Where to stay in...
The hamlet of Waren Mill and the surrounding area are steeped in history, once an important port, given its charter in the 13th century by King Henry III.
The once busy harbour has long since disappeared, silted up beneath the sands of the estuary.
A water-powered corn mill existed at Waren Mill in 1187, with most of the present mill building dating from the 1780.
The long disused original corn mill where Waren Mill got its name, and old warehouses overlooking the bay have in recent years been converted into luxury loft apartments.
During the 18th and 19th centuries the demand for lime to improve agriculture in Britain rose rapidly.
There also developed a coastal trade with ships carrying burned lime to a range of destinations from larger banks of kilns situated at suitable harbours, where an example showing the remains of limekilns can be seen close to Budle Bay.
Budle Bay © Joan Sykes - CCL
The Mill at Waren Mill © Les Hull - CCL
Spindlestone Duckett (Dovecote) © Tom Richardson - CCL
Budle Bay is a bird sanctuary and at low tide a vast expanse of mud flats is the home to countless thousands of sea and land birds.
A haven for birdwatchers, this coastal area is a popular haunt of birdwatchers and naturalists in all seasons, with the winter months being particularly particular.
Photo © Andrew Curtis - CCL
Ramblers have available several fascinating walks in the immediate area, both on the coast and inland, each with beautiful scenery on every side.
A number of excellent books and guides have been written on the subject, the best of which allow planning a suitable route.
Photo © Oliver Dixon - CCL
The walker can follow the coast to Budle Point, the southern entrance to Budle Bay, at low tide it appears east to walk across the narrow neck of shallow-looking water to the northern point but beware, it is highly dangerous and several lives have been lost in the attempt.
The five mile walk around the bay is both pleasant and interesting.
An excellent place for a short ramble is the tree-lined crags known as Spindlestone Heughs,
just south of Waren Mill.
The Spindlestone itself, a pillar of whinstone, is associated with the story of the 'Laidley Worm', a ballad of the 13th or 14th century.
From these crags to the coast, the country is criss-crossed with footpaths ideally suited for pleasant short walks, allowing the family to enjoy a breath of fresh air coupled with spectacular scenery.
Photo © Oliver Dixon - CCL
Waren Mill has a wide variety of holiday accommodation available, including...
Hotel, Bed and Breakfast, Self Catering, Camping and Caravan Site, and more recently Wooden Wigwams.
Useful Links...
- Location Map of Waren Mill
- Local Weather Guide - Waren Mill
- Local Newspaper Online - The Northumberland Gazette
- Budle Bay - Fullscreen Panorama
- Coast and Castles Cycle Route
- Good Beach Guide 2010
- KA Kitesurfing - Kitesurfing on the Northumberland Coast
- Visit Northumberland - The official visitor guide to Northumberland
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