Dunstanburgh Castle
Alnwick, Northumberland
The largest castle in Northumberland, reachable only on foot, with a mile and a half of flat coast path from Craster to get there with your dog.
You cannot drive to Dunstanburgh, and that is the whole appeal. It is the largest castle in Northumberland, on an exposed headland a mile and a half up the coast path from Craster, so everyone arriving has walked in. Earl Thomas of Lancaster started building in 1313. He was cousin to Edward II and the Crown's most powerful baronial enemy, and he built at a scale designed to make that point from a distance.
Whilst you take in the twin towered gatehouse, which rises out of the grass long before you reach it, and walk the headland inside the curtain wall with the drops falling away to the sea, your dog has already had the best of the day. The approach is flat, easy going and about as good as coastal walking gets: North Sea on one side, grazing land on the other, salt and seaweed and wet rock, and seabird colonies making a racket on the cliffs.
Dogs are welcome on leads, and here it matters more than usual. The headland is an important wildlife site, with seabirds nesting on the cliffs through spring and summer and skylarks nesting in the grass you are walking over. Picnic benches with sea views, snacks in the castle shop, and parking is the council car park in Craster, which fills in summer.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- On-lead in the grounds
- Dogs on leads are welcome.
- Site Type
- Castle & Fort
- Entry
- £8.50 adult
- £4.25 child · £21.25 family
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Facilities
- Café / restaurant, Parking, Picnic seating, Shop, Toilets, Wheelchair access
- Telephone
- 01665 576231
- Parking
- Council car park in Craster (60 spaces), 1.3 miles from site. Coin operated machines. Not managed by English Heritage. No refund of car park charges on admission.
English Heritage Membership
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Planning Your Visit
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Thursday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Friday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Saturday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Sunday
- 10:00 - 17:00
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dunstanburgh Castle dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome at Dunstanburgh Castle, though they must be kept on leads throughout the site. The approach from Craster is a mile and a half of flat, easy coastal path with the North Sea on one side and grazing land on the other — honestly one of the better dog walks in Northumberland before you've even reached the castle.
Are dogs allowed at Dunstanburgh Castle year round?
Dogs are welcome year round, but the lead rule is especially important in spring and summer when seabirds are nesting on the cliffs and skylarks are nesting in the grassland along the path. The headland is a significant wildlife site, so keeping dogs on leads during those months isn't just a rule — it makes a real difference.
What should I know before visiting Dunstanburgh Castle with my dog?
The key thing to know is that there's no road access — everyone arrives on foot via the coast path from Craster, which is about a mile and a half each way, so factor in a good couple of hours for the round trip. Park in the council car park in Craster (coin operated, not managed by English Heritage), and be aware it fills quickly in summer. Dogs must stay on leads the whole time, and there are picnic benches with sea views and a castle shop selling snacks when you arrive.
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What’s Nearby?
Walk0.9 mi awayEmbleton Bay
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Wide-open, big-sky sand beneath distant views of Dunstanburgh Castle - quieter than the headliner beaches with room to breathe.
Beach1.2 mi awayCraster Beach
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A small, dog friendly harbour beach in the famous kippers village of Craster, with year-round access and the starting point for the outstanding coastal walk to Dunstanburgh Castle and Embleton Bay.
Walk1.3 mi awayCraster to Dunstanburgh Castle
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One of Northumberland's most iconic coastal walks, linking the fishing village of Craster with the atmospheric ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle.
Beach1.7 mi awayEmbleton Bay
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One of Northumberland's finest beaches: a sweeping arc of golden sand directly below Dunstanburgh Castle ruins, with year-round dog access, outstanding AONB scenery and very few restrictions.
Beach2.1 mi awayNewton-by-the-Sea
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A beautiful, sheltered sandy cove in a tiny National Trust fishing village on the Northumberland coast with year-round dog access, stunning views of Dunstanburgh Castle and the iconic seasonal Ship Inn.
Beach2.5 mi awayHowick Beach
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A beautiful, sheltered sandy beach on the Northumberland Heritage Coast near Howick Hall, with year-round dog access, very few visitors and excellent coastal walking north to Craster.