Nestled along the coastline of an often overlooked part of England, there’s plenty of awesome things to do in Amble Northumberland to keep you busy whatever your interests.
We’re talking watersports, castles, great beer, wildlife trips, good food, shopping and beaches. Yep, it has it all!
Things To Do In Amble
In this guide to Amble Northumberland near Morpeth we’ll be giving you the lowdown on what to do during your visit plus some info on the best time of year to go, how to get there and where to stay if you’re planning on visiting for more than a day.
Where Is Amble Morpeth
Situated on the Northumberland coast, at the mouth of the River Croquet, Amble Morpeth is a popular Northeast seaside town. Technically it is just outside of the Northumberland Coast Area of National Beauty, but it is still a really pretty town with lots of nature.
Because it is one of the larger towns along the Northumberland coast it makes an excellent base for exploring this area of England.
Best Time Of Year To Visit
It’s England, so obviously the best time of year to visit weather wise is over the summer months (June – August). But it’s not the kind of British seaside town that completely closes down over winter months so you can visit at any time of year.
Interesting Facts About Amble
- Amble is also known as ‘The Friendliest Port’.
- It is home to the largest fishing boat fleet along the North East coast.
- Back in the 19th century coal was shipped from here all the way to South America.
- Each summer Amble hosts a Puffin Festival.
- Coquet Island holds 90% the UK’s rarest seabird population, the Roseate Tern.
How To Get To Amble Northumberland
By Train | The nearest train station to Amble is about five miles North, just outside the Village of Alnmouth. Depending on where you are travelling from, you’ll likely need to change in Newcastle.
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By Bus | National bus services run into Alnwick which is around ten miles North. But Amble is a stop on the local Coast and Castles Connection bus service then runs between Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed.
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By Car | The easiest way to get to Amble and explore the Northumberland coast is by car. There’s a pay and display car park near the harbour but also plenty of free parking around too.
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By Foot | If you enjoy long distance walking you can reach Amble by foot along the gorgeous Northumberland Coastal Path. Winding its way through pretty villages and over dramatic sand dunes, the 62 mile walking route is one of the most scenic in Europe.
What To Do In Amble
Amble Harbour Village
Despite being a working harbour, there’s plenty of less industrial parts to Amble harbour. In particular there’s the lovely Amble Harbour Village. Created in 2015, its 15 retail pods are brimming with all sorts of goodies from independent local businesses.
There’s everything from gin and cheese to trinkets and jewellery so it’s a great place to grab a couple of souvenirs. Opening times vary but most shops are open everyday from April to October at least between 11am – 3pm.
Lobster Hatchery
Within Amble Harbour Village you’ll also find the Northumberland Seafood Centre and Hatchery. Working to boost the local lobster population, the hatchery nurtures newborn larvae into juvenile lobsters which are released back into the sea.
It’s a little known statistic that female lobsters can carry up to 20,000 eggs under their bodies for over 9 months and after all that effort only one egg will survive to adulthood. Crazy huh?!
They are aiming to help both crabs and langoustine in the future. But for now at this popular Amble tourist attraction it’s just baby lobsters that you can see up close. They also sell an ever changing selection of locally caught fish and seafood if you fancy getting your cook on.
Croquet Island Puffins
One of the must things to do in Amble Northumberland, certainly between March and July is take a boat trip out to nearby Croquet Island. Just a mile off the Northumberland coast, this vibrant sanctuary is an important nesting site for puffins and other endangered seabirds.
For this reason you can’t actually step onto the island. But boat tours will take you around the perimeter where you can also see the resident seal colony. They run year round, weather pending, and you can find sailing times and availability here.
Spurreli Icecream
The absolute best icecream around for miles. You cannot visit Amble and not stuff your face with at least one double waffle cone of deliciousness during your stay. The flavours at Spurreli are ever rotating, but solid staples are rum and raisin, salted caramel and mint choc chip.
Fish & Chips
Likewise you absolutely can’t visit the British seaside without getting some fish and chips. Now that would be a crime! There are of course various fish and chip shops in Amble Northumberland, but the best one is Harbour Fish Bar on Broomhill Street.
It makes for a seriously pleasant evening sat on one of the benches by the harbour tucking into a battered supper. Just watch out for the seagulls circling overhead and edging ever closer as you round off your last few chips.
Brewis Beer Co
A short walk out of town is one of the more up and coming things to do in Amble, Brewis taproom. Located on Croquet Enterprise industrial park, the surroundings aren’t much to look at. But the bar is lovely and craft beer brewed on site is seriously excellent.
They often have street food trucks on site with grub that’s a perfect pairing for the beer. You can find out the lowdown and opening hours over on their Instagram. The place has a really friendly vibe with both kids and dogs made to feel welcome. We really loved it here.
Sunday Market
Every Sunday from 10am – 4pm along the harbour front you’ll find a combination of fresh produce and homeware market stalls. It’s much more of a local affair than a tourist attraction with most people here to literally do their food shopping.
So if you’re staying in self catering accommodation and cooking you’ll be in your element. There’s fishmongers, butchers, bakers, and plenty of fresh fruit and veg. But if you do need a vacuum cleaner or a new set of towels you can pick them up too!
Queen Street Shopping
If you like your shopping, another item to add to your things to do in Amble Northumberland list is this. Queen Street in Amble prides itself on its independent shops which offer everything from flowers and books to electrical goods and haberdashery.
Amble Links
At first glance it’s easy to overlook that Amble has a proper beach, but a short walk south along the coast will bring you to some beautiful wild sandy beaches. Some stretches of the Amble Links beaches also have rock pools exposed at low tide which are great for kids.
If you carry on a little further down the coast you’ll come to Low Hauxley beach. Where, if you catch the tide right, you may be able to see the remains of a 7000 year old submerged forest. This was part of Doggerland, a stretch of land that once connected Britain to Europe.
There’s also public car parks along the road if you’d prefer to drive.
Northside Surf
This stand up paddle boarding and surf school has a reputation for being the friendliest around. They offer lessons all year round on several beautiful beaches & rivers along the Northumberland coast. The River Croquet route through Warkworth is particularly popular.
Amble Marina & Harbour
Having a wander along the harbour pier and Amble Marina is a great addition for your things to do in Amble Northumberland itinerary. There’s usually lots of seabirds and if you get lucky you might witness a fisherman landing his catch of the day.
There’s also the open grasslands of Amble Braid which is a very picturesque spot to enjoy a picnic while watching the wading birds and waterfowl in the Coquet Estuary.
Warkworth
If you fancy a bit of a further walk, the picturesque town of Walkworth is just half an hour or so away. From Amble Marina just follow the bank of the River Croquet. It’s not a big place, just a few shops and a few pubs. But there’s an impressive castle and a gorgeous beach too.
Where To Stay In Amble
The Rockpool | This holiday home with a private hot tub and sea views is an excellent option for a family or group. It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms plus a log burner, roll top bath and terrace. As a bonus, if you have furry companions, the property is also pet friendly.
Click here for photos, prices, reviews & availability
Masons Arms | If you’re looking for a straightforward comfortable B&B in Amble look no further. The pub downstairs has a really welcoming vibe and you’re right in the town centre. There’s tea/coffee making facilities in the rooms and guests rave about the breakfast.
Click here for photos, prices, reviews & availability
Radcliffes Lodge | A modern and comfortable family hostel with private bathrooms, seating areas and terraces with views over the marina. There’s a shared kitchen, dining and chill out area. Plus there’s the bonus of on-site parking and that pets are allowed.
Click here for photos, prices, reviews & availability
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Yorkshire born & bred, Sarah is a professional blogger who loves to travel. Pushing her boundaries with new adventures is her jam, so you likely won’t find her in one place for too long. Also a serious Marmite addict.
