Northumberland Walking Holiday September 2023

Day 1: Settling In and Scenic Strolls

The fourth walking holiday run by the group began on Friday 22 September 2023 when 15 members set off for Northumberland and an idyllic stay at Seahouses in cottages located on a local caravan site. Some members were unable to arrive in time for the afternoon walk from Craster, along the cliff tops to Dunstanburgh Castle, but went directly to the cottages to meet up with those who had enjoyed the walk that afternoon, as they also arrived at the cottages. A couple of members were unable to arrive until later in the evening but eventually the full complement of 15 were all present. Most of the members enjoyed the usual Jacobs Join on the Friday evening with food provided by those who had chosen to join in the shared meal. After the laborious task of clearing up and washing up the group gathered for Mark (who had organised the holiday) to inform people of the plans for the following days walk to visit Lindisfarne (Holy Island), then it was time to retire for the night in readiness for tomorrow’s adventure.

Day 2: Exploring Holy Island

Saturday greeted us with a stunning sunrise over the Farne Islands. After breakfast, we spent the morning exploring Seahouses, wandering through quaint streets and visiting the harbor, where pleasure boats typically take visitors to the Farne Islands. Unfortunately, due to an outbreak of bird flu, landing on the islands was not permitted at the time. Perhaps a future trip will allow for a visit.

As lunchtime approached, we regrouped and drove to the Holy Island Causeway, waiting for the tide to recede. Once able to cross, we parked at The Snook car park, where we spotted the cottage used in the TV series Vera. From there, we walked the remainder of the way onto the island, reaching the main village. Splitting up temporarily, members explored the village, the priory ruins, and the lookout tower, which offered breathtaking views over the Farne Islands and the North Sea.

Reuniting, we followed the coastal path, taking in sights such as Lindisfarne Castle and the historic lime kilns. The group continued along the shoreline to Emmanuel Head, pausing at a bird-watching station along the way. A few members visited the pyramid at Emmanuel Head before we all made our way back to the cars via the sand dunes and North Shore.

Back at the cottages, the evening was spent in a mix of activities—some visited a local pub for dinner, while others enjoyed leftovers from the previous night’s meal. The evening concluded with a short meeting about Sunday’s walk, followed by a fun night of quizzes and games, led enthusiastically by Mark.

Day 3: Coastal Treasures and a Classic Seaside Feast

Another beautiful dawn sun greeted us on Sunday and after breakfast we set off on our last full day of organised walking as we travelled to Beadnell to begin our coastal walk. Leaving Beadnell we passed through the local caravan and mobile home site to join the coastal footpath to Low Newton-by-the-Sea. We followed the slightly inland route, as opposed to the cliff top path, passing through fields and coves before reaching Low Newton, a perfect place for the lunch stop. After lunch we explored the sand dunes where we discovered the veritable delightful array of wooden huts which overlook Embleton Bay. The huts were built in the 1930’s and are available to rent for stays. Descending through the dunes to the beach we were met with magnificent views of Dunstanburgh Castle to the south, which was visited by some on Friday, and to the wide-open expanse of the North Sea to the North. Walking along the beach back to Low Newton we joined the footpath back to Beadnell, this time taking the route along the cliff top where we eventually followed a path downwards leading us on to the beautiful sandy beach. Proceeding along the beach we came to the river inlet that we had crossed by a bridge on our way north and after negotiating a small and not very deep river flow continued along what was now Beadnell beach we returned to Beadnell and our awaiting transport back to Seahouses. Once back at the cottages and settled in it was decided by all that we couldn’t leave Seahouses without having partaken of their award-winning Fish and Chips, so orders were taken by Mark from everyone and then he and another of our group went off to the local Fish and Chip Shop to fulfil the order. Nearly everyone received what they had ordered, however I believe that there was one sausage short, this did not dampen the fact that everyone enjoyed our last meal of the trip together before another evening of entertainment before bedding down for the night in preparation for returning home the following day.

Day 3: Coastal Treasures and a Classic Seaside Feast

Another beautiful dawn sun greeted us on Sunday and after breakfast we set off on our last full day of organised walking as we travelled to Beadnell to begin our coastal walk. Leaving Beadnell we passed through the local caravan and mobile home site to join the coastal footpath to Low Newton-by-the-Sea. We followed the slightly inland route, as opposed to the cliff top path, passing through fields and coves before reaching Low Newton, a perfect place for the lunch stop. After lunch we explored the sand dunes where we discovered the veritable delightful array of wooden huts which overlook Embleton Bay. The huts were built in the 1930’s and are available to rent for stays. Descending through the dunes to the beach we were met with magnificent views of Dunstanburgh Castle to the south, which was visited by some on Friday, and to the wide-open expanse of the North Sea to the North. Walking along the beach back to Low Newton we joined the footpath back to Beadnell, this time taking the route along the cliff top where we eventually followed a path downwards leading us on to the beautiful sandy beach. Proceeding along the beach we came to the river inlet that we had crossed by a bridge on our way north and after negotiating a small and not very deep river flow continued along what was now Beadnell beach we returned to Beadnell and our awaiting transport back to Seahouses. Once back at the cottages and settled in it was decided by all that we couldn’t leave Seahouses without having partaken of their award-winning Fish and Chips, so orders were taken by Mark from everyone and then he and another of our group went off to the local Fish and Chip Shop to fulfil the order. Nearly everyone received what they had ordered, however I believe that there was one sausage short, this did not dampen the fact that everyone enjoyed our last meal of the trip together before another evening of entertainment before bedding down for the night in preparation for returning home the following day.

Day 4: Farewell to Northumberland

Monday arrived with another lovely sunrise. After breakfast, we packed up and bid farewell to our wonderful accommodations. With no scheduled group activities, members departed at their own pace. Some, who had missed Friday’s Craster walk, took the opportunity to complete it. Others visited the majestic Bamburgh Castle, while a few joined Mark on a sightseeing boat trip from Seahouses, touring the Farne Islands and Longstone Lighthouse—the latter famously linked to Grace Darling’s heroic 1838 rescue of shipwrecked passengers.
With everyone safely home, another successful walking weekend came to a close, leaving members already looking forward to the next adventure.

You can see all the photos from the weekend in the gallery here