Beaches

Northumberland has one of the cleanest coastlines in the country. In 2001, its 12 main beaches all passed the Environment Agency's basic standard for Coastal Bathing Water.

Six beaches went on to achieve Rural Seaside Awards for their cleanliness and safety from the Tidy Britain Group. In 2002, the Environment Agency also published its litter rating for a number of beaches across the country (although not all beaches in Northumberland were assessed).

From north to south, Northumberland's best beaches are:

• SPITTAL BEACH: Soft golden sands on the south side of the Tweed estuary at Berwick. Graded "B" or good for its absence of litter.
• BAMBURGH BEACH: Mile upon mile of long, golden sands overlooked by the magnificent Bamburgh Castle. A Rural Seaside Award winner, graded "B" or good for its absence of litter.
• St AIDEN'S BEACH SEAHOUSES: An arc shaped sandy beach with rocky outcrops and rock pools offering good views of the Farne Islands. A Rural Seaside Award winner.
• BEADNELL BAY: A golden, sandy horse-shoe-shaped beach overlooked by sand dunes and a small harbour. A Rural Seaside Award winner, graded "B" or good for its absence of litter.
• LOW NEWTON: A beautiful sandy bay with views of Embleton Bay and Dunstanburgh Castle to the south. There is a nature reserve behind the sand dunes with a hide (wheelchair access). A Rural Seaside Award winner.
• EMBLETON BAY: Reached from the villages of Low Newton and Embleton, this quiet, sandy bay is overlooked by the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. A Rural Seaside Award winner, graded "B" or good for its absence of litter. Alnmouth. Please note that bathing is dangerous at Alnmouth, especially near the estuary as the river shelves steeply and there are fast currents.
• WARKWORTH BEACH: Miles of soft, golden sands backed by an extensive range of dunes, a short drive from the historic village of Warkworth. A Rural Seaside Award winner, graded "B" or good for its absence of litter.
• AMBLE LINKS: An unspoilt beach with occasional rocky pools, sheltered by an extensive range of dunes. A Rural Seaside Award winner, graded "A" or very good for its absence of litter - the cleanest beach in the County.

To see a map of the AONB click here.

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