The Best Things to Do in Warkworth

It’s quaint, charming and has an amazing beach.  There’s also a castle.  Hey, I admit it, that doesn’t narrow it down much in Northumberland does it? The village of Warkworth fits itself in with the River Coquet which looks around the village, before heading out to the North Sea.  Almost dominated completely by the stunning castle, Warkworth is a delight.  The streets are quiet, there are some glorious local cafes, not a chain restaurant in sight and there’s a vast and wonderful beach.  These are the best things to do in Warkworth.

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Aside from the castle, which is managed by English Heritage, there’s also a hermitage to visit here, a river to walk alongside (and it’s a lovely slow small one), and there’s a rather interesting church that dates from 1132 as well.

BesT WAY TO VISIT CASTLES

Get Free Access to Warkworth Hermitage

The top thing to do in Warkworth?  Visit the Warkworth Hermitage – English Heritage members get in for free (it’s a handy membership to have around here! – so join now!) – and you’ll get into the castle for free as well!

Buy Your Pass Here

The Best Things to Do in Warkworth

Small, but perfectly formed – Warkworth is one of our top tips as one of Northumberland’s prettiest seaside villages (read about the others here).  It’s easy to reach on the bus lines that service this part of the coast, and there are also some great places to bed down for the night (or longer) too.

1.     Visit Warkworth Castle

It’s hard to miss the Castle here in Warkworth and it’s worth making it your first stop.  The highlights are the Great Tower and the views from the top.  The first castle here, which was timber, was replaced as it was deemed “too feeble”.  You can’t say that about the current iteration, which has been here since the 13^th century.  Of course, there are also bits that date from the 15^th century too.   My guide to Warkworth Castle is here and I recommend at least a couple of hours to explore. 

You can read the details about the castle in the link above – but I also advise using the free audio guide provided by English Heritage.  It’s a very entertaining way to visit.  Pick up the audio tour at the entrance.

• Warkworth Castle Opening Times:  Warkworth Castle is usually open from 10:00 until 17:00 although in the off-season, hours may be shorter
• Warkworth Castle Entrance Fees:  For advance bookings the Adult entry fees to Warkworth Castle are £7.70, Children’s entry fees are £4.70 and family tickets are available starting at £11.70. On the day tickets are more expensive.  English Heritage Members get free entry to Warkworth Castle – you can join here.

2.     Visit the Warkworth Hermitage

The 14th-century Hermitage at Warkworth is carved out of the rock alongside the River Coquet.  It’s managed by English Heritage, and so members get in for free. While the Hermitage is on the banks of the River Coquet, access is only by boat, however, it’s a VERY short trip – literally from one side of the river to the other!

Your ticket to the Hermitage includes the boat trip access and once you’ve “landed” you’ll get half an hour to explore.  It’s actually pretty big, there are six rooms over two levels, with three rooms on each level.  The rooms on the upper floor are in much better condition than those on the ground floor and used to be the sacristy, chapel, and chamber. 

Much of the myth about the Hermitage can be traced to a 1771 book published by Bishop Thomas Percy.  It contains a ballad that details that when Bertram of Bothal killed his wife-to-be (accidentally apparently) in the 1300s he decided to spend his remaining days in the Hermitage.  It’s more likely that the Hermitage was actually a private chapel for the first Earl of Northumberland and then as a chapel for clergy until 1536.

The 4^th Earl appointed Thomas Barker to be, I guess, the hermit in residence in 1497. His role was to offer prayers for his patrons, but he actually was a tenant farmer too.  There’s more about the Hermitage, myth, legend, and history here.

• Warkworth Hermitage Opening Times:  Reopens after the winter in April 2025.  Check on arrival for boat trip times.
• Warkworth Hermitage Entrance Fees:  Included in the fees for the castle.

3.     Take a Walk along the River Coquet

Now to get to the Hermitage boat ride you had to walk about half a mile along the riverside to the boat dock (and back of course), but you might, as I did, have fallen in love with this little piece of paradise and want to walk further.

The River Coquet rises in the Cheviot Hills, runs down to Rothbury (lovely lovely place, more on Rothbury here), and then loops around Brinkburn Priory, and comes to Warkworth.  It winds its way nicely around Warkworth – or rather the town fits in with the river, and then it discharges into the North Sea at Amble (another lovely spot to visit, there’s more here).

The Coquet is about 56 miles long and has been used as a source of power over the centuries (water mills for grinding corn, and so on). There’s a theory that its name comes from Angl-Saxon times, when it was called “Cocwudu” meaning “cock wood” – and this was the area around which the river flowed.

However.  And there’s always one of those.  It’s referred to in the 8th century Ravenna Cosmography, as Coccuueda.  And Bede referenced Cocuedi fluminis, which translates roughly as ‘Red River’.  You can find red porphyritic pebbles around here.

Right.  Back to the walks.  The best presentation of walks that I’ve seen (and you have options) is from Northumberland Parishes – this will download a PDF with maps and directions for you.               

4.     Explore the Village of Warkworth

It’s not going to take you long to explore the village, because she is small but perfectly formed.  I’d recommend starting at one end and working to the other.  Don’t miss the Medieval Fortified Foot Bridge running over the River Coquet alongside the new bridge for vehicles.

Walk over the Medieval Fortified Bridge

I should point out that it was never just a footbridge, but it is a medieval bridge.   It was built on the instructions of John Cook of Newcastle who died in 1379.  He left “20 marks towards the building of the bridge”, but he stipulated that the bridge must be built within two years.  It was Grade II listed in 1929, but it wasn’t until 1965 that the new bridge alongside it was opened to traffic.  No traffic is now allowed on the Medieval Bridge.

It’s called the fortified bridge because it is indeed fortified, there is a defensive tower on the Southern end of the Bridge.   Both the bridge and the tower are made of sandstone and the tower reaches a height of about 8 meters and there’s an arched opening with a studded door that leads to a guard chamber.    On the opposite side of the tower is another door, which leads to a spiral staircase that gave access to the upper room.  There would have been windows looking in all directions back in the day.  Today the upper level is roofless, although you can still see the evidence of windows.

The bridge itself is 61 meters long and 3.5 meters wide.  There are two arches, with a central pier.  The riverbed beneath the bridge was paved with stone to prevent the erosion of the foundations. 

Shop and explore in Warkworth

You’ll find the Greenhouse, which is great for plants, gifts, and locally made crafts.  Cabosse Chocolates will tempt you with luxury artisan chocolates.  Gray’s fashion accessories have Italian bags, jewelry, and more.

Stop off at Fenwick Gallery, where founder Dorien Fenwick works as a landscape artist (you can see some of her works here)  You’ll find paintings, ceramics, glass, and sculptures from some of the UK’s best contemporary artists.

The Anglican Church of St Lawrence

Close to the banks of the river is the 12th-century Church of St Lawrence.  It’s a delightfully peaceful place and the church has traditional stone archways and stained glass windows.    There’s been a church here since AD737, although that was timber and was most likely destroyed by Danish Raids in 875. 

Building began on this church in 1132 and it was designed as both a church and a sanctuary for the villages – there are very narrow high windows and very thick walls.  It didn’t help the villages on 13 July 1174, when the Earl of Fife entered Warkworth, set fire to the town, and killed 300 villagers who’d taken refuge in the church.  The church is famous also for the events of 1715, when the town proclaimed the Old Pretender, James Francis Edward Stuart, as King in the Jacobite Rising.  It was his Chaplain who read morning prayers on 9^th October 1715.   In later times, John Wesley preached a sermon here on May 16, 1761, en route to Alnwick. 

There’s a distinctive tomb near the main gate.  This is the “Huntsman’s Tomb” – Edward Dodswoth of East Chevington who was huntsman to King James.  He hunted deer in Scotland for the King in the 1590s.

5.     Visit Warkworth Beach

We’ve got a lot of glorious beaches in Northumberland – so many that I wrote about the best ones here.  And yes.  Warkworth Beach is on that list.  It’s a long and golden sandy expanse that goes on for miles.

Warkworth Beach is perfect for long walks with (or without) the dog.  The walk up to Alnmouth is a personal favourite.  There are views to Coquet Island, and over to Amble, and it’s less than a mile from the village and easily walkable.

There’s free car parking here, as well as toilet facilities at the beach.

6.     Walk Part of the Coastal Path from Warkworth

The coast path here is delightful. I mean where is it not?  You can actually take the first part of the Northumberland Coast Path from Cresswell to Druridge Bay, then onto Amble and up the River to Warkworth.  The end of Stage 1 of the Northumberland Coast Path is Warkworth.  There’s more on this stage of the path here.  It’s about 10.5 miles.

My favourite part of the coast path, is however, stage two, from Warkworth up to Craster.  This 13-mile stretch is lovely.  And you can also dip out at Alnmouth too.  My guide to Alnmouth is here. There’s more on this section of the coast path here.  

The bus services that connect the villages mean that you can walk one way and then return on the bus, although I advise getting the bus to the other end and walking back, so there’s no chance that you miss the bus home.

7.     Golf with a View at Warkworth Golf Club

Warkworth Golf Club is right next to the beach, to the north of the village.  It’s a real gem of a club, originally laid out by the legendary Tom Morris in 1892.   There are nine greens which have two very different tee boxes, meaning you can get a true 18-hole experience.  It is rarely closed due to damp conditions as it’s known for its fast-draining soil.  More details on visitor access here.

Where to Stay in Warkworth

Whether you choose to stay in a self-catering holiday let, a hotel, or a B&B then you have some good choices here in Warkworth.  Bear in mind though, that this is a small village and therefore popular places book out quickly.  Here are my recommendations for where to stay in Warkworth.

The Warkworth House Hotel – A glorious historic building, with a modern vibe.  Great staff, and the best of locations. Check room availability here.

Bertrams – renowned for their amazing food as well as their hospitality, Bertrams is in a great location – and the deluxe rooms are a delight.  It is particularly popular at weekends, so book early

The Byre, Warkworth – Cleverly combining traditional and modern touches, this open-plan- but equally private holiday accommodation is the perfect place for relaxing in Warkworth.  Sleeps four in two bedrooms – has a gorgeous patio garden too.  See more details here.

Water’s Edge, Warkworth -Sleeping up to 6, Water’s Edge is gorgeous.  Fabulous living space with luxurious sofas and furnishings.  It’s opposite the River Coquet and is perfect for multi-generational families, with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.  Dogs allowed.  There are more details here.

Where to Eat in Warkworth

Bertrams are great for fabulous breakfasts and brunches and more. This spot is café by day and bistro by night.    The Castle Brew House has a traditional country pub vibe – and amazing views of the castle too.  The Mason’s Arms is equally inviting and right in the heart of the village. 

How to Get to Warkworth, Northumberland

The village is centered on the A1068 coast road, so head for this if you’re coming from the North.  Take the A1 and then join the A1068.  From the South, take the A1 from Newcastle and then the A19 and the A189 until it merges with the A1068.

The nearest train stations to Warkworth are Acklington in the south and Alnmouth in the north.  Alnmouth has more stopping trains.  It’s about an hour from Edinburgh to Alnmouth by train or 30 minutes from Newcastle.  Direct trains from London (Kings Cross) take about four hours.  From Alnmouth, it takes about 10 minutes in a taxi, or the X20 or X18 buses travel down.

By bus, you’ll want either the X18 or the X20 buses, which run from Newcastle to Berwick upon Tweed and back.  More details at Arriva North East.

Final Words on Warkworth, Northumberland

A castle, a beach, a golf course and several really good pubs.  A river that winds around the village with plenty of wildlife, what’s not to love?  Warkworth is a gorgeous village in Northumberland and a fabulous place to spend a night, or two, or heck yes even longer.

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