Bamburgh Dunes

Bamburgh Dunes is a protected coastal site in Northumberland featuring an expanse of sand dunes shaped by parallel ridges and seasonal wetlands. The landscape displays varied terrain with hummocks and hollows that create distinct zones across the site.

Excavations in the 1990s uncovered Anglo-Saxon remains in the southeastern section, indicating that people lived in the dunes over 1,000 years ago. These discoveries suggest the site has been significant to the region for many centuries.

The dunes are shaped by traditional grazing that keeps the landscape open and diverse. This ongoing care, managed together with conservation organizations, supports the many plant and animal habitats found here.

Access to the dunes is provided through stiles and gates along main footpaths that are easy to navigate on foot. Keep in mind that livestock fencing restricts entry to certain areas to protect the natural environment.

The site is home to an exceptional range of creatures, including over 500 insect species and a rare plant called petalwort that survives in only a few locations worldwide. This biological richness makes the dunes a refuge for species found nowhere else nearby.

Location: Northumberland

GPS coordinates: 55.60800,-1.70300

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:23