Birds by Bus: Newton-By-The-Sea

Birds by Bus: Newton-by-the-Sea The area around Newton-by-the Sea offers great birdwatching throughout the year. Breeding seabirds in summer, autumn migrants and wintering waders and wildfowl can all be seen here. Essentials There is a tern colony on Beadnell Bay which is best visited between May and July. Newton Pool is freshwater pond, there are hides which are open all year. To the south of Newton, seabirds breed on the cliffs around Dunstanburgh Waders (© Laurie Campbell) Castle The beach at Newton is a good place to watch wading birds in the winter. There is a guide to birdwatching on the Northumberland Coast available from Tourist Information Centres This area of the Northumberland Coast St Mary’s Haven at Low Newton-by-the-Sea (© is managed by the Gavin Duthie) National Trust. Route/Description If you fancy a walk, either get off the bus at Craster or Beadnell and walk to Low Newton. Follow the Northumberland Coast Path in both directions. From Craster you will see breeding seabirds at Dunstanburgh Castle and from Beadnell you can visit the tern colony in, Beadnell Bay (both April to July) The Beadnell Bay tern colony, near the mouth of the Long Nanny Burn, between Beadnell and High Newton, is home to about 600 Arctic Terns and a small population of rarer Little Tern between May and July. The Arctic Tern is our most traveled migrant, spending its winters in the South Atlantic. The colony is protected by National Trust wardens, visit them at their hut above the colony and they will be happy to tell you all about the birds. Arctic Tern © Gary Woodburn From the Bus Stop in High Newton, follow the road down to Low Newton, a pretty fisherman’s square with a pub in the corner. For Newton Pool, turn left behind the Ship Inn and follow the road south past the back of the cottages, continue past the boat park, checking the field to your right for visiting wetland and coastal birds on the muddy scrape. Continue on the track past Risemoor Cottage, a former fisherman’s pub, through a small woodland path until you see the two wildlife hides on your right hand side facing into the waters at Newton Pool. The beach at Low Newton, especially during autumn and winter is a great place to watch wading birds. Oystercatchers, redshank and curlew may be out on the rocks whilst sanderling and dunlin feed along the waters edge. At any time of year a walk along the Northumberland Coast Path, to the north or south of the Low Newton will produce songbirds. In spring, listen for skylarks and meadow pipits and watch for stonechats perched on fences. During the autumn you may be lucky to catch migration in full swing with flocks of thrushes arriving after crossing the North Sea and coastal bushes and trees will be full of migrant birds. This is the most Stonechats (© Gary Woodburn) exciting time of year for many birdwatchers. Map The Northumberland and Berwickshire coast is a wonderful area to visit with lots to learn and enjoy. ‘Our Coast Our Sea’ aims to make it even better, offering inspiring ideas for your visit and helping you discover providers of exciting activities for adults and children. Outward to Craster, High Newton or Beadnell From Newcastle, Alnwick and Morpeth 501 Coast and Castles Connection, a two-hourly service from Newcastle, Morpeth and Alnwick. A Travelsure 401 also connects Alnwick with Beadnell and Craster. From Berwick-upon-Tweed and Seahouses 501 Coast and Castles Connection, a two-hourly service from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station. From Ashington and Blyth From Ashington use the 35 to connect with the 501 in Morpeth. From Blyth use the 2 to connect with the 501 in Morpeth. Return from High Newton To Newcastle, Alnwick and Morpeth (change at Morpeth for Ashington and Blyth) 501 Coast and Castles Connection, a two-hourly service from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station via Alnwick and Morpeth. To Berwick-upon-Tweed 501 Coast and Castles Connection, a two-hourly service from Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Sunday Service There is a limited Sunday service which may make this itinerary unsuitable on Sundays. Times Allow 2 hours to walk to the Tern Colony and back with viewing times. Newton Pool is only 20 minutes walk from High Newton. To walk from Craster to Beadnell taking in all of the sites allow 4-5 hours. Plan Your Journey Further Information Which Ticket is best for me? for services north of Alnwick on Arriva and Travelsure Craster – Our Coast Our Sea buses: Craster Community Website North Northumberland Discover (Day ticket) £5.50 Dunstanburgh Castle- English Heritage North Northumberland Passport (weekly ticket) £18.00 Dunstanburgh Castle – National Trust Embleton and Newton – National Trust Arriva Day Ticket - travel all day for £6.50 Newton – Our Coast Our Sea Arriva Arriva Family Day ticket, two adults and up to three Northumberland Coast AONB children £12 Visit Northumberland NE Explorer – All day with any operator in NE £8.00 North Sea Trail NE Family Explorer £16.00 Food and drink The Ship Inn at Low Newton-by-the-Sea offers a lunchtime menu of locally produced food; it even has its own micro-brewery producing real ales. At Craster and Beadnell there are café’s and pubs serving food. There is a traditional smokehouse in Craster, L Robson The Ship Inn at Low Newton & Sons, producers of the legendary Craster Kipper. © Gavin Duthie Here you can purchase a range of specially selected, finest quality seafood, and also find out why this unique family business has been producing some of the world's finest smoked salmon and kippers for almost 100 years. This Itinerary has been prepared by the Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership. If you have any suggestions or comments regarding the itinerary or bus travel on the Northumberland Coast please call us on 01665 511206 or email: [email protected] . Although the information provided in this itinerary is currently correct services may be subject to change and the Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership or Arriva cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies We recommend that you check the bus and opening times of attractions before travel. .

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