amble & northumberland We are proud to be Gold Award Northumberland Tourism Ambassadors!

Days Out/Leisure Amble is an ideal base for a holiday in Northumberland. It is situated near the southern end of the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which stretches 39 miles from Berwick upon Tweed in the north down to the Coquet estuary at Amble and was designated as an AONB in 1958.

Within this stretch of coastline is some of the most beautiful and dramatic scenery in the whole of the UK. The area is famous for its stunning sandy beaches, imposing sand dunes, rocky cliffs and islands such as Lindisfarne, the Farne Islands and Coquet Island. Warkworth and the surrounding area is also steeped in history with castles, cathedrals, museums and other many other places of interest within easy travelling distance. This section aims to showcase some of the best Days Out’ on offer in the Amble area.

NORTHSIDE SURFSCHOOL Beach Surf and Stand Up Paddle Lessons SURF’S UP!! A family-run Surfschool based in Amble Northumberland, situated on the stunning northeast coast and offers beach surf lessons to young and old. The business is operated by Jon Nolan who has worldwide surfing experience and is a BSA Surfing Coach and a RLSS Beach Lifeguard. Northside can arrange lessons on several beaches along the Northumberland coast: North Druridge Bay, Warkworth Bay, Longhoughton Bay, Embleton Bay, Beadnell Bay, Seahouses and Bamburgh. They even have exclusive access to their own private beach road! Northside Surfschool operates 7 days a week, 12 months of the year and caters for all needs. Silver Surfers!! Kids bodyboarding lessons and parties, Kids paddleboarding , Gift Vouchers and SURF CLUB! Come and try out our new GIANT stand up paddle board for up to 10 kids or 8 adults! Perfect for birthday parties or hen/stag parties,great fun for all ages! See www.northside-surf-school.co.uk or phone 01665 713146 Or 07944 398115 for details of latest offers and booking information. The Original and Best Surfschool in Northumberland!

Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre Located near Low Hauxley at the Northern end of Druridge Bay, we can personally vouch that the Discovery Centre is ideal for a family day out. Insect spotting birdwatching butterflies geological interest getting away from it all historical interest spring migrant birds stunning views wildflowers red squirrels cafe carpark Visit www.nwt.org.uk/reserves/hauxley for more information

A long-established family business – this one hour boat trip sails out around Coquet Island viewing historic island , the bird reserve and the rich sea life aboard one of two passenger vessels, the G Fisher and a restored lifeboat the ex Eastbourne 41ft Watson Class RNLI Lifeboat the 'RNLB Beryl Tollemache'. Puffin Cruises trip around Coquet Island was voted the 10th best venue to visit when on holiday in the British Isles by the Sunday Telegraph. Booking is recommended For sailing times and to reserve your place on this unique cruise or for more information please call 07752 861914 or 01665 711975 Email: beth.gray@virgin.net www.puffincruises.co.uk

Woodhorn Museum, Archives and Country Park Woodhorn is a vibrant, exciting place to visit all year round with a great programme of activities and exhibitions for the whole family. Inspired by monster coal cutting machines once used deep underground, the stunning Cutter building and original listed colliery structures house fascinating, hands-on exhibitions and displays. You can take an emotional journey through Coal Town and discover a proud mining community; explore the colliery buildings and imagine what it would have been like to work underground; hum along to the brass band at the Miners’ Picnic, see the colourful banners and even design your own. Marvel at the original paintings of the Ashington Group – miners from the 1930s whose story has inspired remarkable play, Pitman Painters, by Billy Elliot writer, Lee Hall. Woodhorn is home to Northumberland’s public archive too. MUSEUM & GALLERIES OPENING TIMES: Wednesday – Sunday (plus Bank Holiday Mondays and Mondays & Tuesdays in Northumberland school holidays ) October – March 10am – 4pm April – September 10am – 5pm Closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. NORTHUMBERLAND ARCHIVES AND STUDY CENTRE: Wednesday - Saturday: 10am - 4pm (Closed all Bank Holidays). Woodhorn is located just off the A189 www.experiencewoodhorn.com

Duridge Bay Country Park Druridge Bay is a stunning seven mile stretch of sand from Amble to Cresswell and is a popular place to ride, cycle walk, paddle and surf. It has all the amenities you need to enjoy a day at the coast with toilets, cafe and children's play area. Today it is very peaceful with just the sound of the surf and seabirds, but the beach has a fascinating and varied past. In the 19th century coal was mined nearby. During World War II Druridge Bay was thought of as a possible landing place for a German invasion and the anti-tank blocks and pill boxes that were constructed to defend our shores can still be seen. The park is centred on a lake with surrounding meadows and woods which has been restored from an old opencast coal mine and is maturing into a very pleasant landscape for walks and picnics. In addition there are 3 miles of high-quality beach and sand-dunes which offer ample space to get away from it all. Facilities include a visitor centre with information, toilets, a cafe and gift shop (open most weekends and school holidays), activities, water sports, bird-watching, walks, orienteering and cycling. There are also a series of smaller nature reserves - home to everything from a resident herd of swans to rare birds like the Golden Eye Snipe. Email: druridgebay@northumberland.gov.uk Please click here to visit the website for Druridge Bay Please note that normal car parking charges apply throughout the year.

ALN VALLEY RAILWAY Lionheart Railway Station Lionheart Enterprise Park Alnwick Northumberland NE66 2EZ photo courtesy of Aln Valley Railway Facebook page The Aln Valley Railway project is an ambitious plan to reopen the branch line from Alnmouth to Alnwick. Find out all about this unique project and plan your visit by clicking here.