The Northumberland Coastal Route has been named as England’s best road trip, taking you to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country – and it’s just a road trip away from Newcastle
The North East boasts England’s top road trip, according to one travel blogger. If you’re looking for a last-minute trip that doesn’t necessarily involve getting into a plane and travelling thousands of miles away, this is a good alternative. You need a car, good company and a bathing suit.
Paul McDougal champions the Northumberland Coastal Route, stating it “isn’t the biggest, the most famous, or most dramatic road trip in England, but it’s absolutely my favourite”. However, the travel aficionado concedes he “might be a bit biased” as he hails from the region himself.
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Nonetheless, once you see it for yourself, it won’t take you long to understand why. He also suggests starting the journey from Tynemouth and “hugging the coast as closely as you can”.
Departing from Tynemouth, just a stone’s throw from Newcastle, it’s a mere 10-minute drive to Whitley Bay. This seaside town is packed with traditional pubs and independent shops, and boasts a mile-long stretch of Blue Flag beach, reports the Express.
A half-hour drive from the bay will take you to Cresswell, a coastal village renowned for its sandy beach, which Visit Northumberland describes as “one of the best on the Northumberland coast for dog walkers and families looking for a day at the beach”.
Just shy of an hour further up the coast, you’ll find Craster, a fishing village nestled within the Northumberland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This designation makes it one of England’s 34 sites earmarked for conservation under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
Visit Craster describes the village as “it is a popular destination for those seeking peace and quiet in a spectacular setting.” Just moments away lies Alnwick Gardens, cultivated by the Duchess of Northumberland back in 1996.
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Welcoming visitors to explore its grounds, the attraction boasts a mysterious “poison garden” housing roughly 100 lethal and hazardous plants, with standard adult admission priced at £18.95.
A mere 50-minute journey north from Craster brings you to Berwick-upon-Tweed, the ultimate destination on this scenic route. This charming town earned recognition as the Guardian’s “happiest place to live in Britain” for 2025, with Monty Python legend Michael Palin once describing it as: “It feels like somewhere where stories happen and where stories are told.”
Travellers are advised to savour the journey at a leisurely pace, allowing ample opportunity to immerse themselves in each location and experience the region renowned for its welcoming locals.
