Beadnell Tourist Information

The North Sea coastal village of Beadnell lies just to the southeast of Bamburgh in Northumberland. It is part of the beautiful Northumberland Heritage Coast and is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Due to its curving coastline it is the only west-facing port on England's east coast and is consequently very well sheltered. The village has just over 500 residents and the local economy is based on fishing and tourism. In the past there was a limeworks and the historic limekilns, now fully restored, are on land owned by the National Trust.

However, archaeological evidence suggests that Beadnell has been inhabited for thousands of years. Bronze Age burial chambers have been uncovered nearby and there is a 13th century chapel at Ebb's Neuk Point.

Close to the site of the lime kilns is the delightful harbour, built in the 1790s. It was once the centre of local smuggling of spirits and other high-tax goods. It is now mostly privately owned. John Craster gave the harbour to 25 fishermen in 1947 and it remains in the hands of those same fishing families today.

Present Day Beadnell

Beadnell is a charming North East coast village with a range of small shops meeting local needs. There are some good pubs, a coffee shop and restaurants in season, offering a choice of places to eat. The village has a post office and off licence, a general store and a chip shop which serves superb freshly caught fish among other local favourties.

Old cottages and pretty houses line the coastal road and the nearby A1 makes the village very accessible. In the summer the pretty harbour is filled with colourful local boats and pleasure craft. Local fishing provides wild salmon, crabs and lobsters which are served in the local restaurants.

Beadnell has its own Parish Church which was built in 1746 and is dedicated to St Ebba. A much older Pele Tower, circa 16th century, is part of the local pub, the Craster Arms.

The long stretch of sandy beach at Beadnell has been awarded Blue Flag recognition for its clean waters. At the far end of the sands are the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle.

Things to do in Beadnel

One of the main attractions to the area is Beadnell Bay, a 3km stretch of sand to the south of the village. It has a colony of little terns and has the largest mainland colony of Arctic terns in the UK, making it ideal for ornithologists and nature-lovers in all seasons.

This lovely area of the wild Northumberland coast is popular for scuba diving, fishing and walking and the nearby Cheviot Hills are an attraction for those who enjoy cycling and hiking amidst stunning scenery. The sheltered bay is ideal for sailing and windsurfing and the nearest golf club is a mile away, towards Seahouses.

Boat trips run from Seahouses to the offshore Farne Islands which are home to a cross-section of marine life for divers and interesting coastal flora and fauna for naturalists.

Day trips from Beadnell can be enjoyed to Holy Island, the dramatic Scottish borders or Alnwick Castle, Bamburgh Castle and Dunstanburgh Castle. The Howick Hall Gardens and the historic houses at Cragside and Paxton House offer something for every visitor to enjoy.