The section
The 44 mile (71 km) South Bents to Amble stretch was the 10th section to be completed. To the north Amble, a small port town sitting at the mouth of the River Coquet is the start (or end) of the current England Coast Path. This overlaps with the Northumberland Coast Path, the first stage of which runs from Cresswell to Warkwoth. The ECP then tracks south from here through nature reserves to St Mary's Lighthouse. After this the route passes through a number of seaside towns, Whitley Bay, Tynemouth, South Shields and Seaburn, finishing (in my mind anyway) at the Souter Lighthouse. All but one of the stages in this section are less than 5 miles.
The stages according to Sarah
Amble to Druridge Bay Country Park, Northumberland (4 miles/6.5 km)
This first section of the path follows the Northumberland Coast Path and partly follows the NCN Route 1. Starting in Amble Harbour, 'the friendliest port', it follows the dunes for the majority of the walk, passing miles of sandy beach as well as Hauxley Nature Reserve and ending at Drurdige Bay Country Park.
This first section of the path follows the Northumberland Coast Path and partly follows the NCN Route 1. Starting in Amble Harbour, 'the friendliest port', it follows the dunes for the majority of the walk, passing miles of sandy beach as well as Hauxley Nature Reserve and ending at Drurdige Bay Country Park.
Druridge Bay Country Park to Cresswell, Northumberland (5 miles/8 km)
Cresswell to Newbiggin Point, Northumberland (3.8 miles/6.1 km)
Newbiggin Point to Cambois, Northumberland (4.4 miles/7.2 km)
Cambois to Blyth Harbour, Northumberland (5.4 miles/8.8 km)
Blyth to Seaton Sluice, Northumberland (3.5 miles/5.7 km)
Seaton Sluice to St Mary's Lighthouse, Northumberland (1.9 miles/3.1 km) - Accessible
This section starts at Seaton Sluice beach and passes through the village, where you may wish to cross to Rocky Island to visit the Watch House Museum, before heading along the cliff tops to St Mary's Lighthouse. This is only accessible at low tide, if you wish to visit the lighthouse please check their website first for opening times as these change throughout the year. You may also wish to visit Seaton Delaval Hall (National Trust) which is located about a mile from the Seaton Sluice car park.
Walk Details: England Coast Path - Seaton Sluice to St Mary's Lighthouse
This section starts at Seaton Sluice beach and passes through the village, where you may wish to cross to Rocky Island to visit the Watch House Museum, before heading along the cliff tops to St Mary's Lighthouse. This is only accessible at low tide, if you wish to visit the lighthouse please check their website first for opening times as these change throughout the year. You may also wish to visit Seaton Delaval Hall (National Trust) which is located about a mile from the Seaton Sluice car park.
Walk Details: England Coast Path - Seaton Sluice to St Mary's Lighthouse
St Mary's Lighthouse to Tynemouth Priory, North Tyneside (4.8 miles/7.7 km) - Accessible
From St Mary's Lighthouse, the ECP continues to Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth which has seen some investment in modernising the seafront. Of particular note here is the renovated Spanish City, and although the fondly remembered funfair is no longer there, it is a special place to stop for tea or a bite to eat. The route also passes beautiful beaches and the Oceanarium before arriving at the stunning Tynemouth Priory (English Heritage). From here there are views across the Tyne to South Shields in the distance.
Walk Details: England Coast Path - St Mary's Lighthouse to Tynmouth Priory
From St Mary's Lighthouse, the ECP continues to Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth which has seen some investment in modernising the seafront. Of particular note here is the renovated Spanish City, and although the fondly remembered funfair is no longer there, it is a special place to stop for tea or a bite to eat. The route also passes beautiful beaches and the Oceanarium before arriving at the stunning Tynemouth Priory (English Heritage). From here there are views across the Tyne to South Shields in the distance.
Walk Details: England Coast Path - St Mary's Lighthouse to Tynmouth Priory
Tynemouth Priory to South Shields, North Tyneside/South Tyneside (4.4 miles/7 km) - Accessible
This section covers both north and south banks of the River Tyne and includes a trip on the Shields Ferry across the Tyne. Once these banks of the Tyne were busy with fishing boats and ship building, most traces of which have now disappeared, the banks are now busy with restaurant, bars and new housing developments and are prospering once again. The walk finishes at South Sheilds with a stunning view back across the mouth of the Tyne to Tynemouth Priory. Also worth visiting in South Shields is the recreated Roman villa at Arbeia and a walk along the pier.
Walk Details: England Coast Path - Tynemouth Priory to South Shields
This section covers both north and south banks of the River Tyne and includes a trip on the Shields Ferry across the Tyne. Once these banks of the Tyne were busy with fishing boats and ship building, most traces of which have now disappeared, the banks are now busy with restaurant, bars and new housing developments and are prospering once again. The walk finishes at South Sheilds with a stunning view back across the mouth of the Tyne to Tynemouth Priory. Also worth visiting in South Shields is the recreated Roman villa at Arbeia and a walk along the pier.
Walk Details: England Coast Path - Tynemouth Priory to South Shields
South Shields to Souter Lighthouse, South Tyneside (3 miles/4.91 km) - Accessible
The final walk in the South Bents to Amble section starts at the busy seafront in South Shields and finishes at the Souter Lighthouse (National Trust) passing Marsden Grotto. Marsden was well known for Marsden Rock, a pretty amazing rock formation on the beach (hint, its the image at the top of the page), but it was reduced in size for safety a short time after this photograph was taken in 1993. It is still worth walking down the 130 steps (or taking the lift) down to the beach as Marsden Grotto is still open as it's a pub and hotel.
Walk Details: England Coast Parth - South Shields to Souter Lighthouse
The final walk in the South Bents to Amble section starts at the busy seafront in South Shields and finishes at the Souter Lighthouse (National Trust) passing Marsden Grotto. Marsden was well known for Marsden Rock, a pretty amazing rock formation on the beach (hint, its the image at the top of the page), but it was reduced in size for safety a short time after this photograph was taken in 1993. It is still worth walking down the 130 steps (or taking the lift) down to the beach as Marsden Grotto is still open as it's a pub and hotel.
Walk Details: England Coast Parth - South Shields to Souter Lighthouse