'It's a coastline ravaged by nature and steeped in history, there's a story round every single corner ...you're not just looking at a view, you're standing in the footsteps of kings, and all on one of the most dramatic coastlines nature has to offer.'

Janet Street Porter, Britain's Favourite View, ITV1

Northumberland abounds with wildlife, with more than 60 nature reserves throughout the county and unspoilt coast and countryside providing a haven for rare and unusual animals and plantlife.

WALKING IN BAMBURGH

Bamburgh is reasonably well served by a network of public rights of way.  There are 10.55 km of public footpath, 3.35 km of public bridleway and 1.06 km of unclassified road.  The two main bridleways are from the end of the Wynding to Budle and from the B1341 near Dukesfield to Humbleton Hill.  A short bridleway links Kiln Point with the road. There is a rich network of footpaths - both in the village and surrounding countryside.  None of these just happened - each one represents an indelible footprint made by previous generations as they went about their everyday lives.  Many of them continue to be enjoyed by both residents and visitors, and we have a duty to preserve them as part of our local heritage.

Local Walks

BAMBURGH TO SEAHOUSES  You can walk along the coast from Bamburgh to Seahouses it is approximately 3 miles so you may want to catch a bus back or make a day of it!

SHORT CIRCULAR WALK  The quickest way to the beach is at the far side of the cricket field down past the corner of the castle you can walk along the coast and back or when the tide is out you can walk north along the beach until you come to a painted animal on the rocks (stags rock) from here you can walk up the dunes and back along the golf course road (The Wynding) which is usually quiet and offers beautiful views on a sunny day.

Seaside Rock 

Geo-walks on the Northumberland Coast for 2011 

Northumberland coastal scenery is famous for its stunning beauty, but what are the events in the earth's past that has led us to the present day and this gorgeous scenery ? Local geologist Dr Ian Kille of Northumbrian Earth, working with the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership, is leading a series of Seaside Rock Walks, to tell the stories of Northumberland's ancient rocks and landscape. 

The rocks which form the beautiful coastline between Berwick and Alnmouth not only tell fascinating stories about our ancient past but also help understand the wildlife, built environment and landscape of the area as well as our industrial past.. Iain Robson of the Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership said “the rocks, the fossils and minerals in them and the structures they map out on our coast, are important nationally and internationally. The Seaside Rock Walks are a great way of celebrating our local rocks and encouraging people to get out there and to help them understand what the rocks tell us”. Iain added, “I am really pleased that Ian is again leading these walks, he does a fantastic job of bringing the rocks to life.” 

The series of walks will start with a look at how molten magma pushed its way between the rocks underground to form the Bamburgh Castle crags.  Ian Kille said “it is hard to believe it on a rainy day with water running over the blocky castle crags but this was all red hot and running like an underground river when it formed”. By looking at the different types of rocks and what is inside them in them, it is possible to build up a picture of what was going on all those years ago. Ian added, “Understanding the rocks is a bit like a crime investigation – there are many different types of evidence to understand, which then lead to an insight into past events”. 
 
For more information on Seaside Rock Walks please look at the Northumberland Coast AONB Website www.northumberlandcoastaonb.org  or www.ourcoastoursea.org.uk or contact Ian Kille on 01289 309503 or by email at ian.kille@btinternet.com.

The first walk starts at the entrance to the main public car park in Bamburgh opposite Bamburgh Castle at 2.00 on Thursday 7th July. The walk will last for about 2 hours and involves an easy walk including some light scrambling on seashore rocks. Why not catch the bus? The 501 Arriva Coast and Castles Connection from Newcastle, Morpeth and Alnwick will get you there in time. Plan your journey at Traveline Northeast. 

Walk Details: 

Bamburgh: Thursday 7th July

Farenheit 2012 ?

Meet in the main public car park opposite the Castle at 2pm for a 2 hour walk of about 4 km 

This walk looks at the rocks which underlie the Castle at Bamburgh which form part of the Whin Sill. Explore the evidence which points to the molten origins of these rocks. When were these rocks formed and how hot were they when they arrived ? What do they tell us about Bamburgh's global position millions of years ago ?   Find answers to these questions and more as you explore Bamburgh's hidden pre-history. 

Why not travel by bus? The 501 Arriva Coast and Castles Connection from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Morpeth and Alnwick arrives for the start of this walk. Plan your journey at Traveline Northeast    

Holy Island: Saturday 23rd July

Fire and Ice - travelling to the edge of things

Meet at the entrance of the Castle at 2pm for a 2 hour walk of about 4 km  

Holy Island is a place of pilgrimage partly because of it's remote location, separated by tides from the mainland and next to the sea. This walk explores how this liminal landscape formed from the ancient rocks which create the grain of the landscape as well as looking at the elements which have sculpted the rocks to the form the landscape we see today.    

Why not travel by bus? The 505 Arriva Coast and Castles Connection from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Morpeth and Alnwick connects with the Perrymans 477 for the start of this walk. Plan your journey at Traveline Northeast 

Howick Bathing House: Sunday 21st August

Rumbles of a distant tempest

Meet at the small car park closest to the Bathing House at GR NU425 617 at 2pm for a walk of about 4km 

The ancient history which is preserved in the rocks is just a tiny fraction of what has taken place, so that geologists work from all the clues they can find in the rocks to build a picture of the past. Sometimes they speak of lazy rivers and tropical seas, but at other times they tell us about more extreme events. Come and find out about the restless past of this beautiful stretch of coastline.  

Seahouses: Sunday 4th September

The limestone legacy

Meet outside the Tourist Information Centre at 2pm for a 2 hour walk of 3 km 

Hard to believe when you're on a boat out to the Farne Islands and it starts raining, but millions of years ago, Seahouses was positively tropical. What effect did this have on the sort of rocks that were laid down at this time ?  How have these rocks effected the landscape and history of Seahouses and surrounding areas ? In this short walk from the harbour to the golf course these and other questions will be explored.    

Why not travel by bus? The 501 Arriva Coast and Castles Connection from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Morpeth and Alnwick arrives for the start of this walk. Plan your journey at Traveline Northeast 
 

Walk the Northumberland Coast Path this summer 

Northumberland Coast Path

Guided Walks 2011 

The Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership is once more offering the chance to walk the Northumberland Coast Path this summer with the path originator, Iain Robson.  
 
Each Wednesday between 27th July and 31st August, Iain will lead a walk along a section of the path in the company of a coastal expert, maybe a botanist, geologist, ranger or birdwatcher. You can choose to do one section or them all, it’s up to you. 

The start time for each section coincides with the arrival of a bus and we will return to our starting point by bus. With fantastic ticket deals available, why not leave the car at home and use the bus to join us? 

Details of each of the stages can be found below, the walks are all free, but you will need your bus fare. We have given brief public transport information, but you can plan your journey at www.travelinenortheast.info  

Booking is essential, you can book by phone on 01665 511206 or by email to coastaonb@northumberland.gov.uk. 

Stage 1 27th July Cresswell to Warkworth 10.5 miles (5 hours) 

Start: 09:45 Cresswell Ices to coincide with the arrival of the No. 1 from Ashington (change here from Newcastle) 

Return on the 15:52 472/1 to Ellington or to Newcastle on the 16:12 518 service 

Stage 2 3rd August Warkworth to Craster 13 miles (6.5 hours) 

Start 10:15 Warkworth Market Cross to coincide with the arrival of the 518 from Alnwick and Newcastle. 

Return on the 16:41 501 to Alnwick/Newcastle 

Stage 3 10th August Craster to Seahouses 9.5 miles (5 hours) 

Start 09:20 Craster TIC to coincide with the arrival of the 501 from Alnwick/Newcastle 

Return on the 15:47 401 to Alnwick and Newcastle via Craster 

Stage 4 17th August Seahouses to Belford 10.5 miles (5 1/2 hours) 

Start 10:00 Seahouses TIC to coincide with the arrival of the 501 from Alnwick/Newcastle. 

Return to Seahouses on 15:43 501 or 15.32 505 to Alnwick/Newcastle 

Stage 5 24th August Belford to Fenwick 7 miles (4 hours) 

Start 1030 Belford Market Cross to coincide with the arrival of the 505 from Alnwick/Newcastle 

Return to Alnwick/Newcastle via Belford on 15.23 505 service 

Stage 6 31st August Fenwick to Berwick-upon-Tweed 12 miles (6 hours) 

Start 1030 Fenwick A1 Bus Stop to coincide with the arrival of the 505 from Alnwick/Newcastle 

Return on 1705 505 service to Alnwick/Newcastle via Fenwick. 

For further information or to book your place call 01665 511206 or email coastaonb@northumberland.gov.uk or visit the website www.northumberlandcoastaonb.org

 

Tennis

BAMBURGH PARISH COUNCIL
TENNIS COURTS

HIRE OF COURT £5-00 per hour

KEY DEPOSIT (refunded on return of key) £5-00

Book the court at the Reception of the Victoria Hotel. When you have finished playing, please lower the net, tidy up, lock the court and return the key to the Victoria Hotel. The Parish Council or their representative, reserve the right to bar anyone from the court who misuses it in anyway.

ENJOY YOUR GAME

Bamburgh Parish Council

Cricket

The long tradition of cricket was interrupted for several years prior to 2004 when several friendlies matches were successfully staged in the latter half of the season.

Work was carried out on the square during the autumn of 2004 and then spring of 2005 before we staged a series of friendlies throughout the summers of 2005, 2006 and 2007. In 2006 a 1926 Barford and Perkins roller was acquired from Benwell Hill Cricket Club.

Early in 2008, a new committee was formed, the members of which are working to obtain awards and grants in order to purchase new equipment including grass cutting machinery, new storage facilities and pest control measures to reduce damage done to the playing field and to the Castle Green in general.

A brand new wicket was constructed at the end of the 2008 season.

If you are visiting Bamburgh during the summer of 2009 and would be interested in playing please contact:

Eric Nicholson: (01668) 214626 (Home) or (01661) 867750 (Office)
Billy Wright:  (01665) 720618

or email s.a.a.robinson@hotmail.co.uk

Preferably 2 or 3 weeks in advance and we will try to fit you in

If you would like to join the Cricket Club as a playing member, a vice president or assist us by becoming a friend of the Club for the small fee of £20 please send details to:

The Treasurer, W. Wright,
Bamburgh Castle Cricket Club,
24 Southfield Avenue,
Seahouses,
Northumberland,
NE68 7YT

Visit their own website www.bamburghcricket.co.uk

Football

Bamburgh Castle Football Club Take part in the North Northumberland Football League, at over 100 years old it is one of the longest established amateur leagues in the country.

The league consists of teams from between the rivers Tweed and Wansbeck playing on a Saturday, with a 2pm kick-off.

Teams compete in the Northumberland FA Minor Cup and the League also runs six cup competitions; The Bilclough Cup, The Sanderson Cup, The Anderson Cup, The Runciman Cup, The Robson Cup and the Lancaster / Laidler Cup.

For more information about the North Nothumberland Football League visit their website www.nnleague.co.uk

Cycling in Northumberland

Northumberland is fast becoming one of Europe's most popular cycling destinations, and it's easy to see why. As well as having the cleanest air and the lowest population density in England, Northumberland boasts a large number of safe, signed routes through some truly beautiful landscapes.
For those with a young family, gentle day rides along traffic-free paths and country lanes can be found throughout the region.

Horse Riding

Northumberland provides excellent horse riding terrain for all abilities, with miles of quiet country lanes, bridleways and open countryside.

The Northumberland coast offers classic cantering along miles of golden sands in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with Bamburgh Castle and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne as a stunning backdrop. And don't forget there's trail after trail to be enjoyed along quiet country lanes, and the bridleway network that links towns and villages throughout Northumberland.

Members range from experienced players to complete beginners and it is club's objective to cater for all standards of play. The club provides coaching and mentoring for less experienced players. For beginners, equipment can be provided free-of-charge. Anyone who wants to know more can contact 0131 336 2585 or http://www.bamburghcroquetclub.org.uk
 

Bamburgh Croquet Club members (from left) Ian Wilkinson,Kieth Whitfield, Seonaidh Edgar, Jamie Edgar, Jane Morgan, Steve Newman and John Woodman celebrate being made Active Berwick's Club of the fortnight before settling down to play at the club's lawns beneath Bamburgh Castle.

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