Northumberland Beaches Campervan Guide
Northumberland has the best beaches in England — vast, quiet, and mostly free from the crowds that plague Cornwall and Devon. Here is the campervan guide.
The Beaches
- Bamburgh: The most famous. Huge beach stretching south from Bamburgh Castle. The car park is £4, no overnight. The village car park (outside the castle) is free after 6pm and quiet overnight.
- Seahouses: The harbour beach and the sand dunes. Car park £3. Overnight at the Harbour View car park (free 6pm-8am). The fish and chips from Lewis's are the best on the coast.
- Beadnell Bay: Three miles of golden sand. The car park is £2, small but quiet. Overnight in the Beadnell Arms pub car park (buy dinner, they let vans stay).
- Embleton Bay: Dunstanburgh Castle ruins loom over this beach. Access via the Dunstan Steads car park (£2). Quiet overnight parking in the dunes layby.
- Alnmouth: A wide estuary beach. Free parking on the village green (no height barrier, room for vans). Quiet overnight.
- Druridge Bay: Seven miles of dune-backed beach. The Druridge Bay car park is free and allows overnight parking. Very quiet in winter. Great sunrise spot.
- Warkworth: Smaller beach near the castle. The car park is £2, no overnight. The Warkworth Golf Club car park allows van overnight for £5.
Wild Camping on the Coast
Northumberland is excellent for wild camping. The coastal path runs for 60 miles. Laybys and quiet car parks are plentiful. The key spots:
- Bamburgh to Seahouses: The B1340 has wide grassy verges with sea views. Several van spots.
- Beadnell to Embleton: The lane between the two villages has wide passing places and quiet spots.
- Druridge Bay: The B1345 runs parallel to the beach. Pull-offs with sea views.
Facilities
- Bamburgh: Co-op, butcher, bakery, pub. The Castle Inn has good food.
- Seahouses: Supermarket, butcher, fish and chips, pubs. The Ship Inn lets vans park overnight.
- Alnwick: 10 miles inland — full facilities (Tesco, Aldi, fuel). The Barter Books is a famous second-hand bookshop in the old station.
- Fresh water: Alnmouth village tap, Bamburgh public toilets, Seahouses harbour tap.
When to Go
April-June and September-October. Summer is still quiet compared to Cornwall — Bamburgh beach in August is less crowded than Polzeath in May. Winter is very quiet but the wind is strong. The best light is in October.
Verdict
Northumberland is the best coastal van life destination in England if you want space, quiet, and dramatic beaches. Bamburgh, Beadnell, and Druridge Bay are the highlights. Free overnight parking is easy to find.
