Northumberland is one of England’s most rewarding counties to explore with a dog. Long, open beaches stretch beneath castle ruins, quiet coastal paths follow the edge of the land, and lowland trails offer space and variety without the crowds found elsewhere. It is a place where walks feel unhurried and landscapes do the talking.
This guide brings together a mix of coastal and countryside routes that suit everything from relaxed potters to longer, leg-stretching days out. Expect big skies, changing scenery and plenty of room for dogs to roam responsibly, making Northumberland an easy choice for year-round adventures on four paws.
Bamburgh Beach
Bamburgh Beach is a proper sense-of-scale walk. The beach stretches endlessly beneath the castle, with wide skies, rolling dunes and firm sand underfoot for much of the tide cycle. It is the kind of place where you set off without worrying about distance, simply turning back when it feels right.
For dogs, this is close to perfect. There is room to run, space to explore the dunes, and enough shoreline to avoid crowds even on popular days. Be mindful of nesting birds in spring and early summer, and expect stronger winds than you might inland, but otherwise this is one of Northumberland’s most reliable dog walks.
- Distance: Up to 4 miles return
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Wide sandy beach, dunes
- Dog friendliness: Excellent, huge off-lead potential
Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle
This classic coastal route links the small fishing village of Craster with the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. The path stays close to the sea, weaving between grassy clifftops and rocky shoreline with constant views across the North Sea.
It is a rewarding walk without being strenuous, and dogs tend to love the changing terrain and open feel. Sheep often graze nearby, particularly closer to Craster, so leads may be needed at points. Ending the walk back in Craster gives you options for refreshments before heading home.
- Distance: Approx. 4.5 miles return
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Terrain: Coastal path, grass, rocky sections
- Dog friendliness: Very good, livestock nearby
Embleton Bay
Embleton Bay offers a quieter alternative to some of Northumberland’s headline beaches, while still delivering long stretches of sand and sweeping coastal views. Backed by dunes and crossed by grassy paths, it feels more natural and less polished than nearby hotspots.
The walk can be as short or long as you like, making it easy to tailor to your dog’s energy levels. On breezy days it feels wild and invigorating, while calmer conditions suit slower, exploratory walks along the water’s edge.
- Distance: 2 to 5 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Beach, dunes, grassy tracks
- Dog friendliness: Excellent
Howick Hall Gardens & Estate
Howick Hall offers a more sheltered walking experience, combining woodland paths, estate tracks and short coastal sections. It is particularly useful when weather conditions make exposed beaches less appealing, providing variety without committing to long distances.
Dogs are welcome throughout much of the estate, though leads are required in garden areas and where signage requests it. The mix of environments keeps walks interesting, and the route options make it easy to return again and again without repeating the same loop.
- Distance: 3 to 5 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Woodland paths, estate tracks, coastline
- Dog friendliness: Very good, leads required in places
Warkworth to Amble Coastal Path
This relaxed route follows the River Coquet from the historic village of Warkworth out towards the coast and on to Amble. It is largely flat and accessible, making it a great choice for slower-paced days or older dogs.
The river views gradually open out into coastal scenery, with dunes and sea air marking the approach to Amble. Finishing in town gives you access to dog friendly cafés and harbourside walks before retracing your steps.
- Distance: Approx. 3 miles one way
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Riverside path, dunes, promenade
- Dog friendliness: Excellent
Druridge Bay Country Park
Druridge Bay Country Park combines variety and flexibility in one location. You can loop around the freshwater lake, head through the dunes, or drop down onto the long sandy beach, creating walks that suit different moods and energy levels.
Dogs enjoy the contrast between open sand and quieter inland paths, but wildlife is a key feature here. Leads may be required near the lake during bird breeding seasons, and signage should always be followed.
- Distance: 2 to 6 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Lakeside paths, dunes, beach
- Dog friendliness: Excellent, wildlife awareness needed
Alnmouth Coastal Walk
Starting from the village of Alnmouth, this walk blends sandy beach sections with elevated coastal paths overlooking the estuary and open sea. It feels more varied than a simple beach walk and rewards you with changing views throughout.
Tides can influence which sections are accessible, so timing matters here. On a clear day, the combination of height, space and sea air makes this one of the most satisfying shorter walks in the county.
- Distance: 3 to 5 miles
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Terrain: Beach, clifftop paths, grass
- Dog friendliness: Very good
Advice for Dog Walking in Northumberland
Northumberland is generally an easy county to explore with a dog, but its openness and wildlife mean a little planning goes a long way. Coastal routes are often exposed, so wind and weather can feel more intense than inland walks, even on mild days. Bringing layers, fresh water and a towel for sandy or wet paws will make walks more comfortable year-round.
Wildlife awareness is especially important along the coast. Ground-nesting birds are common in spring and early summer, and signage should always be followed. Livestock can also be present on clifftop paths and inland sections of coastal routes, so keeping dogs under close control or on a lead where necessary helps protect both animals and access to these paths.
Tides can affect beach access and route options, particularly around estuaries and longer shoreline walks. Checking tide times before setting off helps avoid cut-offs and makes beach walking more enjoyable. Parking is usually straightforward, but coastal villages can get busy in peak season, so arriving early is recommended.
Map of Dog Friendly Walks in Northumberland
To help you plan your route, we have mapped all of the walks featured in this guide. Each pin highlights a starting point or parking area, making it easier to build your day around distance, location and nearby facilities.
Alnmouth is a brilliant starting point for a walk that mixes beach, estuary views and slightly higher coastal paths. The scenery changes quickly here, with sand and dunes giving way to open views over the River Aln as it meets the sea. It is a great option if you want a walk that feels varied without needing to drive between multiple locations.
Dogs generally do very well here thanks to the mix of open space and interesting terrain, but tide conditions can influence which sections are easiest, particularly if you are hoping to stay on the beach for longer. The village is also a nice place to finish, making this a strong choice when you want a proper walk and a relaxed stop afterwards.
Distance: 3 to 5 miles
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Terrain: Beach, clifftop paths, grass
Dog friendliness: Very good
Druridge Bay Country Park is one of the best all-rounders in Northumberland, combining lakeside trails, dunes and a long sandy beach in one place. It is perfect if you want flexibility, because you can keep things short with a quick loop near the water or build a longer walk by heading out through the dunes and down onto the beach.
Dogs love the variety here, but it is also a site with lots of wildlife, especially around the lake. That means it is worth being lead-ready in sensitive areas, particularly in spring and early summer when birds are nesting. If you want a walk you can revisit in different seasons without it ever feeling stale, this is a strong pick.
Distance: 2 to 6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Lakeside paths, dunes, beach
Dog friendliness: Excellent, wildlife awareness needed
This is a relaxed, low-effort walk that still feels properly Northumberland, following the River Coquet as it opens out towards the sea. Starting near Warkworth’s beach side gives you an easy run-in, and the scenery gradually shifts from river views to dunes and coastline as you approach Amble. It is a great choice when you want fresh air and space without a demanding route.
For dogs, the flat terrain makes it accessible for most ages, and there is plenty to sniff along the river and estuary edges. Amble gives you an easy finish with harbour atmosphere and options for a post-walk wander, before you retrace your steps back to Warkworth. Wildlife is common around the estuary, so keep dogs close if you spot birds gathering.
Distance: Approx. 3 miles one way
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Riverside path, dunes, promenade
Dog friendliness: Excellent
Howick Hall is ideal when you want a more sheltered walk with variety underfoot. The estate offers woodland paths, wide tracks and a calmer feel than open beaches, making it a strong year-round option, especially when the wind is up on the coast. It is also a good “change of pace” walk if you have already done a few beach days and want something greener and more enclosed.
Dogs are welcome, and the mix of paths makes it easy to tailor the walk to your dog’s energy levels. Some areas require dogs to be on a lead, particularly around the formal gardens and where signage requests it, so it suits owners who are happy to mix lead walking with freer sections.
Distance: 3 to 5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Woodland paths, estate tracks, coastline
Dog friendliness: Very good, leads required in places
Embleton Bay delivers that wide-open, big-sky feeling Northumberland does so well, with sand stretching out beneath distant views of Dunstanburgh Castle. It is a quieter-feeling beach walk than some of the headline spots, and the approach from the Dunstan Steads area makes it easy to combine dunes, beach and gentle paths depending on how long you want to stay out.
Dogs tend to love this one because there is room to move and plenty of natural interest along the dune edges and shoreline. It is also a great option when you want a beach day without the busiest hotspots, but still want scenery that feels properly special. As always on the coast, keep an eye on tide conditions and any seasonal wildlife notices.
Distance: 2 to 5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Beach, dunes, grassy tracks
Dog friendliness: Excellent
This is one of Northumberland’s most iconic coastal walks, linking the fishing village of Craster with the atmospheric ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. The route keeps you close to the sea, blending grassy clifftop sections with rougher shoreline stretches, and the views stay with you almost the whole way. It feels wild without being hard work, which is exactly what you want from a coastal day out.
For dogs, it is a brilliant mix of open path and interesting scents, with plenty of opportunities for a proper roam where conditions allow. Sheep can be present on nearby fields, so a lead is sensible in places, especially if your dog is excitable around livestock. Back in Craster, it is easy to round things off with a wander through the harbour area before heading home.
Distance: Approx. 4.5 miles return
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Terrain: Coastal path, grass, rocky sections
Dog friendliness: Very good, livestock nearby
Bamburgh Beach is a classic Northumberland leg-stretcher with a huge sense of space. The shoreline runs for miles beneath the dramatic silhouette of Bamburgh Castle, with firm sand at lower tides and dunes that add a bit of variety if your dog likes to sniff and explore rather than just sprint in a straight line. It is one of those places where you can keep walking until you feel like turning back, rather than aiming for a fixed loop.
It is an excellent choice for high-energy dogs thanks to the wide-open feel and plenty of room even on busy days. The coast here can be windy and exposed, so layers help outside of summer, and it is worth staying aware of seasonal wildlife signage in spring and early summer.
Distance: Up to 4 miles return
Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Wide sandy beach, dunes
Dog friendliness: Excellent, huge off-lead potential
The map is particularly useful if you are staying in the area and want to group walks together, however, if you’re looking for dog friendly locations further afield, our Wildpack Map has dog friendly points of interest across the UK.
What’s Nearby?
If you’re planning more time outdoors in Northumberland, these nearby guides pair naturally with coastal and inland walks.
- Dog friendly beaches in Northumberland
Long, open stretches of sand that work perfectly as walk extensions or stand-alone coastal days, many with year-round dog access. - Dog friendly walks in Northumberland National Park
Head inland for stunning hiking trails across this beautiful National Park. - Dog friendly walks in the North East
A wider look at woodland, moorland and riverside routes across the region when you want variety beyond the coast. - Dog friendly beaches in Scotland
If you are heading further north, Scotland’s coastline offers even more space, quieter beaches and wilder walking opportunities.
Final thoughts
Northumberland delivers depth as well as drama. These walks avoid overlap with National Park routes while still showcasing why the county is so well suited to dog owners. Whether you want endless sand, gentle riverside paths or estate walks with shelter, there is enough here to keep you exploring for years.