Bamburgh and Alnwick castlesalong the coast roadTwo large castles a short drive apart, each worth a half day.
- Newcastle upon Tynesouth on the East Coast Main LineThe nearest big city and airport, a good start or end to the coast.Read the guide
Before you go to Northumberland Coast
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Rules for Northumberland Coast, checked
- Holy Island causeway: use the council's safe crossing times with caution and allow 30 minutes extra. They do not apply to the walking route over the sands.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Northumberland Coast
Scotland's capital north on the same rail line
Read the guideYorkA walled city on the same main line to the south
Read the guideYorkshireDales, moors and coast south of the county line
Read the guideNewcastle upon TyneThe big city and airport to the south
Read the guideTrains, buses and carsHire cars and rural rail links
Read the guideAll of EnglandCities, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideNorthumberland Coast FAQ
How do I check when Holy Island is safe to cross?
Use Northumberland County Council's Holy Island safe crossing times page. It lists safe and unsafe periods by date, tells you to allow 30 minutes extra and says the times do not apply to the walking route.
How many days do you need on the Northumberland Coast?
Two to three days cover a castle, Holy Island and a beach. Add a day for a second castle or for Newcastle or Edinburgh if you arrive by train.
Can you visit the Northumberland Coast without a car?
Trains stop at Alnmouth and Berwick, and some buses run along the coast, but services are limited. A car or taxi makes castle and island days much easier. Confirm each leg first.
Is Holy Island worth visiting?
Yes for the priory, the castle and the tidal setting, but plan around the safe crossing window. It is a half day, and you may leave and return on the tide, not at your pace.
What is the best time to visit the Northumberland Coast?
May, June, July and September give long days and mild weather. Winter is bleak and windy, castle hours shorten, and fewer buses run between villages.