Iain Robson will lead a series of guided walks along the Northumberland Coast Path this summer to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the official opening of the path.
We officially opened the Northumberland Coast Path on a gloriously sunny day in Boulmer ten years ago this July. As part of the birthday celebrations I will be leading a guided walk along the entire length of the path this summer.
Each Friday between the 1st July and 5th August, I will lead a walk along a section of the path in the company of a coastal expert, maybe a botanist, geologist, ranger or birdwatcher. Why not come along and join me? You can choose to do one section or them all, it’s up to you.
The concept of a continuous path along the Northumberland coast was realised through a European Union Interreg project called ‘The North Sea Trail’ which provided funding to implement the trail on the ground. The Northumberland section was one of 27 coastal paths in seven different countries around the North Sea.
Since it opened, the path has attracted thousands of walkers from around the world. Long-distance walkers have to buy everything that they need from local businesses, so they are good for the local economy. They leave their cars behind, so they don’t fill up our car parks and clog up our roads.
The Northumberland coast has an excellent bus service which runs parallel to the coast path. To encourage walkers to leave their cars at home, the start time for walk coincides with the arrival of a bus and we will return to our starting point by bus. The second stage from Warkworth to Craster will be promoted as part of the national ’Catch the Bus’ week.
As well as the guided walks, there is a new website for the path – www.northumberlandcoastpath.org and a new passport scheme for walkers.
The guided walks are free to join but booking is essential as places are limited. Details of each stage and information on booking your place are as follows:
Stage 1 1st July Cresswell to Warkworth 10.5 miles (5 hours)
Start: 09:20 Cresswell Ices to coincide with the arrival of the Arriva No.1 from Ashington (change here from Newcastle)
Stage 2 8th July Warkworth to Craster 13 miles (6.5 hours)
Start 09:30 Warkworth Market Cross to coincide with the arrival of the X18 from Alnwick and Newcastle.
Stage 3 15th July Craster to Seahouses 9.5 miles (5 hours)
Start 09:30 Craster TIC to coincide with the arrival of the 418 from Alnwick and X18 from Belford/Seahouses
Stage 4 22nd July Seahouses to Belford 10.5 miles (5 1/2 hours)
Start 10:05 Seahouses TIC to coincide with the arrival of the Travelsure 418 from Alnwick and Belford
Stage 5 29th July Belford to Fenwick 7 miles (4 hours)
Start 1030 Belford Market Cross to coincide with the arrival of the X15 from Alnwick/Newcastle or the Travelsure 418 from the Coast.
Stage 6 5th August Fenwick to Berwick-upon-Tweed 12 miles (6 hours)
Start 1035 Fenwick A1 Bus Stop to coincide with the arrival of the X15 from Alnwick/Newcastle
Plan your journey using Journey Planner from Traveline NE
Booking is essential: Book your place by email to coastaonb@northumberland.gov.uk or by calling the AONB Partnership on 01670 620306
Iain Robson
Iain is the AONB Partnership's Access and Natural Environment Officer and alongside colleagues from Northumberland County Council planned and implemented the Northumberland Coast Path.
