The Spectacular Beaches of Northumberland 

Here in Northumberland we are particularly proud of our vast, unspoilt beaches as they are undoubtedly some of the finest in the UK.

Northumberland has some of the cleanest beaches in England and every major beach has been passed by the Environment Agency for the cleanliness of its water. From north to south, Northumberland's best beaches are:

SPITTAL BEACH: Soft golden sands on the south side of the Tweed estuary at Berwick. Graded "B" or good for its absence of litter.

BAMBURGH BEACH: Mile upon mile of long, golden sands overlooked by the magnificent Bamburgh Castle. A Rural Seaside Award winner, graded "B" or good for its absence of litter.

St AIDAN'S BEACH, SEAHOUSES: An arc shaped sandy beach with rocky outcrops and rock pools offering good views of the Farne Islands. A Rural Seaside Award winner.

BEADNELL BAY: A golden, sandy horse-shoe-shaped beach overlooked by sand dunes and a small harbour. This is the only west facing harbour along the length of England's east coast. A Rural Seaside Award winner, graded "B" or good for its absence of litter.

EMBLETON BAY: Reached from the villages of Low Newton and Embleton, this quiet, sandy bay is overlooked by the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. A Rural Seaside Award winner, graded "B" or good for its absence of litter.

ALNMOUTH: Soft, golden sands on the north side of the pretty, red-roofed holiday resort of Alnmouth.

WARKWORTH BEACH: Miles of soft, golden sands backed by an extensive range of dunes, a short drive or 15 minute walk from the historic village of Warkworth. A Rural Seaside Award winner, graded "B" or good for its absence of litter.

AMBLE LINKS: An unspoilt beach with occasional rocky pools, sheltered by an extensive range of dunes. A Rural Seaside Award winner, graded "A" or very good for its absence of litter - the cleanest beach in the County.

DRURIDGE BAY: A long, gently curving sandy beach, best reached from the Druridge Bay Country Park which is also beautiful with a large lake, home to many swans, geese and other migrating birds.  There is a visitor centre with a small cafe with toilets open in the summer months.  Good for its absence of litter. This bay becomes very popular in the summer, but is so vast it can never be described as "crowded"!

NEWBIGGIN BEACH: The beach is framed by the town itself and its new sea walls and esplanade, overlooked by St Bartholomew's Church above a rocky outcrop.

BLYTH, SOUTH BEACH: Soft, golden sands to the south of Blyth Harbour, overlooked by a line of windmills on the harbour wall. Graded "B" or good for its absence of litter.

SEATON SLUICE BEACH: Long, golden sands stretching north from the picturesque harbour of Seaton Sluice.