A local's guide to Embleton

The historic village of Embleton lies just a mile from the Northumberland coast and is most famous for its gloriously wide sandy beach that seems to endlessly stretch into the distance for miles. 

The extraordinary views of Dunstanburgh Castle and incredibly tasty kippers don’t go unnoticed either! Close to the popular seaside destinations of Amble and Alnmouth, Embleton is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – on discovering this gorgeous place, you will understand why! Enjoy our guide to this idyllic destination and plan a trip for yourself.

Skip to 

• The village
• The coast
• The castles
• Nearby villages
• The accommodation

Embleton village

The quaint village of Embleton sits to the south of the county, boasting its own bay and views of the sea. Still very much a bustling hive of culture and community, many travel to experience its sweet charm. Embleton boasts several restaurants and traditional pubs with friendly atmospheres including The Greys Inn and The Blue Bell; both of these establishments offer delicious food and a well-deserved drink after a wind-swept walk. There is a small village shop where you can buy some local produce for home cooking and the kids can send their postcards at the handy post office.

There are also golf courses aplenty nearby, including the popular 18-hole Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course designed by the great golf course architect James Braid – the course is a brilliant challenge to golfers of all levels and abilities. Considered by many to be the friendliest golf course in Northumberland, and with Embleton Bay recently being named ‘Beach of the Year’ by Countryfile, the area is continuing to grow in popularity - so if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, Embleton is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

For more on golf, check out our guide on Northumberland golf courses. 

Embleton's coast

As Embleton is set on the coastline of Northumberland, you are spoilt with one of the best beaches in the area. This is one of the largest and most popular, yet never feels busy due to the sheer size of it. Long days can be spent here with the family, departing your holiday cottage in the morning with a picnic and not returning until late. Ball games, dune jumping, sandcastles, rockpool exploring and swimming can fill hours of fun - just remember the sun cream! The romantic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle provide an impressive backdrop for long lazy days and beach walks with the dog too; take the northwards wander to Low Newton, stopping for a well-earned lunch in the Ship Inn pub, the locally renowned eatery.

A little bit further from your doorstep you can explore the other beautiful coastal areas too. If you are feeling energetic and adventurous, you can reach other beaches by foot, but if you have little children it may be simpler to drive. Here are some of our suggestions:

• Beadnell Bay lies north of Embleton and is a mecca for water sports, so if you have the inclination to get adventurous on the water then this is the beach for you. 
• Bamburgh is home to Bamburgh Castle which is set right on the beach. If you’re holidaying with children, be sure to follow the coastal path where you will discover fascinating stories of mystery, intrigue and betrayal. 
• Craster lies south of Embleton where you will find another lovely shingle beach close to the harbour and fishing town. This gives variety to your beach adventures with another coastal path leading north to Dunstanburgh Castle. 

Along your wonderful coastal journey, you will come across many quirky tokens of local history which are well worth a visit – the ‘bathing rock’, the mystical ‘vanishing rock’, the ‘caterpillar hill’, and even a tribute to a long-lost Scottish pirate!

Read our guide on the best beaches in Northumberland to discover even more.  

Castles in Embleton

Northumberland is well-known in history for its castles and battles. These castles have been settings to many wars and their walls hold a fascinating history. There are a handful of impressive castles dotted along Northumbria’s coast with Dunstanburgh being set on the southern curve of Embleton Bay. The foreboding ruins of a fortress whose construction dates all the way back to 1313 is set atop a remote headland and it has played various roles throughout history, twice besieged by Yorkist forces during the War of the Roses. Nowadays, where soldiers once fought to defend the borders, visitors can explore the twin-towered keep, serenaded by the roar of the waves and captivated by the views of the rugged coastline.

Do you have a family of history buffs or a partner that’s obsessed with ancient castles? Then make sure you pay a visit to these coastal castles too:

• Bamburgh Castle - After passing between the Britons and the Anglo-Saxons three times, the fort came under Anglo-Saxon control in 590AD. The fort was destroyed by Vikings in 993, and the Normans later built a new castle on the site which forms the core of the present castle.
• Warkworth Castle – Thought to date from the 12^th century, this is one of the largest and strongest fortresses in Northern England. This is a fine example of medieval life and architecture and definitely worth a visit.
• Lindisfarne Castle - Perched on a rocky peak atop a remote island, you can’t get much more picturesque than this castle. Following the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII, this 16th-century Tudor stronghold was built to defend the Harbour of Holy Island.

Read about more castles in our guide to the best 6 castles in Northumberland. 

Nearby villages

Being based in Embleton gives you a lot of opportunities to explore further a field and discover more beautiful Northumberland villages.  Quite often doing a village tour of a new area can give you a real feel for the place, giving you a better insight into the culture and atmosphere. Here are some you could get to with ease, spending a couple of hours in each one.

Earlier we mentioned Beadnell and Bamburgh which both lie north of Embleton and are within easy reach by foot if you fancy a longer coastal walk. In-between them lies Seahouses, a picturesque fishing town which is definitely worth a visit if you like bustling harbour towns with character. Venture further north to the Holy Island and discover Lindisfarne village, one of the oldest and most mysterious in the county.

South of Embleton…

• Alnmouth - Alnmouth is a picture-perfect holiday destination steeped in history on the Northumberland Coast, located on the golden sandy estuary between the River Aln and the sea. With village shops, bars, restaurants, tea rooms and cafés, Alnmouth has plenty to offer visitors to the region. 
• Amble - Amble is a super-friendly fishing village, located on the Northumberland coast at the mouth of the River Coquet. The fish and chip shops in Amble are renowned in the Northumberland area as offering some of the tastiest fish and chips around – take the family and fill their tummies! 
• Warkworth - This is a village with a long history which is reflected in the fascinating castle which nestles beneath hillside. With art galleries, cafes, a unique harbour and lovely long beach, there is much to suit a variety of holidaymakers here. 

Accommodation

Now we have shared some of the wonderful things to see and do when staying in the lovely area of Embleton, it’s time to share some of the great cottages you can stay in. Whether you are planning a romantic break with the one you love, a family holiday with the gang or a quiet retreat with the dog, we will have something to suit you. From cosy apartments with sea views to large celebration houses by the beach, our selection of Northumberland cottages never fails! Here are some of the best in Embleton…

Relax, unwind and reconnect in this hidden gem….

Whinstone Cottage is a traditional cottage boasting a hilltop location and stunning views. Built using the local whinstone (hence the name) it was once the quarry master’s house in Embleton. With décor being kept very traditional throughout, from the grandfather clock to the antique wooden kitchen table, those who seek something set apart from the standard modern holiday home will love it here.

Sleeps 3 | Embleton | 2 dogs welcome

Highlight: Just moments from the cottage, you will find a lovely Italian restaurant called Sambuca - with very reasonable prices and delicious food, you might just find yourself here more than once!

Hideout in this beachside treat with your nearest and dearest…

Old Farm Buildings Cottage is a beautifully converted farm building which has a 4-star rating with Gold Award from Visit England and is situated in the National Trust’s village of Low Newton-by-the-Sea. Being set on the sandy beach of St Mary’s Haven, this is a particularly special spot and one the kids will absolutely love. It’s bright, spacious and cosy inside making it the perfect base to explore from.

Sleeps 6 | Low Newton-by-the-Sea | 2 dogs welcome

Highlight: There are lots of interesting things to see and do during your stay here, such as coastal walks, bird watching, water sports, fishing, horse riding and golfing.

And why not invite all your friends too and accommodate them in the neighbouring cottages?

Forget Me Not (sleeps 6) and The Granary (sleeps 6) can be booked alongside a number of other properties all at the same location close to the beach. These would be the perfect cottages for a large group, giving each family their own space. Equally, for a large group of friends, this is a good set up as there is plenty of socialising space and the beachside location opens up lots of opportunities for team games, BBQs and seaside swimming!

Highlight: Bright, spacious and modern spaces to retreat home to after days out exploring. Living areas are complete with TVs which means movie nights can be on the cards too! Your youngsters will love blowing of some steam in the vast shared garden, kitted out with play equipment.

If you are interested in visiting Embleton after reading this guide, make sure you browse our complete collection of holiday cottages that can be the icing on the cake to an already exciting adventure.