Howick, near Longhoughton and Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 3LH
Howick Sands
Beach
Place photograph
5.5
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.5A quiet sandy bay reached on foot from the Northumberland coast path, with the return walk taking in bird cliffs, flower meadows and views towards Dunstanburgh Castle.
Howick Sands is more than a beach stop: its strongest experience is the walk in and out, linking pale sand with gorse, coastal meadows and a broad North Sea horizon. The landscape rewards a slower visit, but access details and beach conditions should be checked before travelling.
Peaceful · Wild
Find your way
Open mapHowick, near Longhoughton and Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 3LH
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The experience
The beach is best treated as part of a coastal walk rather than a drive-up attraction. Choose a short out-and-back if time is limited, or follow the sourced Craster–Howick Hall–Sugar Sands circular route for a fuller day on foot.
Things to do
Walk to the sands by the coastal path
Reach the bay via the metal footbridge and bank described in the supplied circular-walk account. Check current route access and conditions before setting out.
Look for seabirds at Cullernose Point
The walk account reports fulmars and kittiwakes nesting at the bird cliffs in summer.
Notice the coastal flowers
The account describes buttercups, clovers and orchids in the meadows on the outskirts of Craster in summer.
Visit the Iron Age earthwork
A gate just north of the footbridge gives access to an earthwork mentioned in the walk description. Confirm access and stay on permitted paths.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Check before visiting; no verified short-route distance or duration supplied.
Quick beach escape
- 01
Use a current map and confirm the approach before setting out.
- 02
Follow the coastal route to Howick Sands via the footbridge described in the supplied walk account.
- 03
Spend time on the shore, then retrace your route; check conditions before returning.
Half day · 6 miles; allow time for the route and any stop at Howick Hall.
Make a half day of it: Craster, Howick Hall and the sands
- 01
Begin at Whin Hill, Craster, following the described route towards Howick Scar.
- 02
Continue by footpath to Howick Hall; the walk account notes that garden entry is paid, so check current prices and opening arrangements.
- 03
Follow the wooded Long Walk towards the coast and turn towards Sugar Sands at the footbridge.
- 04
Return towards Craster on the coastal path, passing Rumbling Kern and Cullernose Point.
Verified history
The supplied walk guide identifies an Iron Age earthwork near the footbridge to Sugar Sands. It does not provide further historical detail about the beach itself.
Hidden details
A coastal earthwork near the beach approach — The walk guide notes an Iron Age earthwork reached through a gate just north of the footbridge. Its condition and current access should be checked on the ground.
When to go
June · July · August · Check the weather and tide before visiting; no time-of-day recommendation is confirmed by the supplied sources.
The walk account describes summer nesting seabirds at Cullernose Point and summer flowers in nearby meadows. It does not establish exact peak dates.
This is an exposed coastal setting. Check the forecast, tide and current path conditions before travelling; no specific safety or tide guidance is confirmed in the supplied sources.
The route
- surface
- Grassy paths, fields, a farmyard, woodland path and coastal path; the source notes a muddy section that becomes sandy near the sea.
- distance
- 6 miles for the Craster, Howick Hall and beach circular walk described by Bradt
- duration
- Check before visiting; no duration is provided for this route in the supplied source.
- difficulty
- Described as an easy walk on flat paths that are mostly well marked
- waymarking
- Mostly well marked, according to the route description; follow current signs and maps.
- route shape
- Circular
- start point
- Whin Hill, Craster
- parking start
- Check before visiting; the supplied route source identifies the start but does not confirm parking arrangements.
- shorter alternative
- The supplied sources do not confirm a specific shorter route to the beach; check a current map and access information before planning.
- Sugar Sands
- Howick Hall gardens and wooded Long Walk
- Rumbling Kern Bath House
- Cullernose Point bird cliffs
- Views of Dunstanburgh Castle
- Iron Age earthwork near the beach footbridge
Worth pairing with
Craster
Use Craster as the start or finish for the described coastal circular walk; the regional visitor guide also describes short village and harbour walks.
Howick Hall
The Bradt walk passes through Howick Hall gardens and its wooded Long Walk. Entry is described as paid; check current prices and opening arrangements.
Dunstanburgh Castle views
The return leg of the described circular walk includes views of Dunstanburgh Castle; the route does not establish that castle entry is part of this beach visit.
What to look for
On the longer coastal walk, look for the Iron Age earthwork near the footbridge, fulmars and kittiwakes at Cullernose Point in summer, and buttercups, clovers and orchids in the meadows.
Best time to go
Summer for coastal flowers and nesting seabirds; the beach and coastal views can be enjoyed in other seasons, subject to conditions.
Summer is especially rewarding for coastal flowers and seabirds. Check weather, tide and current route conditions before setting off.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A coastal path and footbridge provide an approach to the beach, described as part of a circular walk from Craster. Confirm current access and conditions before setting out. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
Check before visiting
Parking
Check before visiting; no parking information for the beach itself is confirmed in the supplied sources.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
The Bradt-described circular walk passes Howick Hall tea room and finishes near Craster’s pub; check opening and access before setting out.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting and follow current local signage.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports no wheelchair-accessible entrance. The described beach approach includes a footbridge and a bank; suitability for individual mobility needs is not confirmed.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Sea
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Howick Sands
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
