The Canine guide to Bamburgh

Surrounded by sweeping beaches with pristine golden sands, guarded by a momentous castle, and lined by the winding trails of the Northumberland Coast Path, Bamburgh is a holiday destination guaranteed to set tails wagging.

Dog-friendly Bamburgh is a charming coastal village dotted with cosy pubs and enveloped by a long list of exciting attractions. Whether you’re enjoying a gentle scamper in the shadow of the iconic Bamburgh Castle, racing through the sand dunes, or cruising around the coast on a wildlife-watching boat trip, there’s plenty to keep the whole pack entertained here.

If you’re thinking of treating your canine companions to a staycation in this glorious pocket of the Northumberland Coast National Landscape, read on to discover some of the best dog-friendly things to do in Bamburgh. Or if you’d like to paw through our collection of dog-friendly holiday cottages in Bamburgh, just click the button below.

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• Top days out
• Top beaches
• Top walkies
• Top dining spots
• Top places to stay

Great dog-friendly days out in Bamburgh

For the best days out in Bamburgh, read on. Discover everything from ancient castles to boat trips on your holiday to Bamburgh. 

Bamburgh Castle

Best day out for history-loving hounds: Steeped in myths and legends, the imposing fortress of Bamburgh Castle cuts a striking figure on the clifftop above the town. This fascinating attraction has fiercely protected this part of the Northumberland coastline from its high vantage point for the past 1,400 years, and today welcomes visitors to enjoy the grounds and staterooms including the medieval kitchen and grand Victorian Kings Hall. And better still, Bamburgh Castle is dog friendly.

Why your dog will love it: While curious canines aren’t able to explore the interiors of the castle, they are welcome to sniff out the nooks and crannies of the castle grounds, Armstrong & Aviation Museum, Victorian Stables and Tack Room Café, so there’s plenty to keep them amused.

Holy Island and Lindisfarne Priory

Best day out for furry view seekers: Follow in the footsteps of ancient monks and cross the dramatic causeway to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. This remote island can only be reached at low tide but it’s worth the journey for the spectacular views. Although dogs aren’t permitted within the 16^th-century castle here, they are welcome inside Lindisfarne Priory on a lead. There are also some great spots for walkies on the island, as well as water bowls by the admissions point, on-site dog bins and a shop in the village selling doggy snacks.

Why your dog will love it: After exploring the island and priory, there’s a great dog-friendly pub to enjoy a well-deserved snooze while the humans tuck into some lunch, the Crown and Anchor Inn. 

Golden Gate Boat Trips

Best day out for salty sea dogs: Why not treat your pack to a scenic cruise to the Farne Islands? Golden Gate Boat Trips is the only company allowed to land on Longstone Island and tour Grace Darling’s lighthouse. Skipper and lighthouse keeper, George Shiel, will be your guide as you look out for seals, dolphins and puffins along the way. This is the only island that dogs are allowed on and they must always be kept on a lead to protect the local seal colony. Sadly, canine companions are not allowed inside the lighthouse, but you can always take it in turns to climb to the top and look out of Grace’s bedroom window where she famously saw the wreck of the Forfarshire.

Why your dog will love it: This dog-friendly attraction near Bamburgh is a wonderful way for Fido to experience the Northumberland Heritage Coast from a different perspective and get a glimpse of Europe's largest offshore bird sanctuary. Best of all, dogs sail for free!

Lovely dog-friendly beaches in Bamburgh

Northumberland is famous for its long sandy beaches. Many of them welcome dogs, so we've compiled a short list of our favourite pet-friendly beaches in and around Bamburgh.

Bamburgh Castle Beach

Best for doggy paddles: Stretching for miles and dominated by the magnificent fortress of Bamburgh Castle rising some 150ft from its weathered basalt rock, this has got to be one of the most atmospheric locations for a stroll anywhere in England. But is Bamburgh Beach dog friendly? Yes, this wide expanse of sand is dog-friendly all year round without any restrictions. Whether they love chasing a ball, rolling through the dunes or paddling in the sea, playful pups will adore a day out here.

Why your dog will love it: It’s a truly beguiling place to enjoy a w-a-l-k and expansive enough to ensure you’re both worn out by the end of the day. Plus, a trip to the beach can be combined with a visit to the castle.

Seahouses North Beach

Best for long zoomies: The sandy beach to the north of the village of Seahouses stretches all the way to Bamburgh, so is perfect for energetic hounds who just want to run, and run, and run. Sandy-pawed pals are welcome on Seahouses North Beach without restrictions all year round and there’s plenty of pet-friendly pubs in the village to relax in afterwards when you’re all puffed out (even if your dog isn’t!).

Why your dog will love it: Not only is there lots of sand to frolic on, but there are also grassy dunes to bury a ball and a number of rocky outcrops to bound across.

Beadnell Bay

Best for seasonal stomps: Just 5 miles from Bamburgh, Beadnell Bay Beach is a sheltered crescent of sand, popular with families and water sports enthusiasts. It is backed by enormous sand dunes, just right for a spot of sledging, and the bay is home to an important colony of little and Arctic terns that can be seen swooping overhead. To that end, there are seasonal restrictions during bird breeding season when dogs must be kept on a lead or at heel.

Why your dog will love it: Beadnell is the only west-facing harbour on the east coast, making it an enchanting place to watch the sunset – why not treat your pack to a portion of fish and chips and enjoy a picnic on the beach as the sun goes down?

Wonderful dog-friendly walks in Bamburgh

Not much can beat a long coastal walk with your dog. There are several wonderful walks in the Bamburgh area. Here's a few of our favourites.

Bamburgh to Seahouses

Best for an easy beach walk: The 3-mile walk from Bamburgh to Seahouses is certainly a scenic one, on a flat, easy path alongside the golden beach. You’ll pass undulating sand dunes and colourful wildflowers and enjoy spectacular views over to the nearby Farne Islands. When you reach Seahouses, you can stop for a refreshing pint and bowl of water at the dog-friendly Bamburgh Castle Inn before either walking back to Bamburgh or catching the bus. If you want to extend your walk further, you can continue along the Northumberland Coast Path for another 7 miles to Newton-by-the-Sea via Beadnell. You can then catch the bus back from High Newton.

Why your dog will love it: There are lots of opportunities for sandcastle bombing and splashing through the surf along the way.  

Bamburgh to Budle Bay Circular

Best for wildlife watching: This circular dog-friendly walk in Bamburgh takes you from Bamburgh Castle to the unspoilt Budle Bay which forms part of Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve. At 5 miles long, this leisurely scamper offers lots to see as you meander beside a much wilder stretch of coast, with a range of wildlife habitats and plenty of those big-sky views that Northumberland is famous for. Look out for grey seals, pink-footed and greylag geese, wigeons, grey plovers and bar-tailed godwits en route. The St Oswald's Way long-distance footpath runs along this section of coast so you could extend your walk by continuing along the trail if your pup has the energy to burn.

Why your dog will love it: There’s gorgeous coastal scenery to admire and so many new sights, sounds and smells to sniff out.

St Cuthbert's Cave Walk

Best for local history: If you fancy venturing inland during your dog-friendly holiday in Bamburgh and treating your tufty-pawed pal to a little history, then the 2-mile St Cuthbert's Cave Walk might be a good choice. One of the top dog walks near Bamburgh, the trail visits an interesting sandstone cave where the monks of Lindisfarne reputedly brought St. Cuthbert's body in AD875 following Viking raids on the island – the bones are now enshrined in Durham Cathedral.

Why your dog will love it: Stick chasers will be in their element here as the cave is surrounded by fragrant Scots pine woodland.

Top dog-friendly places to eat and drink in Bamburgh

Bamburgh is only small, yet it has a big heart when it comes to inviting dog owners in for something to eat. Here is a small selection of Bamburgh's dog-friendly places to eat and drink.

The Bamburgh Castle Inn

Best for delicious pub grub: After windswept walkies along Bamburgh Castle Beach, nothing beats a well-earned bowl of water and some complimentary doggy treats at The Bamburgh Castle Inn. One of the best dog-friendly pubs in Bamburgh, this traditional watering hole is a great place to relax and soak up the views of the Northumberland coast following a blissful beach day with your canine companion. The Inn is famous for its Great British pub classics such as fish and chips, and steak and ale pie, as well as the mouth-watering Bamburgh Castle Inn burger.

Why your dog will love it: Pups can stretch their paws in the dedicated dog-friendly bar area watching colourful fishing boats coming into Lowgos Bay from the window.

The Lord Crewe

Best for doggy treats: Another one of the top pubs in Bamburgh that allows dogs is the Lord Crewe where a cosy wood burner awaits tired hounds on a crisp winter’s day. While your pup curls up in the warmth of the fire, you can tuck into a light lunch or hearty evening meal, the perfect reward after a lengthy jaunt nearby. Dogs are welcome inside the bar area, as well as the beer garden.

Why your dog will love it: Along with being wonderfully cosy during the colder months, four-legged diners can look forward to doggy ice cream here in the summer, a tail-wagging treat to enjoy in the sunny beer garden.

The Potted Lobster

Best for a special occasion: If you’re looking for a bistro-style dining experience which can be enjoyed with your canine companion by your side, then The Potted Lobster should be at the top of your list. This dog-friendly restaurant in Bamburgh serves fresh and local ingredients in a small and atmospheric setting. Look forward to the likes of Lindisfarne oysters, Northumbrian beef and, of course, potted or whole lobster.

Why your dog will love it: There is a special dog-friendly area where pups can relax in style and there’s always plenty of fuss from the hound-loving staff. 

Map 

Use this handy map to find all the places mentioned in this guide to dog-friendly Bamburgh.

Enjoy a dog-friendly holiday in Bamburgh

For the ultimate backdrop to your staycation, choose one of our self-catering dog-friendly holiday cottages in Bamburgh. Whether you are travelling as a couple, a family or a group of friends, you’ll find a wide range of pet-friendly accommodation within our collection which will place you perfectly for memorable holidays in this glorious part of Northumberland. You can also discover more dog-friendly things to do in Northumberland with our comprehensive Canine guide to this unforgettable UK destination.