Visit Newbiggin Bay
Set along a graceful curve of sand at the southern edge of the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Beach offers a seaside experience that feels reassuringly traditional, yet quietly renewed. Wide golden sands, a long, level promenade and open North Sea views create space to breathe, wander and simply be by the water, without the bustle of larger resorts.
Once Northumberland’s most popular Victorian seaside destination, Newbiggin has rediscovered its rhythm. A major regeneration has restored its beach, strengthened its shoreline and reintroduced the town as a calm, characterful coastal escape, one where heritage, art and everyday pleasures sit side by side.
The Couple Sculpture: Art, Sea and Stillness
Standing just offshore is The Couple, a striking bronze sculpture by artist Sean Henry. Two figures gaze out to sea, separated from the shore yet emotionally anchored to it. The sculpture speaks of reflection, resilience and looking forward, without ever spelling it out.
On the promenade, Land Couple mirrors the scene, connecting art to everyday life. Together, they’ve become symbols of Newbiggin’s quiet confidence and thoughtful revival.
Family-Friendly and Accessible by Design
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Beach is particularly well suited to families. The sands are wide and safe, there’s a children’s play park close to the seafront, and seasonal events add extra interest. Beach wheelchairs are available free of charge from the Maritime Centre, and ramps and pathways make the promenade easy to navigate.
Promenade Life and Coastal Culture
Newbiggin boasts the longest promenade in Northumberland, flat and accessible, making it perfect for gentle walks with uninterrupted sea views. Along the way you’ll find cafés (Cafe Needles Eye on the seafront), galleries (follow the art trail!) and ice cream stops, with Bertorelli’s a long-standing favourite.
Walk along the sea front passed the Ice-Age Hunkleton Stone and you will come to the Newbiggin Maritime Centre a museum with local history on display. Stop in and have lunch at the cafe overlooking the beach.
At Church Point, the Newbiggin Maritime Centre brings local history into focus. Exhibits include the historic Mary Joicey lifeboat, the Girl Anne fishing coble, and stories of the town’s maritime past. Nearby, St Bartholomew’s Church, dating back to the 13th century, and the UK’s oldest operational RNLI station (established in 1851) add depth and continuity to the seafront.
Dog-Friendly Information
Dogs are welcome year-round on the promenade and South Bay. Seasonal restrictions apply to the central and northern beach sections between 1 May and 30 September. Dogs are not allowed on the section of beach from the breakwater beside Church Point to the access from the promenade beside Sidney Crescent.
This beach is …
Things to Do at Newbiggin Bay Beach
Beach Days
The wide sands are ideal for picnics, games, rock pooling and relaxed afternoons by the water. Calm conditions suit paddleboarding and kayaking.
Promenade Walks and Wildlife Watching
The flat promenade is perfect for all ages, with views across the bay. From Church Point, lucky visitors sometimes spot bottlenose dolphins offshore.
Water Sports and Golf
Sailing and sea fishing are popular locally, while Newbiggin Golf Club offers coastal links-style play close to the beach.
Nearby Attractions
Explore the region’s industrial heritage at Woodhorn Museum, or enjoy woodland walks and lakes at Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, both just a short drive away.
Discover more in the area
Places to stay
Accommodation ranges from cosy B&Bs and beachfront cottages to nearby holiday parks, with many dog-friendly options available. Summer stays are popular, so booking ahead is wise.
Have a great day out by the coast
Header Photo by Petr Bouda on Unsplash
Getting To Newbiggin Bay
Beach Location
New Biggin Beach extends from Church point, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea NE64 6DB to Needles Eye Newbiggin-by-the-Sea NE64 6XQ
Parking
Parking is available free or on-street near Church Point and the town centre. Public toilets are located at the Maritime Centre, and regular bus services connect Newbiggin with Newcastle and surrounding towns.
Nearest Train
Getting to the beach
Map of Newbiggin Bay
A Beach with a Past: From Medieval Port to Modern Revival
Newbiggin’s story stretches back centuries. In the Middle Ages, it was a thriving port, shipping grain across the North Sea and prosperous enough to be granted a weekly market and annual fair by Henry III. In 1868, it became the landing point for the first telegraph cable to Scandinavia, a quiet moment of global connection on a local shore.
Fishing shaped the town for generations, and traditional cobles can still be seen today. Later came coal mining, with Newbiggin Colliery operating through much of the 20th century, before coastal erosion and industrial decline took their toll.
The turning point came in 2007, when a £10 million regeneration project transformed the seafront. Over 500,000 tonnes of sand were brought in, new breakwaters were built, and the beach was reborn, not as something new, but as something returned.
Explore the UK coastline
What’s On along the Coast
Throughout the year there are a series of events and festivals taking place along the Coast in 2026. Find out What’s On from food festivals to cultural and sporting events.
Read more from the blog here