River lined with trees
England,  Monday walks,  Rivers

A stroll by the Coquet

August 15, 2024 / 49 Comments

The Coquet River rises in the Cheviot Hills on the border between England and Scotland, and follows a winding course through the beautiful Northumberland countryside before flowing into the North Sea at Amble. Just before it reaches the sea it loops around the charming village of Warkworth.

This could be the quintessential northern English village. It has a castle perched on a hilltop at one end of the main street, which then leads down to an attractive church and a medieval bridge over the river. Between castle and bridge you will find plenty of pubs, cafés and a few browsable shops. And behind the houses to one side of the main street a pretty path follows the course of the river. We recently had a lovely stroll there, perfect for a Monday Walk.

Warkworth Beach

But first, being so close to the coast, we had to see the sea! So we parked not in the village but in the beach car park about half a mile away. From here we followed the path through the dunes to the beach.

Sandy track between tufts of grass
Long grass and blue sky

Path through the dunes

Although it was a sunny August day the wind was fresh. But that hadn’t deterred a few families from setting up here for a day by the sea. Some children were building sandcastles, but no one had ventured into the water. However I’m sure had we been here later in the morning there would have been some feeling hardy enough to brave the chill of the North Sea. As it was, not even the several dogs seemed minded to get wet!

The light was lovely, the sun sparkling on the water, and we could see Coquet Island on the horizon.

Distant island on the horizon with sea sparkling
Dog on a sandy beach near the water's edge

Beach scenes

We had other plans than a day on the beach, so we turned back the way we had come, passing the car park and following a track between the road and a field, lined with poppies and with views of the castle.

Stubble field and distant castle
Poppy with a tiny insect inside

Path to the village

Medieval bridge

Th path brought us out on the main road at the foot of the village street. Today a modern (1960s) bridge carries that road across the Coquet at this point, but the ancient stone bridge still stands, to be used by pedestrians. As the plaque inside the small gatehouse at one end explains, this dates from the fourteenth century. The gate has a small (closed-up) chamber for a guard who would have alerted residents of the village to the risk of attack from the north, while the castle protected its southern fringes.

Looking along a stone bridge to a small arched gatehouse
Information plaque on a stone wall
Stone bridge and river
Stone bridge with a small arched gatehouse at one end

Bridge views

Riverside walk

We made a small detour into the village to have coffee, then retraced our steps to the river’s edge to follow the path along the bank. There was plenty here to see and photograph. People were out rowing and kayaking; we smiled to see one woman taking her three dogs for a ride! There were pretty flowers everywhere and I was pleased to spot some butterflies too.

Woman rowing an inflatable boat with three dogs on board
Boating dogs
White flowers with yellow centres
Trumpet-shaped flowers by a river
Butterfly on a spray of buddleia
Butterfly on a stone slab

Flowers and butterflies

After about a mile we turned back and retraced our steps as far as the point where the castle looms above the river.

River lined with trees and castle beyond
River lined with trees and castle beyond

Castle views

Warkworth Castle

The castle dominates the village and can be seen from some distance away. I took the photo below on a visit to nearby Amble a few years ago.

Boats in a river with a castle in the middle distance
Warkworth Castle from Amble

Reaching the foot of the castle’s small hill we turned away from the river to climb up to a point just below its walls. However lunch was beckoning so we didn’t go inside on this occasion.

Part-ruined castle wall and tower
Looking up at the castle

The castle buildings we see today date from between the twelfth to sixteenth centuries, and were partly restored in the 1850s. The central great tower was commissioned by Henry Percy after he was made 1st Earl of Northumberland in 1377. It is in the shape of a Greek cross, with four polygonal wings radiating from a central block, above which rises a viewing tower.

The village

From the castle we followed the main village street downhill. I omitted to take any photos of the general scene, knowing I had some from earlier visits, so one of those will have to suffice to show you the village. It was taken on a winter outing, which explains the bare trees! It’s a shame about the parked cars but it’s impossible to avoid them unfortunately. The village wasn’t designed for today’s car-focused world and parking is a challenge for both locals and tourists.

Street lined with houses, running downhill
Main street through the village

I did however photograph a couple of attractive door knockers that caught my eye. Warkworth has been voted one of the most desirable English villages to live in and residents are clearly proud of it, although it faces the same challenges as many rural areas with young people priced out of buying property because of the growing demand for holiday homes and lets. So far it seems to be keeping a balance between the needs of residents and visitors; long may that continue!

Small door knocker shaped like a jester's face and hat
Small door knocker shaped like a fish

Warkworth doors

I last visited Warkworth in August 2024 when most of these photos were taken; the others are from 2019 (Amble view) and 2013 (village street)

49 Comments

Do share your thoughts, I'd love to hear from you! And please include your name in case WP marks you 'anonymous' - thank you