While away the day at Druridge Bay

Druridge Bay in Northumberland is a beautiful 7-mile stretch of sand running from Amble to Cresswell and is an area bursting with wonderful wildlife and beauty.

The coastline of Northumberland is a spectacular location for a holiday in Britain with many historic villages, castles and beaches to visit, as well as lively communities and great places to eat and drink. You could spend weeks here exploring all the nooks and crannies of Northumbria, taking in all the scenic beauty, wildlife and culture.

Druridge Bay has a fascinating history, being thought of as a possible landing place for German invasion during World War II. When walking along the sand, you can still see the anti-tank blocks and pill boxes that were installed there to protect our shores from the enemy. History enthusiasts, especially those interested in that period, find these fascinating and many love the fact they have been left there for us all to come across now; a bit of the past left behind.

Time has moved on, and the bay no longer sees such hardship and disruption; in fact, today it is a popular spot for people to enjoy the beach during their days off, afternoon strolls and weekend wanderings. It is a place where people come to surround themselves in nature and wildlife, and to get that fresh-air fix that we all need now and then. There is something for everyone in this fantastic spot.

Spend a day at Druridge Bay Country Park

Set slightly inland from the coastline, Druridge Bay Country Park is centred around a large lake with surrounding meadows and woods. The park has all the amenities that you need to be able to enjoy days out here including a café, children’s play area and toilets. Drurdge Bay Country Park is the perfect spot for walks and picnics, which makes it a really family-friendly attraction. With all the woodland space surrounding the fresh water lake, and miles of beach to explore, there are lots of opportunities for all sorts of play time. Just think how many hours can be spent feeding the ducks and building sandcastles. 

There are lots of activities that can be enjoyed here which all the family can enjoy, some of which include water sports, bird-watching, walks, orienteering and cycling. The network of paths throughout the park makes it easy to get about and explore on whatever method you choose and the visitor centre is a good place to rest the legs and pick up a little souvenir from the shop. A day spent here is a day well spent. 

Wildlife spotting at Druridge Bay

The Northumberland coast is rich in wildlife, but Druridge Bay is particularly popular because of its nearby nature reserves and the great sandy beach. Whilst many people love to come to a beach to burn off energy, play ball games and swim in the sea, many simply come to be at one with nature and spot coastal birds. 

If you are one of those people, here are some key species of birds to look out for when spending time on the bay:

• Shore lark
• Snow bunting
• Twite
• Rock and water pipits
• Black-throated and red-throated divers
• Slavonian grebes
• Long-tailed ducks

With so many species to look out for, it makes sense to take your binoculars and a picnic so you can pitch in for the day and watch the birds come and go with the pace of the tide. While you are here, you could check out some other nearby nature reserves which include Coquet Island, Cresswell Pond and Ellington NR. 

Visit some other attractions close to Druridge Bay

If you are staying in the area for a week or so, you will perhaps want to find other things to do to get that nice balance between quiet wilderness time and tourist delights. There are a number of delightful coastal villages to visit which are lovely to potter around to soak up local culture. To the north of the bay lies Amble, which you could walk to for a bite to eat or some great shopping. Warkworth and Alnmouth are also close by, so you could always hop in the car and do a village tour one day. You will discover each village to be different but equally charming. 

There are many adventure companies who offer excursions which you may not be able to try elsewhere. Adventure Northumberland, based in Alnwick, is a good example of a company who can take you on all sorts of adventures, from kayaking and canoeing to climbing tours and coasteering. This is a great way to spend time with your family and friends, with many of the activities based around team-work, and of course the constant element of fun and laughter that such activities bring. 

For some more great ideas, check out our guide on 10 things to do on the Northumberland coast. 

When in Northumberland, time must be factored in to visit the amazing castles of the region. From Bamburgh Castle set on the beach, to Alnwick Castle offering broomstick lessons, there is so much magic to be found and history to be admired. Warkworth Castle is the one closest to Druridge Bay, crowning a hilltop above the River Coquet. It is one of the largest and most striking, and you can explore its walls and admire the views during your visit. For more information on Northumberland’s castles, check out our guide to the six best in Northumberland. 

Where to eat near Druridge Bay

As mentioned before, there is a café in Druridge Bay Country Park which can offer up light snacks, larger lunches, hot drinks and fresh baking. This is the perfect pitstop during your day in the park, and saves the hassle of packing up a picnic if that isn’t your style. However, there are some lovely places to eat in Amble, which sits to the north of the bay and is host to a great selection of cafes, bars, pubs, takeaways and restaurants.

Here are some of our favourites:

• Wellwood Arms - a relaxed pub offering up delicious home-made grub which can be enjoyed with some local ale. 
• The Old Boathouse - based on the harbourside, this is a lovely restaurant serving seafood dishes whilst boasting an amazing selection of wine. 
• Harbour Fish Bar - a great takeaway with friendly service and a varied menu which will suit all ages and tastes. 
• The Amble Butcher - if you like cooking up a storm whilst on holiday in your self-catering cottage, then this butcher is the place to go for quality cuts of meat and amazing pies. 

Where to stay near Druridge Bay

If you have been inspired to visit Druridge Bay in Northumberland, make sure you check out our self-catering holiday cottages which can offer the perfect base for any holiday. Whether you are travelling as a couple, a group of friends, a family with young children or a family with teens, we have a great selection of cottages that cater to everyone's needs.

Whinneycook Cottage is a lovely cosy holiday home nearby to Druridge Bay. It provides a welcoming and comfortable home to come back to after days out on the beach and exploring the surrounding area. There is lots to see and do from here including Craster, Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh, and let's not forget, the Holy Isle. The property has a large garden balcony which catches lots of sunshine throughout the day. It is fully equipped with everything you are going to need, and there is a BBQ and seating area for al fresco dining. 

View this cottage, and the full collection of Druridge Bay cottages, by clicking the button below.

If you are interested to find out more about where to spend your days by the sea, check out our guide to the best beaches in Northumberland.