Newton Pool coastal walk
Enjoy a gentle walk alongside the Northumberland coast with plenty of wildlife-spotting opportunities along the way.
An easy coastal walk with lots to discover
Remember to bring your binoculars as there are great views and lots of birds to spot from the beach and wildlife hides. The first part of the walk (points 1 to 4) is an all-ability trail. Newton pool hide is currently closed due to Covid 19.
Map
Start:
Low Newton car park, grid ref: NU239248
1
Start at the public car park above Low Newton. Head down the hill to the village square the road is quite steep. Low Newton is an 18th century fishing hamlet, with white-washed cottages and an historic pub set around a pretty village green. You can't miss the spectacular view of the ruins of 14th-century Dunstanburgh Castle straight ahead.
Dunstanburgh Castle
Savour the great views of the magnificent ruin of Dunstanburgh Castle to the south and, on a clear day, the distant Farne Islands to the north.
2
As you arrive at the square in the village take the right hand turn, following the road behind the square by the National Trust information board. The first 0.3 of a mile (0.5km) to Newton Pool hides, has a surfaced track suitable for wheelchair access.
3
Turn left behind the Ship Inn and follow the road south past the back of the cottages, parallel with the sea shore. Continue past the Boat Park, checking the field to your right for visiting wetland and coastal birds on the muddy scrape.
4
Continue on the track past Risemoor Cottage, a former fisherman's pub, through a small woodland path until you see the two wildlife hides on your right facing into the waters at Newton Pool. You can now reverse your route back to Low Newton or continue on to point 5.
Birdlife
Stop off at the wildlife hides at point 4 to enjoy the great views and to see how many different birds you can recognise using the visual guides and your binoculars. One hide is fully accessible for wheelchairs; the other has steps to climb to enter. Look out for oystercatchers and other shore birds around the Emblestones, an outcrop of hard volcanic rock protecting Newton Haven from the main ravages of the north sea. Sometimes seals can be spotted basking at the far end of the rocks.
5
Continue southward from the bird hide, and after about 33yd (30m) the path forks. Take the left track past some beach bungalows in the dunes. Head for the centre of the green space where a waymarker shows the path through bracken leading to wooden steps to the beach.
6
Take in the spectacular views of Dunstanburgh Castle across Embleton Bay before turning left on the beach and heading back toward the village. As you arrive back in the village square of Low Newton by the Sea take time to relax on the beach, picnic on the village green or explore the shoreline and rockpools.
Rockpools
The beach is a great place to go rockpooling. Look for marine creatures such as sea anemones, limpets, crabs and starfish.
End:
Low Newton car park, grid ref: NU239248
