Route: Warkworth
Area: Northumberland
Date of walk: 2nd September 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 4.4 miles
Ascent: 400 feet
Weather: Sunny
The unspoilt village of Warkworth is dominated by ancient Warkworth Castle, once the seat of the Percy family. Our original plan had been to take a short walk around the village, but the lure of the nearby beach and dunes persuaded us to extend the walk a little further
We parked in the free car park outside Warkworth, near the golf course, and strolled down to the beach. Having breathed in some fresh sea air and admired the views along the coast we retraced our steps and followed a path beside the road into Warkworth
We crossed the old bridge and then joined a delightful riverside path known as Monks Walk. This took us past the church as far as the Hermitage, which is an old chapel carved out of the rock, and only accessible by boat on certain days (today was not one of those days). We left the river here to walk along lanes and through fields to Warkworth Castle. The castle is renowned for its beautiful cross-shaped keep and we spent a fascinating hour or so wandering around the atmospheric ruins
After leaving the castle we walked back into the village, crossed the bridge again and retraced our steps to the start of a wonderful short walk
This wasn’t the end of the day however and from here we drove over to The Bathing House at nearby Howick, which will be our base for the next few days. The house is set in such a spectacular position on the Northumberland coast that when we made our original enquiry it was booked solid for 2 years in advance. Our time has finally arrived and we can’t wait to see what the next few days have in store…
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On leaving the car park we take a short stroll to the beach for a view along the Northumberland coast...
We then follow a path into Warkworth
The River Coquet - we will follow the riverside walk past the church
We cross the ancient two-arched bridge
We turn right at the fortified gateway
A view back to the bridge from the start of the riverside section of the walk
Looking across the River Coquet
As we round a bend in the river, Warkworth Castle comes into view
We leave the riverside by the sign ahead
A quiet lane leads uphill away from the river
We walk across the fields, with views of the sea and the castle ahead
Warkworth Castle...
Views from the castle
Coquet Island and the village of Amble
Looking back to the castle as we walk back into Warkworth
The beautiful Church of St Lawrence, dating from the 12th century
We cross the River Coquet again and retrace our steps back to the car park - a wonderful start to our short walking holiday in Northumberland
A short while later we arrive at The Bathing House, our base for the next few days
View from the bedroom window
Looking south from the small garden...
...and now looking north to Dunstanburgh Castle
The house was built in the early 19th century by the 2nd Earl Grey (of Earl Grey tea fame)
The Earl had 16 children and the house was built specifically for the family to go bathing
The Northumberland Coast Path runs behind the house
Dusk, and we look forward to tomorrow's planned walk from the doorstep
