Path improvements at Warkworth Dunes

Recent work at Warkworth Dunes Picnic Site will improve accessibility in and around the picnic site as well as providing a gentle incline path towards the beach. In total, 700m of path has been created or improved, including the removal of six physical barriers to access.

Warkworth Picnic Site is a gateway to the National Landscape, a setting-off point for the beach, further exploration of the coast or a longer hike along the Northumberland Coast Path. 

Working with the site owner Northumberland County Council and funded by Defra's Access For All programme, this project will ensure that people of all abilities can get closer to nature. The work was carried out by local contractor W. L. Straughan and Son Ltd.

The Access for All programme provides funding to remove physical and digital infrastructure barriers in protected landscapes, including the Northumberland Coast National Landscape.

In 2023-24, Access for All funds enabled us to create 500m of surfaced path at Warkworth. This linked the route between Warkworth village, the Warkworth Dunes picnic site and the England Coast Path.

The programme also paid for 8 all-terrain electric wheelchairs and an upright DeBug beach wheelchair, both for use by Beach Access North East at Beadnell.

Previous Access for All projects include the provision of beach access equipment and additional storage space at Beadnell. At Newton-by-the-Sea a new accessible path was created to the National Trust bird hide at Newton Pool and two accessible wicket gates were installed.

There are plans for future Access for All projects later in 2025, which we  will share then.