BAMBURGH CASTLE – A RICH HISTORY TO EXPLORE
Bamburgh Castle, perched on a dramatic basalt outcrop along the Northumberland coastline, has a history stretching over 1,400 years. Originally the site of a Saxon fortress, it was later transformed into a royal residence by the Normans after the conquest of England. The castle played a significant role in the medieval period, serving as the stronghold of the Kings of Northumbria. Over the centuries, Bamburgh Castle witnessed numerous battles and sieges, including a major assault during the English Civil War. Today, it stands as a symbol of Northumberland’s rich history and an iconic feature of the landscape. The castle’s enduring presence makes it a must-see on any Bamburgh Castle walk, where visitors can soak in both the natural beauty and the historical significance of this awe-inspiring monument.
For those looking to explore Bamburgh Castle on foot, the surrounding area offers a range of scenic walks with views that stretch across the stunning coastline and nearby Farne Islands. A walk around Bamburgh Castle allows visitors to experience the dramatic cliffs and golden sands that have been a part of the castle’s history for centuries. The path offers insight into the castle’s medieval defences, as well as the local flora and fauna that thrive in this protected area. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply enjoy coastal walks, a visit to Bamburgh Castle is a perfect way to combine outdoor adventure with a deep dive into one of the North East’s most historically significant landmarks.
You’ll discover the best viewpoint of Bamburgh Castle on this walk – which looks simply amazing at sunrise if you time it right!
MY FAVOURITE BAMBURGH CASTLE WALK ROUTE:
WALK OVERVIEW:
DISTANCE: 3.43 miles
TIME: 1.5-2 hours
TOTAL ASCENT: 264ft
DIFFICULTY: EASY
Bamburgh Castle walk map route:
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| This is a relatively quick walk of around 1.5-2 hours and goes in a clockwise direction. You head west out of the lovely village of Bamburgh and then head to Budle Bay via Newtown and Bamburgh Castle Golf Club. You then skirt around Budle Bay through the dunes (or on the sands if the tide is out) and head to Blackrocks Point which is a good place for a stop to soak up the best views of Bamburgh Castle. The views of Bamburgh Castle on this return leg of the walk are stunning and you’ll no doubt take lots of photos as you approach the castle. |
Photos of what to expect on this stunning Bamburgh Castle walk:
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| We park up for free in the main street that runs through the small village of Bamburgh and the views of Bamburgh Castle are already pretty impressive – but we head away from the castle and will return to it at the end of the walk where the stunning views will be a fitting end to one of Northumberlands best short walks |
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| As we head out of Bamburgh village we walk along the roadside and pass the likes of St.Aidens Church |
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| We come of the roadside path at this point and then head through the fields towards Newtown Hill |
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| We then follow the clear path that skirts around Newtown Hill (which can get a little overgrown) and head towards Bamburgh Golf Course. |
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| The footpath then takes you to and through Bamburgh Golf course – make sure you stay on the footpath and keep your eyes open for golf balls 😉 |
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| You want to be heading straight for Newtown farm cottages and you’ll get a glimpse of Holy Island in the distance on a clear day |
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| After passing the cottages you’ll get your first unobstructed view of the stunning sight that is Budle Bay |
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| The route then takes you past these caravans that have amazing views of Budle Bay |
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| It’s back onto the golf course to skirt around the edge of a green – and a little check of the GPS map to make sure we are actually going the right way haha |
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| Budle Bay in all it’s glory – what a sight – you can even make out Holy Island from here. In the distance there must be a shower as part of a rainbow appears. Unfortunately the wind is blowing from that direction! |
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| You are left with an option at this point to either follow the path on the grass, head along the dunes – or you can even walk on the beach if the tide is out. We choose the dunes initially |
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| After Budle Point we get on the beach and it’s a bit of a windy day – so it certainly blows the cobwebs away |
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| Getting some fresh sea air |
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| Admiring the rainbow and it’s getting more vibrant – great for a pic – but it also means a shower is incoming! |
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| Heading towards Black Rocks Point lighthouse – where we’ll stop for a brew and find shelter from the wind. |
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| It’s a full rainbow now – don’t see these very often what a sight! |
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| When we get to the lighthouse we glimpse Bamburgh Castle once more and the views are incredible. This is where we take a pit stop, grab some food and soak up this rugged Northumberland coastline |
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The majestic Bamburgh Castle – you’ll get the best views of the castle on this section of the walk
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| Looking back towards the lighthouse – notice the painting in the rocks! I’m not sure anyone knows how that got there or why? |
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| It’s a photographers dream on this section of the walk and the best views of Bamburgh Castle are to be had around here on Harkess Rocks |
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| Most of the beautiful photographs you see of Bamburgh Castle are from around this little area as the rocks give an interesting foreground to off set the majestic Bamburgh Castle |
THE BEST VIEWS OF BAMBURGH CASTLE
Here’s one I made earlier. This section of the walk is perfect for seeing the sunrise with Bamburgh Castle in the distance. It’s my favourite vantage point for a photos of Bamburgh Castle. You’ll no doubt see many photos in and around this location – but they are always different due to the changing weather conditions and skies!
Here’s my favourite section of the Bamburgh Castle walk from above by drone. If you are like me, you’ll want to spend a bit of time around here admiring the views – so bring a flask of tea to sit down and soak it all in.
BACK TO THE BAMBURGH CASTLE WALK…
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| After admiring Bamburgh Castle from a distance we now walk towards Bamburgh Castle along the beach and dunes |
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Simply make your way through the dunes, stick to the path and keep Bamburgh Castle on your left!
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What an impressive building. Although the structure has changed and evolved over the years a castle has stood on these rocks for over 1400 years! At this point of the walk you might want to take a visit inside it or head back to the start of the walk!
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| It’s actually raining now quite heavily so we don’t hang around long and head back to the car for a quick change before grabing some food and a drink in the village (I really recommend the Potted Lobster – it’s a homely Michellin restaurant serving great local seafood). |
That wraps another walk report up – I hope it inspires you to want to try the walk route for yourself. In my humble opinion it is the best short walk in Northumberland, on one of my favourite UK beaches – and the view of Bamburgh Castle is one of my all time favourites too! Whilst the weather wasn’t great on the day I done this particular walk – you may want to check out the blog post below for better photos in better weather conditions of Bamburgh Castle!
WALKS YOU MIGHT LIKE
TRAVELLING TO BAMBURGH IN NORTHUMBERLAND
Getting to Bamburgh by Car
Bamburgh in Northumberland is easily accessible by car. If you’re driving from the south, take the A1 northbound, which runs parallel to the stunning Northumberland coastline. Bamburgh is about 50 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne and the journey typically takes around an hour and 15 minutes. For those coming from Edinburgh, head south on the A1 for approximately 75 miles, with a journey time of about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Once you reach the village, there’s ample parking near Bamburgh Castle and the surrounding area, though it can get busy during peak tourist seasons, so arriving early is a good idea.
Getting to Bamburgh by Public Transport
Reaching Bamburgh by public transport requires a bit more planning but is still manageable. The nearest train station is in Berwick-upon-Tweed, around 20 miles to the north. Berwick is well connected to major cities like London, Newcastle, and Edinburgh via the East Coast Main Line. From Berwick, you can take a local bus, such as the Arriva X18 or X15, which offers a scenic route along the coast and takes approximately 45 minutes to reach Bamburgh. Alternatively, buses also run from Alnwick, a nearby town with additional connections. If you’re traveling by bus from Newcastle, the X18 service provides a direct route, though the journey can take around 2 hours.
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| This short walk is an absolute beauty and one of my favourites in Northern England – you simply have to do it sometime – the views of Bamburgh Castle on the return leg are incredible. |
Thanks for this information about your Bamburgh Walk – always wanted to visit and this walk sounds ideal
Pleased it was of use in planning your trip to Bamburgh Castle!