A good dog walk is half the reason to come away at all. Somewhere your dog can stretch out, nose into the wind and run until they are happily worn out, and somewhere warm for both of you afterwards.
Northumberland is made for it. Some of the finest dog walks in Northumberland are right here: miles of open beach, river paths under the trees, forest tracks and big breezy hills, and most of them sit a short drive from the lodges at Felmoor Park and Percy Wood. Here are the walks worth knowing, from the coast to Kielder, with a few easy pointers for a happy day out.
Dog-friendly beaches in Northumberland
The coast is the headline act for most dogs, and several of Northumberland’s best beaches welcome them every month of the year. Here are the ones worth pointing the car at, north to south.
Long open sands: Druridge, Bamburgh and Warkworth
- Druridge Bay unrolls seven miles of flat, golden sand from Amble down to Cresswell, with dunes behind and room to run long after busier beaches feel full. Dogs are welcome all year, with just a short on-lead stretch through the nature reserve, and the country park behind the beach adds a gentle mile-and-a-half loop around Ladyburn Lake for a softer day.
- Bamburgh stretches for miles beneath its castle, firm enough at low tide for a proper gallop into the wind, with rock pools at the quieter northern end for a slower mooch. Make a day of it with our guide to Bamburgh Castle and beach.
- Warkworth pairs a long dog-friendly beach with the River Coquet and a castle on the hill, so a beach walk turns easily into a half-day out, as our guide to Warkworth coastal village shows. There is easy parking by the dunes and a short stroll into the village for a coffee.
Harbour-town beaches: Beadnell, Seahouses and Amble
- Beadnell and Seahouses give you a gentle stretch of the Northumberland Coast Path, with harbours, rock pools and a coffee at the end. Dogs are welcome year-round, though the National Trust asks for a short lead near the Long Nanny nesting site just north of Beadnell through spring and summer, when terns are breeding in the dunes.
- Amble has two easy beaches where the Coquet meets the sea: the sheltered crescent of Little Shore close to town, and the longer sand and shingle of Amble Links just south of the marina, both open to dogs all year. The harbour, marina and ‘kindliest port’ welcome make it a lovely place to round off a walk.
Across all of them the only real ask is a sensible lead near the dunes in nesting season. Beyond that, it is sand, sea and space.
Coast and countryside walks worth the drive
If you like to arrive with a route in mind, these five between them cover sand, woodland, river and hill, each an easy drive from the parks. Distances are approximate, so pick the one that suits the dog in your party.
| Walk | Distance and terrain | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bamburgh to Budle Bay | About 3 miles, flat firm sand | Lead near the dunes for nesting birds in spring |
| Druridge Bay circular | Up to 7 miles, sand and easy dune paths | Long off-lead stretches on the open sand |
| Plessey Woods, near Morpeth | 1 to 3 miles, level woodland and riverside | Shaded and sheltered, a good call after rain |
| Simonside Hills, Rothbury | About 4 miles, hill paths with one steep pull | Big views; lead near grazing sheep |
| Warkworth and the Coquet | 2 to 4 miles, beach and riverside | Castle on the hill, cafes in the village |
For the wide-open option, the moors and crags of Northumberland National Park give you proper hill walking and rights of way across open country, with hardly another soul about.
Walks to suit any dog and any day
Not every dog wants the same walk, and not every day calls for the same effort. The joy of Northumberland is the choice within a short drive, so you can match the outing to the dog you have and the weather you wake up to.
- Love a paddle? The 26-mile Lakeside Way at Kielder and the rivers at Warkworth and Plessey Woods all have safe, gentle spots to wade in, and Ladyburn Lake at Druridge Bay is another easy one for a water-loving dog.
- Want a short, level circular? The mile-long accessible loop around Bolam Lake near Morpeth and the riverside paths at Plessey Woods are flat and easy to stretch or shorten to the hour you have, which makes them kind on older dogs and small legs alike.
- Got an energetic dog? The long sands at Druridge and Bamburgh and the ridge at Simonside will happily wear them out, with miles of open ground to cover before they flag.
- After off-lead freedom? The open beach at Druridge and the wide forest tracks at Kielder give room to roam where it is safe, well away from livestock and roads.
Walking Hadrian’s Wall and Kielder with your dog
Two of the county’s most famous walks are also two of its best with a dog. The path past Steel Rigg, Sycamore Gap and Crag Lough on Hadrian’s Wall is a clear, dramatic ridge walk, and the lough makes a welcome cooling-off stop for hot paws on the way back.
West of there, Kielder Water and Forest Park has mile after mile of forest track and a 26-mile shoreline trail you can dip into for an hour or a whole day, with plenty of spots for a paddle. It is a fair drive from the coast, so save it for a full day out.
Dog walks close to Felmoor Park and Percy Wood
Hemera Holidays lets dog-friendly lodges at two Northumberland parks: Felmoor Park near Morpeth and Percy Wood near Swarland. Both sit in open countryside, so not every walk needs the car, with quiet lanes and field paths around the parks ready for the easy first-and-last stretch of the day close to your lodge.
For a longer outing, Morpeth and Rothbury are both close, with riverside paths, dog-friendly cafes and easy parking, and Alnwick is a short drive north when you fancy a town day with the dog in tow.
Bringing the dog along: a few easy pointers
Northumberland is a relaxed place to bring a dog. Most of the coast and countryside is open to them, and you will pass plenty of other dogs and friendly owners along the way.
Only a couple of things are worth a thought. Pop the lead on around sheep and cattle, and near the coastal dunes in spring when ground-nesting birds are about; a quick look at the signs at each car park shows you where. Bring water for warm days and a towel for the wet, sandy, happy trip home, and you are set.
Round it off at a dog-friendly pub or cafe
Half the pleasure of a long walk is the welcome at the end, and Northumberland is well stocked with places that put down a water bowl before they hand you a menu.
Near Morpeth, Pleased to Meet You keeps dog-friendly corners across its bar, restaurant and tearoom. The Northumberland Arms at Felton sits right by the Coquet, with a riverside park on the doorstep for one last stretch of legs. Over towards Warkworth, The Masons Arms is a firm favourite with walkers and their dogs, and the William de Percy at Otterburn welcomes muddy paws on the edge of the National Park.
Dog-friendly status does change, so it is worth a quick call before you set off. Visit Northumberland keeps a handy round-up of dog-friendly pubs and cafes across the county.
Where to stay with your dog
The best dog walks end somewhere warm. After a windy beach or a forest track, a lodge with a hot tub lets you thaw out while the dog dries off by the door, paws twitching through a good long sleep.
When you are ready to choose a base, browse our dog-friendly lodges at Felmoor Park and Percy Wood, or read why Northumberland makes such an easy dog-friendly staycation before you book. You can also explore our hot tub lodge holidays for a cosy base after a day outdoors.