Beadnell Bay
Sand as far as the eye can see…
Rock Race, March 2024
Sony A7R V | 100mm f/8.0 1/800s ISO160
This is something of a placeholder; after all the excitement of the move and the initial burst of enthusiasm progress on the blog has stalled a little. This is partly the demands of a new house and home and partly (and possibly related) because I’ve struggled with the camera a little over the last couple of months. Nonetheless, while there’s still plenty to explore I hope that there’s enough here to encourage you to take a look at Beadnell if you’re passing.
Sitting to the south of Bamburgh and Seashouses, Beadnell’s main claim to fame aside from it’s fantastic beach is that it boasts the only west-facing harbour entrance on England’s east coast. It is the beach, though, that is the draw and makes Beadnell such a popular spot for tourists and holiday-makers. As such, there are a few decent spots to eat and drink including The Landing, which we’ve enjoyed visiting.
The Beadnell Bay Car Park (charges definitely apply) gives access to the beach which gives access to around two miles of sandy beach. While it has not yet felt overly busy, off season it can feel as though you have the beach to yourself. The walk along the beach give you good views of the harbour, which was built and extended by John Wood in the 18th century to support the export of lime. The old limekilns are still very much a feature.
The beach itself is a popular spot for kitesurfers and windsurfers and I have every intention of coming back over the summer to shoot them in action. As you head along the beach, heading towards the point where the Long Nanny meets the seas, there is also plenty of wildlife. Just beyond the burn, and over the bridge, you have Newton Links which is home to a number of species and a quiet day would be rewarding for the keen ornithologist.
Photographically, though, the attraction for me are the sand dunes, the marram grasses and little details along the edges of the dunes. These, I think, make for lovely little vignettes of a day out on the Northumberland coast.
Finally, it’s a great spot for hunting the small details in the expanse of the beach. Both the Rock Race image at the top of the page and the Kelp below are a consequence of looking down as well as up and along. I enjoy the textures and colours in both.
Kelp, March 2024
Sony A7R V | 100mm f/9.0 1/800s ISO3200
I can see this becoming a regular stop for us given that it’s only around 40 minutes away. Craster, with its proximity to Dunstanburgh Castle, is just down the road which could make for a rewarding day out.
