Bamburgh Castle to Budle Bay Coastal Loop

This dog friendly loop starts on the wide sand under Bamburgh Castle and heads north along the beach past Stag Rock lighthouse to the dune-backed sweep of Budle Bay, returning by the coast path across the links and past the village. The mix of cliff-top castle, surf, lighthouse and a tidal lagoon teeming with curlew, oystercatcher and shelduck makes this one of the most photogenic 4-mile loops on the coast.

Dogs are very welcome here, year round on the beach and on the coast path, and most of the route is fine off lead. Pop the lead on for the short stretch through Bamburgh village, when crossing the golf links between the castle and Budle Point, and around the Budle Bay shore in winter when the wildfowl numbers peak. Underfoot is firm sand, dune track and short-cropped golf-fringe grass with a couple of stiles, all flat. Free parking at Bamburgh Links Car Park (donations) plus pay-and-display in the village, pubs, cafes and toilets in Bamburgh, no facilities round at Budle.