Alnmouth Beach has been crowned the best beach in the North East of England, according to a new ranking by Time Out. The beach placed eighth in the publication's list of the UK's best beaches, beating out more famous local rivals such as Bamburgh, Embleton Bay, and Beadnell Bay.
Why Alnmouth Tops the List
Time Out praised Alnmouth for its year-round dog-friendly policy, stunning estuary setting, and unspoiled natural beauty. "Lots of beaches around the country ban dogs or require them to be on leads during the sunniest months of the year, which is obviously pretty limiting for mutt owners. Not Alnmouth," the magazine noted. "Here you can watch your pooch frolic in the sea and sand to their heart’s content year-round."
Situated on the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Alnmouth Beach offers more than just canine freedom. The beach sits at the mouth of the River Aln, creating a beautiful estuary backdrop with golden sand dunes, winding river, and open sea. The historic village of Alnmouth perches on a ridge above, adding a charming human element to the view.
Quiet Charm and Wildlife
Unlike many English beaches, Alnmouth tends to stay relatively quiet even in summer, retaining a natural, unspoiled character. The estuary and dunes are rich in birdlife, including waders, wildfowl, and seabirds, making it an excellent spot for birdwatching. Seals are sometimes seen offshore. Alnmouth itself is a charming 18th-century village with colourful painted houses, good pubs, and cafés — ideal for warming up after a breezy walk on the beach. The area was once a busy grain port, and there are remains of an ancient church on the estuary.
Other North East Beaches
Northumberland boasts 82 miles of coastline with many exceptional beaches. Bamburgh Beach is regularly voted among the best in the UK, featuring vast expanses of golden sand, dramatic dunes, and iconic views of Bamburgh Castle. Embleton Bay is known for its pristine white sand and Blue Flag status, with views of Dunstanburgh Castle and proximity to the quaint village of Low Newton-by-the-Sea. Beadnell Bay is a unique horseshoe-shaped beach popular for kayaking, windsurfing, and kitesurfing, with easy parking and nearby cafes.
Top 10 UK Beaches According to Time Out
Time Out's full list of the UK's best beaches includes: 1. Traeth Llanddwyn, Anglesey; 2. Cuckmere Haven, Sussex; 3. Blackpool Sands, Devon; 4. Camusdarach Beach, Scotland; 5. Weymouth Beach, Dorset; 6. Watergate Bay, Cornwall; 7. Kynance Cove, Cornwall; 8. Alnmouth Beach, Northumberland; 9. Mwnt, Ceredigion; 10. Camber Sands, Sussex.
Alnmouth Beach is described as "wild, beautiful, and authentically Northumbrian," offering a sense of being away from it all. With its dog-friendly policy, stunning scenery, and charming village, it's no surprise that Alnmouth has claimed the top spot in the North East.
