The England Coast Path (ECP) is still in formation and will be around 2,700 miles long when finished. The north east section runs down from the Scottish border to Spurn Point at the end of the Humber estuary. The north east part of the ECP is around 230 miles long. This Venture is to complete the north east section of the ECP in a series of out-and-back/circular day walks.
Summary
Detail
Berwick-upon-Tweed To Scremerston
Travel along dramatic clifftops, north and south of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Discover LS Lowry's association with the place and view his paintings at the location he painted them. Walk through history, along the walls of the fortified town. Admire the three distinct bridges across the river Tweed. A chance to see dolphins from the pier.
Scremerston To Holy Island
An out-and-back delightful beach walk along the huge expanses of Cheswick and Goswick Sands. View the causeway to Holy Island. Visits a large pillbox and limekilns at Cocklawburn.
Holy Island
An interesting walk around Holy Island (aka Lindisfarne). Visits Vera Stanhope's house (aka The Snook). Birds and seals (potentially) provide entertainment. Plenty of history on show including castle, church, abbey and limekilns. Visit needs to be co-ordinated with the tides.
Holy Island To Budle Bay
A walk that is flatter than a Johnny Cash ballad. Will be liked by those who don't mind a significant amount of road walking and field hopping. Distant view to Lindisfarne Castle. Visits the Fenham-le-Moor bird hide. Plenty of bird spotting possible along the marshes and mudflats.
Budle Bay To Bamburgh
Spend some time at the start to stand and stare at the amazing view of Bamburgh Castle. Head towards the lighthouse and say 'hello' to the painted white deer. Follow the coast to get an extensive view of Budle Bay with the distinctive outline of Lindisfarne Castle on the horizon. Take a zoom camera lens to snap some of the many birds that feed in Budle Bay. Field hop away from the coast to Harper's Heugh.
Bamburgh To Beadnell
Delightful out-and-back from Bamburgh to Beadnell. Spectacular castle at Bamburgh. Good view of Farne Isles. Wonderful beach walking. Visits the pretty harbours at Seahouses and Beadnell. Enjoy a staring competition with an Exmoor Pony.
Beadnell To Craster
Wonderful Northumberland beach walking between Craster and Beadnell. Visit the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle and the old lime kilns on Beadnell harbour. Take a mindfull moment in the hide at Newton Ponds nature reserve.
Craster To Alnmouth
A long out-and-back walk, following the England Coast Path, from Craster to the southern side of the estuary at Alnmouth. Although it is 20 miles long, the route is fairly easy going and reasonably flat. There's plenty of bird life along the way (including some steel ones), and it passes the oddity of the Bathing House. A chance to tour the twee town of Alnmouth.
Alnmouth To Hadston Carrs
A long but enjoyable walk along the Northumbrian coast between Druridge Bay and Alnmouth. Passes the Low Hauxley nature reserve if you fancy a bit of bird spotting. Out at sea, the mysterious Coquet Island seems only a stone's throw away. Follow the footpath over the breakwater and pier in Amble. Visit the superb Walkworth Castle. Meander along the dunes or follow the beach to get a wonderful view of Alnmouth. It may be nearly 18 miles long, but it doesn't seem a long walk.
Hadston Carrs To Cresswell
A super relaxing walk along the huge stretch of sand at Druridge Bay. Plenty of seabirds to keep you company all the way.
Cresswell To Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
An out-and back walk along the coast from Cresswell to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. Interesting walk through the grounds of Lynemouth Power Station, with terrific views of its slag and rubbish area. Delightful walk along the oddly enchanting Newbiggin-by-the-Sea promenade. Admire The Couple carrying out acrobatics on the beam out in the bay.
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea To North Blyth
An exploration of the coastline between Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and North Blyth. A bit more industrialised than the other parts of the Northumberland coastline, but in some ways this makes it interesting. Even so, there are areas where nature prevails and even thrives. Test out your fitness on Cambois' outdoor exercise machines.
Blyth
A lot better than you might expect (especially if you've talked to Barry on a previous occasion). Plenty to hold your interest including: WWI/WWII installations, historic quayside, industrial port, a riverside with lots of birdlife. Also has an enjoyable beach walk with great views of Blyth's port (to the north) and St Mary's Lighthouse (to the south). Find out whether fish can get vertigo...something we've all wanted to know.
Blyth To Tynemouth
An out-and-back from Blyth's South Beach to the Long Sands beach at Tynemouth. Visits the pretty harbour at Seaton Sluice. An opportunity to say hello to the seals on the rocks at St Mary's Lighthouse. Join the tourists at Cullercoats and Long Sands.
Tynemouth To North Shields
A very enjoyable walk around the coastal area of Tynemouth and North Shields. Visits the monuments of Lord Collingwood and Stan Laurel. Enjoy a moment of tranquillity in Northumberland Park. Investigate the rich history of the area along the North Tyneside Heritage Trail.
South Shields To Souter Lighthouse
A marvellous out-and back walk along the coast from the National Trust's Souter Lighthouse to South Shields Ferry terminal. Many interesting geographic, natural, wildlife, historical and cultural sites along the way. Descend down the cliffs to Marsden Bay and view the huge Marsden Rock. Drop in for a chat at the Conversation Piece artwork. Pick up some bargains in South Shields town centre.
Souter Lighthouse To Sunderland
A great walk from the National Trust's Souter Lighthouse along the coast to Sunderland. It follows the north bank of the River Wear to Wearmouth Bridge, returning to Souter by the same route. Excellent mix of clifftop walking and promenade strolling. Plenty of historical and cultural things to see enroute.
Sunderland To Seaham
Interesting coastal walk between Seaham and Sunderland. Easy, flat walking along cliff tops. Lose yourself in the numerous blue plaques in the old port district of Sunderland. Stroll along the pretty Sunderland quayside. Admire the aesthetically pleasing Wearmouth Bridge.
Seaham To Warren House Gill
An enjoyable excursion along the County Durham coast. Say 'hello' to Tommy, a fabulous WWI sculpture in Seaham. Learn about Seaham's rich industrial past. Enjoy the wildlife along the coast. Watch out for aliens.
Warren House Gill To Crimdon Dene
An interesting out-and-back clifftop walk along the County Durham coast. Brush up on your knowledge of the huge collieries that used to exist in this area. Visit the film location of the final dramatic scene in the British film classic, Get Carter. The whole route is one huge nature reserve with plenty of plants and wildlife to enjoy.
Crimdon Dene To Hartlepool (The Headland)
A beach walk between Crimdon Dene and Hartlepool. Visits the derelict, but impressive Steetley Pier. Say 'Wye Aye' to Andy Capp...well, at least a statue of him. A historical tour of Hartlepool's naval engagements. Learn why people from Hartlepool are called Monkey Hangers.
Hartlepool (The Headland) To Seaton Snook
A good mixture of walking including dunes, beach and pavements. Interesting views of industrial Teeside and Hartlepool. Passes the Royal Navy Museum if you want to drop in and see The Trincomalee, a 200 year old frigate. It does involve walking on pavements alongside busy A roads in Hartlepool.
South Gare Lighthouse To Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Wonderful beach walking between Saltburn-by-the-Sea and the mouth of the river Tees. Visit the site of the famous 'Dunkirk' scene in the film Atonement. Stand in awe at the toppled Redcar blast furnace. Enjoy the delights of the Redcar promenade.
Saltburn-by-the-Sea To Boulby Cliffs
A preamble to the walk is watching the surfers from the Saltburn-on-Sea pier. Gradual ascent to Hunt Cliff and then an education in industrial heritage as you descend down to Skinningrove. Climb again to one of the highest sea cliffs in England near Boulby. Out and back route.
Boulby Cliffs To Staithes
A shortish walk that climbs from sea level, at the pretty village of Staithes, up to the 666 foot high Boulby Cliffs. Spend some time exploring the toy town streets of Staithes. Have a one-sided conversation with a steely Boulby miner. Enjoy the magnificent views from the cliffside walking.
Staithes To Kettleness
Follows the Cleveland Way between Staithes and Seavey Bog Hill near Kettleness. Allow some time to stroll among the ridiculously pretty streets of Staithes and Runswick Bay. Learn about the ironstone mining at Port Musgrave and spend a mindful moment at Kettleness to sink in the coastal views. An out and back walk.
Kettleness To Sandsend
Tremendous Yorkshire cliff top walking between Sandsend and Kettleness. Excellent views along the coasts to Boulby Cliffs in the north, and Whitby to the south. Visits the alien landscape of the old alum quarry near Sandsend.
Sandsend To Widdy Head
An out and back walk along the coastal Cleveland Way path. This is really more of a wander than a walk since there are plenty of interesting distractions in Whitby to take up most of your day. What with abbeys, shipwrecks, busy harbours, quaint shops and streets, historic figures...the list goes on and on. Since it is an out-and-back walk simply don't walk as far on the other side of Whitby, if you get too distracted.
Robin Hood's Bay To Ravenscar
Classic walk along the Cleveland Way from the dramatic Ravenscar to the narrow streets of Robin Hood's Bay. Easy return to Ravenscar along the Cinder Track, an old railway route. Visits the remains of Ravenscar Alum Works and the Ravenscar WWII Radar Station.
Ravenscar To Rodger Trod
An out-and-back walk along the Cleveland Way from Ravenscar to Rodger Trod. Visits the WWII radar station at Ravenscar. Drops down to the gem of a cove at Hayburn Wyke with its waterfall on to the beach. Super views along the cliffs.
Rodger Trod To Scarborough
Stunning walk along Scarborough's northern coast. Expect cliffs, sand and promenades. Oh...and plenty of mud if there's been recent rain. Sit for a while with Freddie, a Ray Lonsdale's statue. Pay homage at Anne Bronte's grave. Eat some candy floss and lose some money at the Silver Dollar, if that's your thing.
Filey Brigg To Bempton Cliffs
A walk starting and finishing at the amazing bird city of RSPB Bempton Cliffs. Get a birds-eye view of the birds from the cliffside viewing platforms. Stunning views along the dramatic cliffs and beach. People watch while having a coffee or ice-cream on Filey promenade. Head out to the impressive peninsula of Filey Brigg.
Bempton Cliffs To Danes Dyke
A long walk, much of it cliffside walking with dramatic views of massive sea cliffs. Visits the RSPB site at Bempton Cliffs where you can watch thousands of birds swoop, glide and roost. Follows the coastal path around Flamborough Head with amazing views of the coves and sea caves. A stunning walk for landscape and nature.
Kilnsea To Spurn Point
A nature extravaganza with estuary birds guaranteed. Seals and Basil the fox are a potential. Easy beach and road walking. Many interesting historic sites. A walk that has everything...except hills.