The Best Things to Do in Amble, Northumberland

The seaside village of Amble is located on the south side of the River Coquet, just as it flows into the North Sea.  You won’t stumble over Amble by accident; you’ll need to make a conscious effort to get there, making it all the more special for it.  In the past the port village was associated with the North East Coal mines, often being used as a port to export the coal mined nearby.  Nowadays, whether you’re coming to use the marina (there’s a good large one here), or simply to have a seaside holiday, Amble is a delight.  Here are the best things to do in Amble.

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Much of what there is to do in Amble is based on the sea.  It’s one of the water sports capitals of Northumberland.  There are facilities at the marina and the harbour and there’s also an angling centre here too.  Probably the top thing to do here is to take a boat trip to Coquet Island – it’s only about a mile from the harbour and attracts around 40,000 nesting seabirds in the summer months.

Visit Coquet Island

You can’t land on Coquet Island, it’s a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) protected site and it is home to nesting puffins, Common, Sandwich and Arctic terns as well as the only place in the UK where Roseate Terns breed.   It’s for this reason that there’s no landing on the island.  You can, however, take a boat trip from the harbour here in Amble.  There’s more about Coquet Island as a bird preserve here.

The history of the island goes back to 684 AD and there have been monks, fortifications and even attempts to breed Angora rabbits here on the island (loads more about all of that here).

Cruises to visit the island (viewing from a distance), leave from the Amble Harbour Village – your skippers Dave and Steven from Puffin Cruises explain everything that you’re seeing.  Reserve a place on a Coquet Island Cruise with Puffin Cruises here.

Head to the Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre

Just to the south of Amble (it’s a short – less than an hour walk) is one of the best places in the North East for wildlife watching.  It’s free to enter (but give a donation to help out), if you’re driving, then there is a charge for parking (£2 for all-day parking for cars, or £30 for an annual pass). There is a 1 kilometre accessible trail with two wildlife hides that you can access, but no dogs are allowed onsite.

Commonly seen on the reserve are tree sparrows, bullfinches, moorhens and curlews as well as a huge variety of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.  The reserve was originally part of the Radcliffe open-cast mine (which helped Amble and other ports in the area with coal exports), but it has been part of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust since 1983.

In total there are 6 hides and the wildlife sightings board in reception is updated each day so you know what you’re likely to see.  There’s also a café (they’re famous for their scones) when you need a break from wildlife spotting.  The Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre is open from 09:00 until 17:00 year round, the onside café usually opens at 10:00 and closes at 16:30.

Amble East Beach

Take some time out and head to Amble East Beach – if you don’t want to sit on the sand here, there are some fabulous rock pools to explore, so come here at low tide and explore what’s to be found. If you come out of season then you’ll most likely have the beach to yourself.  There’s more on beaches in Northumberland in my guide here.     

Explore Amble’s Harbour Village

Clustered around Amble’s Harbour is the Amble Harbour Village.  There’s a lobster hatchery here, plus 15 pods that sell a variety of crafts food and drink as well as a seafood centre that sells local catches.  It’s been open since 2015 and has been an important part of revitalising this part of the North East.

Amble has long been known as the Friendliest Port.  The name has been around since 1935, when the then Amble Council sent a message to the RMS Mauretania and received the famous reply from the ship.  The Mauretania was built at the Swan Hunter Yards in Northumberland and when launched was the largest moving structure ever built.  She captured the transatlantic speed records for crossing both east and west in 1907 and 1909 respectively and held the record for 20 years!  Withdrawn from service in 1934, her furnishings and fittings were stripped out and set off for the Rosyth breakers years.  After a 30-minute farewell stop at the Swan Hunter Yards, she headed north, as she passed Amble, 30 miles north of Newcastle, Amble Town Council sent the famous message “Still the finest ship on the seas”, to which the Mauretania replied with “to the last and kindliest port in England, greetings and thanks.”.  You can still see this message today on the village signs.

Spend the day on the water at Amble.

Amble is a great place to base yourself to enjoy water sports.  There are surf schools nearby, kayaking and canoeing opportunities and also sailing too.  Northside Surf School is based here at Amble, with surfing lessons and paddle boarding too.  There are both group and private lessons available.  Book a lesson or read more here.

The Coquet Shorebase Trust is a not-for-profit organization also based in Amble – it dates back to the 1950s, but today provides sailing lessons, power boat lessons as well as paddleboarding, windsurfing and kayaking equipment rental.  There are scheduled courses, lessons and rental details available here.

Go out on a working fishing boat in Amble

The Natalie Kristen II is a lobster and crab working fishing boat in Amble. They fish every day – weather permitting and from Easter onwards each year they take tourists out to see the wildlife at Coquet Island. But you’ll also get to to see Kevin and his crew haul a couple of fishing pots to see how shellfish are caught. You’ll get close enough to touch before they’re released back into the North Sea.

This is a perfect trip for inquisitive folks of all ages. This is a brilliant way to spend some time on a working fishing vessel and learn about shellfish, and the life of a fishing family. To book your place give Kevin a call on 07873752643 – or contact them via Facebook.

Spend the Day at the Northumberland Zoo

Having opened in 2015, the Northumberland Zoo is a family-run, not-for-profit collection of animals right in the heart of Northumberland.  There are 20 acres here for you to explore, with animals that range from harvest mice to snow leopards.   The zoo is open 7 days a week with a variety of areas to explore as well as a classic tractor museum too.​  You’ll save money by pre-booking your visit.  Buy your tickets here.

The Northumberland Zoo is located at Eshottheugh Farm, Felton, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE65 9QH.

Take a Walk Around Amble

Whether you choose to take a walk to the south towards Druridge Bay – past the Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre or head inland along the River Coquet towards Warkworth, there are some great views and walks from here.  You can cover stage one of the Northumberland Coastal Path down to Cresswell, or even just a part of it (there are details here).  If you head to Warkworth Cables, then it’s about a 6-mile circular walk.

The best way to plot your route walking around Amble is to use the Ordnance Survey maps (you can pick up the Amble ones here).

Visit Warkworth Castle from Amble

Being so close to Amble you shouldn’t miss Warkworth Castle.  Situated in one of Northumberland’s prettiest villages it dominates the area.   You’ll want to explore the Great Tower and also don’t miss the Warkworth Hermitage, a short distance up the River Coquet – you need to take a boat to get to it. 

Read my guide to Warkworth Castle here, and remember that English Heritage members (join here) get in for free.

Where to Stay in Amble

Stay in a cosy traditional hotel or a more contemporary holiday let, there’s plenty of choice here in Amble. 

The Amble Inn is popular, it’s part of the Inn Collection Group, which provides good rooms across their portfolio.  It’s in a good location and there’s private parking and a restaurant on site too.   Opt for double, twin, family or disabled access rooms, there’s more here.

For a seaside location, head to Radcliffes Lodge, with glorious sea views and lovely rooms. Family rooms with terraces are a great option and you can fit, well, the whole family in too!  Book early though, they’re popular.

For a longer stay, book into “Coastal Retreat” – it’s a gloriously large holiday let with heaps of living space (and it sleeps 8 in four bedrooms).  There are super views over Links Beach and the sea.  You can see photos here.

My favourite spot for couples is “the Loft” – luxuriously furnished, it’s seriously comfortable and contemporary, with a great location.  You can book it here.

Where to Eat in Amble

You’re at the coast, and so you’re going to want to hit the seafood.  If you’re self-catering then head to the Northumberland Seafood Centre shop (or preorder online and pick it up).  You’ll get such local specialities as Lindisfarne Oysters, Craster kippers and local catches of the day.  Stop by and stock up!

The Old Boathouse at the Harbour is fabulous for a seafood dinner if you’re heading out for lunch or dinner, as is the Fish Shack.  If it’s “just” fish and chips you’re after then the Harbour Fish Bar is consistently good.

Spurreli’s Ice Cream on Coquet Street is perfect for a sweet treat, they use milk and cream from the Marley Cote Farm in Hexham (there are vegan options too).  They’re open every day from 10:00 until 17:00. 

How to Get to Amble

Amble is relatively easy to get to, both by car and by public transport.

Driving to Amble

From either the north or the south you’ll need the A1.  If you’re coming from the North, then turn off at the Alnwick interchange, then take the A1068 south towards Amble.  It’s about 8 miles.  If you’re coming from the South, then you can get off a little further south, by following the signpost for Amble (A1068). It’s about 9 miles from the A1.

Once you arrive in Amble if your hotel or holiday let doesn’t have parking, then there are several car parks available.  If you’re coming to Amble Harbour Village, then use the car park on Turner Street.

Getting to Amble By Train

The closest train station to Amble is Alnmouth.  It’s on the main East Coast line and takes about an hour to get to Edinburgh or four hours from London.  Book train tickets to Alnmouth here. From Alnmouth you can take the X18 or X20.  The bus takes about 16-22 minutes, and you can check the timetables here.

Getting to Amble by Bus

The North East Arriva buses run from Newcastle up to Berwick upon Tweed and back – check the timetables for the X18 and the X20.  If you’re coming from London and want to take the bus, then use National Express, to Alnwick and then take the local X18 or X20 to Amble.  You can check tickets here.

Final Words on the Best Things to Do in Amble

You can’t get much closer to the water in Northumberland than Amble.  It’s a glorious village with some great facilities in an enviable position.  There are super places to stay here, some fantastic restaurants and things to do.  If you like the great outdoors, Amble is perfect for a visit.

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