Sam
If you’re visiting Bamburgh, one of the best family-friendly walks is the Bamburgh to Seahouses beach walk. This lovely stroll stretches just over 3 miles one way along a stunning beach with fantastic views. Want to mix it up? You could take the St Oswald’s Way, which meanders through fields and quiet country roads. But if you’re up for the challenge of a circular route, walking to Seahouses and back brings the total distance to over 6 miles—perfect for a day out with the family, kids and dogs included!
Bamburgh to Seahouses Beach Walk
We had a bit of a lazy start to our day since, amazingly, the kids actually slept in (parents, you know how rare that is!). By the time we got everyone fed, dressed, and packed (yes, it always takes forever with kids and pets), it was 10:30 am. Off we went from our cottage in Bamburgh!
Tip: Make sure the kids have waterproofs on! Between the sea and puddles, they’ll definitely find a way to get wet. Our eldest loved wearing his new Bridgedale socks, which kept his feet dry and comfy the entire time. He even made a point to tell us how “cool” they were (win for mum!).
Contents
Finding Bamburgh Beach
To kick off the walk, head towards Bamburgh Castle and take the path just left of the bowling green. The beach here is vast, and the views of the castle are amazing—definitely a spot for family photos! The kids and dogs had an absolute blast running around the sand dunes and splashing by the water’s edge. The flat terrain made it easy for the little ones to keep up.
We reached Seahouses by noon, just in time for some grub!
Once in Seahouses
We grabbed lunch at the Bamburgh Castle Inn, which, happily, is dog-friendly. Finding places that welcome dogs is always a priority when they’re part of the adventure! The inn has outdoor seating, perfect for soaking up more fresh sea air while munching away. While a bit on the pricier side (around £30 for a main course, sandwich, and drinks), the food was delicious, and the atmosphere was just right for a family pit stop.
After refueling, we wandered around Seahouses harbour, where the kids loved spotting boats. It’s a cute, bustling little seaside village, perfect for a post-lunch walk.
The Journey Back: St Oswald’s Way
Instead of retracing our steps along the beach, we decided to return via the St Oswald’s Way, which takes you through scenic fields and country paths. Though charming, we did find it a bit more tiring (or maybe it was just post-lunch sleepiness setting in!). In hindsight, the beach route might have been easier, especially with kids. But the varied landscapes made it worth the effort.
Beach Walks with Kids: Tips for a Great Day Out
Pack Snacks & Water:
Keep everyone happy by bringing along their favourite treats.
Dress for the Weather:
Northumberland’s coastline can be breezy, so layers are key.
Beach Treasures:
Kids love collecting seashells and pebbles—give them a little bucket for their treasures.
Bring a Camera:
The views of Bamburgh Castle against the beach are stunning. You’ll want to capture these memories!
Flat & Easy Walking:
The beach walk is mostly flat, making it great for pushchairs and little legs.
Catch a Bus:
If little legs get too tired, hop on the bus from Seahouses back to Bamburgh—an easy way to cut the walk short if needed.
Why You’ll Love It
The Bamburgh to Seahouses beach walk is the perfect mix of adventure, beautiful scenery, and family fun. The kids will love the freedom of running on the wide sandy beaches, and there’s plenty of space for the dogs to let off steam too. Plus, the dramatic backdrop of Bamburgh Castle will have you snapping photos all along the way.
Whether you’re keen on exploring the beach or taking a detour through the countryside, this walk is a fantastic way to enjoy the Northumberland coastline with the whole family. Have you tried it? Let us know about your adventure!
Disclaimer: We were given the Bridgedale socks in exchange for a mention in my blog. However, my opinion is 100% my own.
Ah I love Bamburgh it is such a lovely place to visit. We have had many happy holidays in Northumberland, did you visit Alnwick thats my favourite place? Thanks so much for linking up #MondayEscapes xx
No we never made it to Alnwick, as we couldn’t take the dogs into the castle. Might explore the town next time we go though 🙂 xx
Ahh I have lovely memories of this walk! We did it when I was about 9. I loved the castle so much! I’d like to go back. #FamilyTravelTips
Thank you for commenting. Yes the castle is great isnt it? Its such a beautiful area to explore too
You have much more active holidays than us! #familytraveltips
Thank you Celine. We like getting out on holiday cycling or walking. I think we would get bored on other types of holidays! 😀
Isn’t bamburgh the best #familytraveltips
Yes, its beautiful!
We’ve just got back from Northumberland but sadly didn’t make it to Bamburgh Castle. My husband took the girls on a boat trip from Seahouses but I stayed with the dogs. We’ll definitely be heading back that way again soon, it’s really beautiful. Thanks so much for linking up to #FamilyTravelTips.
Nat.x
Oh we wanted to try a boat trip but I couldn’t figure out if any took dogs or not. Then again even if they did, I dont think our dogs would stay put on the boat. 😀
I”ve not been to Bamburgh and well done to your eldest walking most of the way. I’m impressed! I would love to see the castle and the local area one day. #familytraveltips
Its a beautiful area, you should make sure you can visit sometime in the future! Yes, our eldest is getting great at walking long distance. Long as there is food to eat he doesnt really care!
It looks stunning, Northumberland is high on my wishlist. That beach with the castle looking over it looks beautiful. Your lunch looked pretty tasty too! I hadn’t heard of St Oswald’s Way, but will be checking it out, always a fan of a walking trail. Thanks for sharing with #AdventureCalling
Lunch was fab! The St Oswalds Way starts on Holy Island and goes all the way down the coast towards Hadrian’s Wall Path. It looks a great walking trail.
This sounds and looks like a lovely walk. Your little one looks very cool and cute in his waterproofs – and yes you’re right: anything remotely water related needs full coverage in our house too! Oh and when you get the chance let me know how you got your kids to stay in bed until 7:30, even if it was just once. That’s a pipe dream for me haha. Thanks for joining us on #adventurecalling, I hope you can again tomorrow.
Ha! Yes, anywhere with water the kids need wrapped up otherwise they end up soaked! I think it was due to exhaustion that they slept until 7.30…it has never happened again!
thanks for sharing this perfect article with us