Magnificent Bamburgh Castle provides a backdrop at this
beach, which has been popular since the Victorians first 'invented' the seaside.
The sands run almost unbroken between Seahouses and Bamburgh, with dunes and just
a couple of rocky areas that always prove popular with the children.
The area of beach in front of the Castle is quite sheltered, so usually gets busy
when the weather is good with, of course, sand-castles galore! The dunes at this
point used to be home to a number of private beach huts but they have all but
disappeared now.
A short distance away to the north there is a small white lighthouse on a rocky
outcrop and, beyond that, a huge sandy bay that tends to be quiet even during
the main holiday season. This is probably because it isn't easily accessible from
the main road.
The best way to reach the bay is along the small road that leads to the Bamburgh
Golf Club, then down a path to the sand. When the tide is out, the expanse of
beach is tremendous and it is a good place for a quiet walk, paddling in the surf.
Continuing northwards, a few ancient wooden posts mark the site of an old jetty.
It's difficult to imagine that centuries ago this area was a busy port for Bamburgh.
The coastline curves around into the mud-flats of Budle Bay, which is a popular
bird-watching spot and the scene of many an impressive sunset.
|
|
Bamburgh
Castle
and beach |
The
sands in front of the
Castle. The Farne Islands
can be seen in the distance |
| The
bay to the north of Bamburgh Golf Club |
TEXT AND PICTURES
© GEOFF STAFFORD
1998-2001
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