Northumberland Coast - Craster to Warkworth

Navigating The Route

This is a driving Treasure Hunt along the Northumberland Coast from Craster to Warkworth, with Adventurers helping the Exploration Society follow a sealed map, beat the tides and dig up the trove rumoured to have been hidden by Peg Leg Geordie, the infamous smuggler, on a small island off the Northumberland coast.

This Trail is the same as Coastal Driving Trail (a) but in reverse.

The quest covers 13 miles and should take around 3 hours to complete. You'll begin at Craster Quarry Car Park, explore Craster, continue via Longhoughton and Alnmouth, then head on to Warkworth as the smuggler's trail unfolds along the coast.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. There are good paths, but some steps are involved. Some parts of the route in Craster do not have pavements, and there is a need to step onto the road in Warkworth at one point.

Take care with traffic where there are no pavements in Craster, and at the point where you need to step onto the road in Warkworth. By the river in Warkworth, do not get too close to the riverbank.

Getting There

By car: Begin at Craster Quarry Car Park (NE66 3TW), using ///occupy.revived.frail. Park on the right hand side before entering Craster, then begin at the middle part of the car park before it heads the larger section around the back.

School Green (NE66 3AG) is another parking stop on the route. Park at the far end of Longhoughton in a small area on the left, opposite the church.

The Stanners parking area (NE65 0UR) is also on the route. Approach it down a lane to the left of St Lawrence's Church.

By public transport: Make your way to Craster Quarry Car Park on the right hand side before entering Craster to begin the quest. This is a driving Trail, so arrange transport for the 13-mile route before setting off after Peg Leg Geordie's hidden booty.

Need the Loo?

There are toilets on the route through Warkworth, near the first clue in Alnmouth and by the car park in Craster.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome to join the treasure hunt. 🐾

Dogs should be supervised closely, especially where Craster has no pavements, where you need to step onto the road in Warkworth, and by the riverbank in Warkworth. One section also notes not to let them run ahead in search of the next three clues, so keep canine Adventurers close while the map-work continues.

Food & Drink Stops

Smuggler-chasing is hungry work, so bring your own provisions or pick up supplies as you go. There are several fine picnic spots along the way if you'd rather pause mid-quest and enjoy the coast while you plot Peg Leg Geordie's next move.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Craster

Craster is famous for its top-notch kippers - proper breakfast royalty. The herrings were once hauled from the North Sea, but nowadays they often arrive from waters near Iceland. To earn kipper status, the fish needs just the right oiliness, then it's smoked for around 16 hours until it's beautifully bronzed and delicious.

Alnmouth

Alnmouth brings a dramatic slice of coastal history to the quest. In 1779, an American ship commanded by John Paul Jones attacked the port and narrowly missed the church with cannon fire. These days, it's described as seaside calm and cake - a much more relaxing combination for Adventurers.

Warkworth

Warkworth is a cracking finale for a coastal treasure hunt. Its main street runs between a medieval castle at one end and England's only surviving fortified bridge at the other. Raids and clashes with invading Scots once brought real danger and violence to this strategic spot, so Peg Leg Geordie would have felt right at home among all that history.