Northumberland

Dunstanburgh Castle is a 1.3 mile walk along the coast from Craster; the village is the nearest access point.

It was built in the early 14th century by Earl Thomas of Lancaster; the castle was intended both as a refuge and a statement of power, since the Earl was opposed to the Crown. Subsequently, Dunstanburgh's defences were expanded in the 1380s by John of Gaunt in the light of the threat from Scotland and the peasant uprisings of 1381. It is now owned by the National Trust and run by English Heritage; we are members and go in to explore (see pictures and captions).

The castle was used as an observation post against invasion during WWII and we see some of the pill boxes as we leave and walk along the rocky shore towards Embleton Bay; once again, there are beautiul views as we look back.Weiterlesen

As we leave Dunstanburgh Castle, the rocky shore eventually changes to sand; we have reached Embleton Bay. There is a golf course on our left as we walk along the beach; we turn off at the club house to walk a half mile uphill to the village of Embleton and the local shop. It is pretty here and we visit the Church of the Holy Trinity before heading back to the bay; en route we have a lovely, different view of the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle - quite different to that from further along the bay.

We cross Embleton Mouth, where the burn enters the North Sea, and walk along the sand to Low Newton by-the-Sea. In the distance on top of a hill is the former Coastguard Station; it is now a National Trust holiday cottage. There are good views out to the sea from the beach.

Low Newton has a strong fishing heritage which is charterised by its picturesque three sided village square; the cottages were built in the 19th century for local fishermen. There is a nice looking pub here - The Ship Inn.Weiterlesen