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Newton-by-the-Sea

An historic fishermen's square and a base to explore fresh and salt-water wildlife.

Newton-by-the-Sea

A delightful village which is popular for sailing and windsurfing with a lovely sandy beach and fine views across Embleton Bay to Dunstanburgh Castle. The area is renowned for bird watching and the National Trust owns most of the village and surrounding countryside. The 'square' is the heart of the old village, where low buildings surround a large grass square, with a pub in the corner serving bar meals and hot soups for those walking on wild days.

What can I do?  

• Discover the area's wildlife:

  1. Visit the Newton Pool, a freshwater Nature Reserve just 80 metres from the shore, with its accessible hides it is a good place to observe migrating birds.
  2. A breeding colony of terns can be found at Long Nanny Burn in the middle of Beadnell Bay. National Trust rangers are on-hand during the breeding season to show you the birds. The Long Nannycan be found by walking north along the Northumberland Coast Path to the mouth of the burn (follow the signs)
  3. On the soft rock shore look out for sponges and anemones on the overhanging rocks, or go rockpooling, finding hermit crabs and porcelain crabs.

• Take a short walk to Newton Point (fantastic views out to sea and the Farne Islands on a clear day) or Embleton Bay (with the backdrop of Dunstanburgh Castle - this fine sandy beach is one of the most spectacular in England). 

• For a longer walk head north along the Northumberland Coast Path to Beadnell or south vai Dunstanburgh Castle to Craster and catch the bus back

• Explore the village:

  1. Visit Low Newton Square – cream-washed cottages (built in the 19th Century for local fishermen) and an historic pub
  2. The Ship in The Square pub is a converted 18th Century house. At the rear, the semi-circular turret dates back to the 16th Century
  3. Also look out for the unusual St Mary’s church, which dates from the end of the 19th century. The church, originally purchased in kit form, is constructed from corrugated steel sheeting and features pretty stained glass windows - It is known locally as the 'Tin Church'.

What do I need to know?

  • Parking is limited and can be found at the top of the hill before descending into the village (there is no public parking in either High or Low Newton villages). Another small car park can be found at Link House beyond High Newton. Why not come by bus if you can (see below).
  • There is a National Trust visitor information point in the square.
  • Care should be taken on the Emblestones rocks, there is a risk of becoming stranded on an incoming tide.
  • There are no shops in either village. 
  • There are two pubs serving meals, one in Low Newton and another in High Newton.
  • There is little or no mobile phone signal in Low Newton.

Getting to Low Newton

The nearest bus stop is in High Newton-by-the-Sea, a ten minute walk from Low-Newton. High Newton is served by a two-hourly daytime bus service between May and September. There is a less-frequent service in the winter months.

The Travelsure 418 Service connects with Bamburgh, Seahouses and Belford to the North and Alnwick via the Coastal Villages to the south. The Arriva X18 stops at the crossroads, 1 mile from High Newton and continues to Berwick-upon-Tweed and Morpeth and Newcastle to the south.

More information about bus services can be found on our 'getting around' page.

Links

Downloads

Little tern leaflet (provides advice about visiting the Long Nanny tern colony)

Further information

Long Nanny Nature Reserve

In the middle of Beadnell Bay, where the Long Nanny Burn runs out onto the beach, there is a colony of nesting terns during the summer. 

Five thousand pairs of nesting arctic terns and a few pairs of the very rare little tern make it their home each summer, as do the National Trust rangers who look after them. 

To visit the Long Nanny tern colony you must walk the mile or so from either High Newton-by-the-Sea or Beadnell along the Northumberland Coast Path.

Please follow signs as you approach the site to avoid disturbing the birds, if you have a dog, keep it on a lead. Do go to the rangers’ hut where they will be happy to show you the birds.

St Mary's Church

St Mary's Church at Newton-by-the-Sea is part of the Parish of Embleton. It was originally built as a Mission Room towards the end of the 19th Century. Parish records show that regular evening services were held here in the late 1890's. In 1902, permission was granted for the building to be licenced for the celebration of Holy Communion and for Baptism.

In the early years, the building was used as the Church and Village Hall, probably until the 'Women's Institute Hall' was erected after the First World War. When this hall was closed in 1996, Newton Church Committee agreed that that Church could be used for all village meetings.