• Newton-by-the-Sea

Newton-by-the-sea

Newton-by-the-Sea is one of the most stunning villages on the Northumberland Coast, with a quiet, golden sand beach, spectacular views across Embleton Bay to Dunstanburgh Castle, plus proper coastal pubs.

The parish is made up of coastal Low Newton and High Newton, which sits half a mile inland. They are a 10-minute walk apart and offer plenty to see and do.

This tiny National Trust village makes one of the most rewarding stops in the North.

Free Newton-by-the-Sea itinerary

Table of Contents

  1. Choose a beach walk
  2. Explore the local history
  3. Visit Northumberland pub
  4. Go birdwatching
  5. Play golf
  6. Enjoy the watersports
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Choose a beach walk

Newton Beach is mesmerising, with crystal-clear water and a peaceful atmosphere that rarely feels crowded. Even during peak periods, there’s usually plenty of space to find your own spot and unwind.

  • 1. Stroll to Newton Point

    For a short walk, visit Newton Point for amazing sea views and the chance to see the Farne Islands on a clear day. Look southward and you'll see Embleton Bay set against the dramatic Dunstanburgh Castle.

  • 2. Walk to Craster for kippers

    For something more active, walk the beach all the way to Craster. You'll see Dunstanburgh Castle up close before stopping for some famous Craster kippers, on a route many rate as one of the best walks in the country.

  • 3. Head north to Beadnell

    You can also head north along the Northumberland Coast Path to Beadnell. It's a beautiful, hour-long walk to High Newton from our Beadnell holiday cottages and you can follow the route easily with our Beadnell coastal walk guide.

4. Explore the local history

In this quaint little hamlet, head to Low Newton Square, where lovely old fishermen’s cottages gather around a grassy green that opens out to the beach.

Just a little to the north, the striking St Mary’s Church is a rare “tin tabernacle” built from corrugated iron in the late 19th century, with pretty stained-glass windows inside.

5. Visit a classic Northumberland pub

In the corner of the square, the historic Ship Inn is a converted 18th-century house with its own microbrewery and a 16th-century turret round the back. It’s the perfect spot for a home-brewed ale and a famous crab sandwich after a beach walk. Dogs are welcome on a lead inside and out, though lively pups may be asked to stay in the outdoor seating, as the rooms are small and low-ceilinged.

Over in High Newton, the sleepy hamlet half a mile inland, The Joiners Arms is a brilliant place to refuel. This restored 18th-century inn serves hearty country food and local ales, and it’s wonderfully dog-friendly, with water bowls throughout and dogs welcome to stay over in the rooms too.

For something sweet, Sarah’s Ice Cream Parlour is a short drive away at Newton Crossroads on the B1340, serving Morwick Dairy ice cream, hot drinks and snacks. With picnic benches and views over the fields, it’s a lovely pit stop on your way to or from the beach, and they even do dog ice cream for your four-legged friend.

Grey partridges at Newton by the sea

6. Go birdwatching

If you’re after some brilliant birdwatching, Newton-by-the-Sea won’t disappoint. Around the village you’ll spot all sorts of species, from common terns and eider ducks to curlews and grey herons, alongside wildlife like grey seals, harbour porpoises, roe deer and brown hares.

For rarer birds, head to the Newton Pool Bird Reserve. It’s a short stroll from the Low Newton public car park towards the village square, following the path behind The Ship Inn. The wet grassland beside the path draws all kinds of wading birds, with notable sightings including little and Temminck’s stints, a pectoral sandpiper and a Baird’s sandpiper that had migrated from Boulmer.

Further along, a newly built bird hide sits at the edge of a freshwater pond, a tranquil spot to take in the scenery and watch wildlife up close. So close to the coast, the reserve draws migratory birds in spring and autumn, and has even hosted rarities like the red-backed shrike, yellow-browed warbler, red-breasted flycatcher, and greenish and barred warblers.

7. Play golf

One of the great things about the Northumberland coastline is that it’s blessed with amazing golf courses, and in Newton, you won’t be far from some of the best courses in the country. Some are within walkable distance!

The closest one is at Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club in nearby Embleton, just one mile down the road. And there’s also Bamburgh Castle Golf Club within driving distance, offering a scenic coastal view and challenging play.

Golf course near Newton by the sea
Waves at Newton-by-the-sea

8. Enjoy the watersports

Newton Bay is a prime spot for water sports. When the conditions are right, the waves are brilliant for surfing, and some locals will tell you Newton is the home of windsurfing in the UK. It’s great for yachting and kite surfing too, and because the beach is so big, you’ll rarely have to share it. Perfect for a relaxed surf or sail.

To hire kit or book lessons, check availability with Adventure Northumberland, who offer kayaks, SUPs and coasteering. Or try your hand at surfing with the brilliant instructors at NE Surf School in Bamburgh, just a 20-minute drive from Newton.

Visiting with a dog

Well-behaved dogs are welcome on Newton beach all year round. Just note that around Newton Point, the nature reserve and the Long Nanny tern colony, you may be asked to keep them on a lead during the bird breeding season from around May to July.

Getting to Newton-by-the-Sea

Newton-by-the-Sea is easily reached by car via the A1, following the B1340 and B1339 towards the coast. It's around an hour from Newcastle, 40 minutes from Berwick-upon-Tweed, and just 10 minutes from our holiday cottages in Beadnell. If you're travelling by public transport, the nearest station is Chathill. Alnmouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed also have more frequent rail services with onward bus and taxi connections. The Arriva X18 bus also stop at villages along the Northumberland coast.

Where to Park:

The main option is the Low Newton pay and display car park, just above the village and a short (but steep) walk from the beach.

If you’d prefer free parking, High Newton car park is a little further away but within walking distance.

Blue Badge holders can also use two free parking bays in the village square.

You can check the latest rates on the Northumberland County Council website.

How to spend a day in Newton-by-the-Sea

Morning

  • A walk on the beach. Start with Newton at its quietest. Park up, head down through Low Newton square and onto the sand for a morning stroll, with Dunstanburgh Castle on the horizon to the south.
  • Sea views at Newton Point. Take the short walk out to Newton Point for sweeping views along the coast, and look out for the Farne Islands on a clear day.
  • Wildlife at Newton Pool. Follow the path behind the Ship Inn to the Newton Pool nature reserve, where the bird hide is a peaceful spot to watch the waders and migrating birds.

Afternoon

  • Lunch at the Ship Inn. Settle in at the much-loved Ship Inn for a famous crab sandwich and a pint of home-brewed ale, right in the corner of the square. 
  • Walk to Dunstanburgh Castle. Walk off lunch along the beach towards the dramatic castle ruins. Keen walkers can carry on to Craster for a portion of its famous kippers before looping back.
  • Cool off or catch some waves. If conditions are right, spend the afternoon surfing, paddleboarding or kayaking in the bay. For something gentler, drive up to Sarah's Ice Cream Parlour at Newton Crossroads for a scoop with a view.

Evening

  • Dinner at the Joiners Arms. Head inland to High Newton for hearty country food and local ales at the wonderfully dog-friendly Joiners Arms.
  • Sunset by the sea. Wander back down towards the coast to round off the day, with the evening sky over the bay.

Book Your Stay Today

There's a lot to love about Newton-by-the-Sea, and our self-catering cottages in Beadnell put you just a 10-minute drive from all of it. Cosy, characterful and right by the coast, they make the ideal base for beach days, coastal walks and lazy pub lunches, with the rest of Northumberland on your doorstep too. Book your stay today and see it for yourself.
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