From the car park, turn right towards the village. Immediately before the harbour, go left into Dunstanburgh Road, which is signed ‘Castle’, and carry on through a gate at the end above a rocky shore, heading towards Dunstanburgh Castle.
After two more gates, if you want to visit the castle keep to the main track, which winds around to its entrance. Otherwise, bear left on a less-distinct path through a shallow gorge on the landward side. Continuing below the castle, pass the ruins of the Lilburn Tower, which, perched dramatically on top of a rocky spur, are an impressive feature.
Beyond, as you pass above a bouldery beach, glance back to the cliffs protecting Dunstanburgh Castle’s northern aspect. In the early summer these echo to the screams of innumerable seabirds, squabbling for nesting sites on the narrow ledges.
Go through a kissing gate at the edge of a golf course and bear right to remain above the shore, where dramatic folding of the rocks is plainly evident. Ahead stretches the sandy expanse of Embleton Bay and, if the tide permits, you can continue along the beach.
Eventually, look for a prominent break in the dunes, through which a path leads across the golf course to meet a lane. Follow it up to Dunstan Steads, turning left immediately before cottages onto a drive, signed ‘Craster’. Wind ahead beside large barns to pass through a gate and continue beside the open fields beyond on a farm track.
After a mile (1.6km), at Dunstan Square, pass through two successive gates by a barn, then turn left through a third gate, signed ‘Craster’. Walk down the field edge, through another gate at the bottom, then on along a track rising through a break in the cliffs ahead, The Heughs. Keep going across the top to the field corner and turn through a gate on the right.
Walk away, initially beside the left-hand boundary, but after 150yds (137m), by a gate, bear right to follow the line of the ridge higher up. Eventually meeting the corner of a wall, continue ahead beside it. Nearing the village, leave the field corner over a stile, the onward path becoming enclosed beside gorse. Finally, the path turns abruptly left behind a house and emerges onto a street. Follow it down to the main lane and turn right, back to the car park.
Standing in dramatic isolation on a craggy outcrop of whinstone cliff overlooking the vast emptiness of the North Sea, Dunstanburgh Castle is one of England’s most spectacular medieval ruins. Its lonely silhouette has inspired several artists, such as the great landscape painter J M W Turner, and... the castle’s atmospheric shell featured as a set in the film version of Hamlet (1991) starring Mel Gibson and Glenn Close. A fine castle Building began around 1313 by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, the richest and most powerful baron of his day and a fierce opponent of his cousin, Edward II. Edward upset more than Lancaster at his court by his devotion to Piers Gaveston, son of a Gascon nobleman. After Edward created Gaveston Earl of Cornwall, Lancaster mustered an opposition that contrived the execution of the King’s favourite for treason. However, Lancaster’s popularity amongst the other barons waned and he met his own sticky end after leaving the security of his Dunstanburgh stronghold to venture south in an ill-conceived alliance with the Scots. Meeting the King’s forces at Boroughbridge, his army was routed and Lancaster captured. Rank brought him no protection from the regal wrath and, six days later, Edward avenged the death of his friend Gaveston by the execution of Lancaster, also on charges of treason. The outer curtain walls of the castle contain more than 9 acres (3.6ha), exploiting the natural defences of a high, sheer sea cliff to the north and a craggy coast to the east. The steep western flank of the outcrop presented its own difficulties for would-be assailants. Part of the original construction, the outer wall is 10ft (3m) thick in places and was entered via a massive three-storey gatehouse protected by two towers rising high above. Additions include the Lilburn Tower on the western wall, serving as a look-out and defence against land attack, whilst the south and east were protected by the Constable’s and Egyncleugh towers. The mighty fortress must have appeared an impregnable defence but it was not designed to withstand cannon. The castle was besieged during the 1460s in the Wars of the Roses as the Yorkists moved to gain control in Northumberland and suffered a pounding at the hands of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. It was never re-fortified and quietly crumbled to become the splendid ruin seen today.
If it’s history you’re after, there’s heaps of it in Northumberland. On Hadrian’s Wall you can imagine scarlet-cloaked Roman legionaries keeping watch for painted Pictish warriors while cursing the English weather and dreaming of home.
"Situated in the heart of the traditional fishing village of Craster, The Arch is the perfect getaway for couples and families seeking a luxurious seaside retreat. With its ideal location just steps from the Northumberland Coastal Path and Craster’s iconic amenities, it’s a haven for exploring the stunning Northumbrian coastline.
Tastefully furnished to accommodate up to four guests and one small, well-behaved dog, The Arch offers a harmonious blend of modern comfort and coastal charm. Spanning two levels, the open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area exudes style and warmth, while the primary bedroom boasts breathtaking views across Craster village to Dunstanburgh Castle..."
"Situated in the heart of the traditional fishing village of Craster, The Arch is the perfect getaway for couples and families seeking a luxurious seaside retreat. With its ideal location just steps from the Northumberland Coastal Path and Craster’s iconic amenities, it’s a haven for exploring the stunning Northumbrian coastline.
Tastefully furnished to accommodate up to four guests and one small, well-behaved dog, The Arch offers a harmonious blend of modern comfort and coastal charm. Spanning two levels, the open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area exudes style and warmth, while the primary bedroom boasts breathtaking views across Craster village to Dunstanburgh Castle..."
From the car park, turn right towards the village. Immediately before the harbour, go left into Dunstanburgh Road, which is signed ‘Castle’, and carry on through a gate at the end above a rocky shore, heading towards Dunstanburgh Castle.
1 of 7
After two more gates, if you want to visit the castle keep to the main track, which winds around to its entrance. Otherwise, bear left on a less-distinct path through a shallow gorge on the landward side. Continuing below the castle, pass the ruins of the Lilburn Tower, which, perched dramatically on top of a rocky spur, are an impressive feature.
2 of 7
Beyond, as you pass above a bouldery beach, glance back to the cliffs protecting Dunstanburgh Castle’s northern aspect. In the early summer these echo to the screams of innumerable seabirds, squabbling for nesting sites on the narrow ledges.
3 of 7
Go through a kissing gate at the edge of a golf course and bear right to remain above the shore, where dramatic folding of the rocks is plainly evident. Ahead stretches the sandy expanse of Embleton Bay and, if the tide permits, you can continue along the beach.
4 of 7
Eventually, look for a prominent break in the dunes, through which a path leads across the golf course to meet a lane. Follow it up to Dunstan Steads, turning left immediately before cottages onto a drive, signed ‘Craster’. Wind ahead beside large barns to pass through a gate and continue beside the open fields beyond on a farm track.
5 of 7
After a mile (1.6km), at Dunstan Square, pass through two successive gates by a barn, then turn left through a third gate, signed ‘Craster’. Walk down the field edge, through another gate at the bottom, then on along a track rising through a break in the cliffs ahead, The Heughs. Keep going across the top to the field corner and turn through a gate on the right.
6 of 7
Walk away, initially beside the left-hand boundary, but after 150yds (137m), by a gate, bear right to follow the line of the ridge higher up. Eventually meeting the corner of a wall, continue ahead beside it. Nearing the village, leave the field corner over a stile, the onward path becoming enclosed beside gorse. Finally, the path turns abruptly left behind a house and emerges onto a street. Follow it down to the main lane and turn right, back to the car park.
Standing in dramatic isolation on a craggy outcrop of whinstone cliff overlooking the vast emptiness of the North Sea, Dunstanburgh Castle is one of England’s most spectacular medieval ruins. Its lonely silhouette has inspired several artists, such as the great landscape painter J M W Turner, and... the castle’s atmospheric shell featured as a set in the film version of Hamlet (1991) starring Mel Gibson and Glenn Close. A fine castle Building began around 1313 by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, the richest and most powerful baron of his day and a fierce opponent of his cousin, Edward II. Edward upset more than Lancaster at his court by his devotion to Piers Gaveston, son of a Gascon nobleman. After Edward created Gaveston Earl of Cornwall, Lancaster mustered an opposition that contrived the execution of the King’s favourite for treason. However, Lancaster’s popularity amongst the other barons waned and he met his own sticky end after leaving the security of his Dunstanburgh stronghold to venture south in an ill-conceived alliance with the Scots. Meeting the King’s forces at Boroughbridge, his army was routed and Lancaster captured. Rank brought him no protection from the regal wrath and, six days later, Edward avenged the death of his friend Gaveston by the execution of Lancaster, also on charges of treason. The outer curtain walls of the castle contain more than 9 acres (3.6ha), exploiting the natural defences of a high, sheer sea cliff to the north and a craggy coast to the east. The steep western flank of the outcrop presented its own difficulties for would-be assailants. Part of the original construction, the outer wall is 10ft (3m) thick in places and was entered via a massive three-storey gatehouse protected by two towers rising high above. Additions include the Lilburn Tower on the western wall, serving as a look-out and defence against land attack, whilst the south and east were protected by the Constable’s and Egyncleugh towers. The mighty fortress must have appeared an impregnable defence but it was not designed to withstand cannon. The castle was besieged during the 1460s in the Wars of the Roses as the Yorkists moved to gain control in Northumberland and suffered a pounding at the hands of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. It was never re-fortified and quietly crumbled to become the splendid ruin seen today.
If it’s history you’re after, there’s heaps of it in Northumberland. On Hadrian’s Wall you can imagine scarlet-cloaked Roman legionaries keeping watch for painted Pictish warriors while cursing the English weather and dreaming of home.
"Situated in the heart of the traditional fishing village of Craster, The Arch is the perfect getaway for couples and families seeking a luxurious seaside retreat. With its ideal location just steps from the Northumberland Coastal Path and Craster’s iconic amenities, it’s a haven for exploring the stunning Northumbrian coastline.
Tastefully furnished to accommodate up to four guests and one small, well-behaved dog, The Arch offers a harmonious blend of modern comfort and coastal charm. Spanning two levels, the open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area exudes style and warmth, while the primary bedroom boasts breathtaking views across Craster village to Dunstanburgh Castle..."
"Situated in the heart of the traditional fishing village of Craster, The Arch is the perfect getaway for couples and families seeking a luxurious seaside retreat. With its ideal location just steps from the Northumberland Coastal Path and Craster’s iconic amenities, it’s a haven for exploring the stunning Northumbrian coastline.
Tastefully furnished to accommodate up to four guests and one small, well-behaved dog, The Arch offers a harmonious blend of modern comfort and coastal charm. Spanning two levels, the open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area exudes style and warmth, while the primary bedroom boasts breathtaking views across Craster village to Dunstanburgh Castle..."
