Embleton - A Visitors Guide

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The village of Embleton dates back to beyond medieval times.

During the Wars of the Roses Embleton suffered much from the ravages of Scottish invaders.

For many years local farmers paid an annual fee of sixpence for permission to drive their stock into Dunstanburgh Castle for safety.

The Church of Holy Trinity is a late Norman church dating from the 12th century, and was later restored in Victorian times.

Beach Hut at Embleton Bay © C Smith - CCL

Southern entrance to Embleton village© J C Ousby - CCL

Dunstanburgh Castle from Embleton Bay © John Clive Nicholson - CCL

Viewed from the sea, the undulating whinstone ridge that shelters much of the village from east winds, resembles a caterpillar, hence the old name 'Emeldune', meaning the hill of the caterpillar.

The village hall, the Creighton Memorial Hall, is the centre of social life in the village.

Golfers can enjoy a good 18-hole links golf course overlooking the beautiful Embleton Bay.

The local football team, Embleton Whinstone Rovers Football Club, play in the North Northumberland League Division Two.

The team are part of a sporting club, which also includes Embleton Cricket Club and Embleton Juniors.

Recently launched, the Embleton Heritage Trails Project explores the history of the parish and its surrounding area.

The project has been two years in the making, and consists of six trails, ranging from a short walk around the village, to a longer six mile route, following the spectacular coastline and inland into the tranquil countryside.

An interesting 40-page guidebook is available from local shops and tourist information centres.

On the yellow sand of Embleton Bay near the dunes is a large grey rock called 'Bathing Rock'.

A little to the northwest of this is the famous 'Vanishing Rock' on which the name 'Andra Barton' is carved.

Barton was a Scottish pirate, killed in a sea battle with the English in 1511.

Photo © Stuart Meek - CCL

Embleton Links Wooden Bungalows...

Sitting amongst the sand dunes overlooking the splendour of Embleton Bay are about 40 wooden beach bungalows.

Golfers wishing to stay in the area constructed these bungalows during the 1930's.

Sir Ivan Sutherland then owned the land and at a later date Sir Ivan gave the land, including the golf course and the bungalows to the National Trust.

In 1962, the Trust granted a 40-year lease for the bungalows and the golf course.

Later, in 2002, the Trust agreed to a further series of leases allowing the bungalows to remain until 2032.

Established in 1962, the Embleton Links Bungalow Owners Association (ELBOA) was formed in order to preserve and protect the amenities and natural beauty of the Embleton Links in co-operation with the National Trust.

Membership is limited to bungalow owners and their families.

Although many of the bungalows have commanding views of the Northumberland Coast, they have no mains electricity, with running water being available for part of the year only.

The beach huts are accessible by foot only, with the nearest car parking being some distance at the village of Low Newton by the Sea.

Over the years many of the bungalows have changed hands, although some are still owned by the same families who were present in 1962.

Recently, during times of financial prosperity, bungalows have been sold for prices ranging from £90,000 for a small beach hut, to in excess of £200,000 for a superior three-bedroom property.

Embleton has a variety of holiday accommodation available, including...

Hotel, Bed and Breakfast, Self Catering, and a nearby Camping and Caravan Site.

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