Route: Budle Bay to Seahouses
Area: Northumberland
Date of walk: 8th September 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.9 miles
Ascent: 200 feet
Weather: Sunny spells
On our last day of a short walking holiday in Northumberland we opted for another linear coastal route, having been inspired by the vast and almost deserted sands of Beadnell Bay a couple of days ago
We drove over to Seahouses in good time to catch the 9.57am Arriva bus from the Post Office bus stop. The driver kindly offered to drop us off wherever we liked, which was by the track leading to Kiln Point. The place is shown as Budle on the OS map, though it’s not a village and there’s only a farm and a caravan park. After walking down the track we soon reached Budle Bay shoreline, where mile after mile of golden sand reached out into the distance, a glorious sight. As with our Beadnell Bay walk, we’d arrived at low tide and so we able to walk along the beach rather than follow a higher footpath above the dunes
After crossing Harkness Rocks, the thrilling sight of Bamburgh Castle appeared in the distance and we continued along the seemingly endless beach, passed by the ancient castle, and carried on to our destination – Seahouses
This was the end of a great walk, but it wasn’t the end of the day because there still remained time for a boat trip from Seahouses harbour around the Farne Islands. The boat ‘Glad Tidings‘ sailed round several of the islands, giving very close views of seals, cormorants, and even a couple of late puffins. A wonderful way to round off a wonderful stay in Northumberland
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
On the last day of our visit to Northumberland, we're blessed with a beautiful sunrise...
The small beach near The Bathing House, where we'd been staying for the past week...
The Bathing House, a special place which we will never forget
We drive to Seahouses in good time to catch the bus to our start point
The Farne Islands from Seahouses Harbour - if all went to plan I'd visit them after the walk
Bamburgh Castle from the harbour, we'll walk past the castle during the course of our walk
A short bus ride later we arrive at the track leading to Kiln Point to set off on today's walk
Looking inland along the stony beach
We head towards Budle Point
The stones are soon replaced by sand - lots of it...
Sand dunes, echoing the appearance of waves
Looking inland again
Budle Water
Windblown sand...
The lighthouse at Blackrocks Point
As we round the point, Bamburgh Castle comes into view
Wonderful views of the castle as we walk along the beach...
We pass by the castle and continue along the beach
Why fly all that way to the Caribbean when you can go to Northumberland instead?
Walking the dogs
Approaching Seahouses
The harbour at Seahouses
We check out the next sailing to the Farne Islands and book a ticket - Gilly decides to stay on terra firma
My boat comes in
We set off for the Farne Islands, about 30 minutes away. Bamburgh Castle is in the background
It's late in the season for many of the sea birds which visit the islands, but there are plenty of shags around...
The stars of the show are the grey seals, lolling around and generally looking contented with their lot...
Staple Island
Eider duck
Longstone Lighthouse
More grey seals...
Life's a beach
Most of the puffins have left by now, so I was lucky to have this sighting
Gannet
Back to port
