BOAC

THE BOLDON OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES CLUB

 
 

Alnwick to Craster via Lensbury and Boulmer

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Date 12/11/06
Leader: Russell S
Distance: 13.5 miles
Weather: Mainly fine, no rain.
Walkers 14
Parking: N/A
Map: Ordnance Survey OL
   

Route Summary - Alnwick, Lensbury, Boulmer, Craster.

 

Syd taking a photo of the castle.

We headed north, passing Alnwick Castle, and then walked over the Lion Bridge to cross the river Aln joining a footpath immediately after the bridge on our right. We had great views of the castle here across the River.

 

We followed the footpath, the river never far away from us on our right, until after about 3 miles, just after Gozells Hill we met up with the A1068. Here we turned left then soon right again then just after Snelly Hill we joined a footpath close to the banks of the river.

Just before the railway line in an area called The Retreat we decided to leave the right of way for a while to avoid a marshy area near the river. We then walked alongside the main road into Lensbury. Near the church we joined a path to our right which took us again close to the river then on to Foxton Hall, the golf course club house, to the beach.

We then followed the coastline north through to Boulmer, initially on the beach then high up on the cliff tops. We were making good time so we popped into the Fishing Boat Inn pub to sample some Farne Isle Ale.

Boulmer along with Spittal, Bamburgh, Beadnell, and many others along the Northumberland Coast was notorious in 18th and early 19th centuries as a haven for smuggling. Smugglers came from all over Northumberland and the Scottish Borders to Boulmer, their headquarters being the infamous Fishing Boat Inn. Contraband was landed on the beach, the illicit goods included Scotch whisky, gin from the Netherlands, tobacco and salt.

 

After leaving the pub we passed some interesting metal bird sculptures then stopped for a coffee break at some beach huts. Some of the huts were rather dilapidated but we sat on the decking of a decidedly superior looking version.
Margaret and "The Good Tern"

Soon we met up with Mick's group on the path above the cliffs. From here we continued on to Craster where we met up with all the other groups at the Jolly Fisherman.