Description
Alnmouth to Warkworth
Alnmouth to Warkworth is a beautiful walk along the beach. We will have a stop for lunch at Warkworth beach before heading back to Alnmouth.
As you probably know the sand is an excellent surface to Nordic walk on. We can really focus on our technique as we power along the sand. Julie will give extra pointers on technique.
Details
| Hills: |  |
No hills |
| Distance: |  |
Medium distance |
| Grade: |  |
Moderate (Distance) |
| Map: |  |
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| This walk is on OS map Explorer 332 Alnwick & Amble. Click on map image to buy this map. | ||
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Start
The route we use roughly follows the Northumberland Coast Path, although we stay on the beach as much as possible. We start at Alnmouth Car Park and Walk round the back of Alnmouth, by the river. Then we join “Lovers’ Walk” and soon reach the bridge. We cross the bridge and head onto the Coast Path, which doubles up as a cycleway, to reach the beach on the other side of the Aln estuary.
The River Aln and St Cuthbert’s Cross
We will take in a little of the history at the point where the Aln River splits Warkworth beach from Alnmouth beach. There are several reminders of its religious past.
The ruined Mortuary Chapel was built 1869-70. It was part of a plan to reopen the cemetery on Church Hill (the site of the ancient parish church of St Waleric, the remains were destroyed by the 1806 flood). The roof of the chapel was deliberately removed by the National Trust in recent times to deter squatters and is now a grade II listed building. It was recently made famous in an episode of Vera.
From the Mortuary Chapel, we will head up the small hill to St Cuthbert’s Cross. There are really good views all round from here, especially of our halfway point, Warkworth.
The Cross is said to be the location where St Cuthbert agreed to become Bishop of Lindisfarne when petitioned by the King.
The beach can be accessed close to the Cross. It is best to get on there as quickly as possible and start really enjoying our Nordic Walking.
Birling Carrs
Generally the beach is flat and easy to walk on. The only rocky bit is Birling Carrs, which extends out into the sea. Luckily, the tide will be out when we reach it. So, with careful steps, we can get over these fairly easily. However, there is an alternative route via the caravan site, if anyone wants to avoid the rocks.
Lunch at Warkworth
We will stop for lunch on the beach at Warkworth, please bring a picnic.
The return
After lunch we will head back to Alnmouth, missing out St Cuthbert’s Cross and heading straight over the dunes and retracing our steps back to our favourite tearoom in Alnmouth, The Village Tearooms.
We hope you can join us.
Julie and Martin xx
Gallery – Alnmouth to Warkworth
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Strolls with Poles – Nordic Walking for Fun and Fitness