Bamburgh Beach

Bamburgh Beach stretches for miles beneath the towering presence of Bamburgh Castle, one of the most dramatic coastal backdrops in England. The sand is firm and wide at low tide, backed by rolling dunes that give way to rough grassland, and on clear days the Farne Islands are visible offshore with their colony of grey seals often audible from the strand. This 6.4 km coastal circuit follows the beach before climbing gently into the dunes and returning along paths above the shoreline, with the castle in view throughout. The scale of the beach means that even on busy days there is space to spare, and the 20 m of climbing barely registers.

For dogs this is one of the finest dog friendly walks on the Northumberland coast. The wide, open sand provides unrestricted running space, and dogs are welcome off-lead year-round. The surf line is usually gentle enough for confident swimmers, while less water-keen dogs can work the tideline where washed-up kelp and crab shells provide rich scenting. The dune sections offer shelter on blustery days and a change of texture underfoot from firm sand to soft grass. Livestock are not a concern on the beach itself, though the dune grassland may have seasonal grazing. The combination of castle views, sea air and sheer space makes this a walk that dogs and owners remember.