Spectacular coastal landscape
The Northumberland Coast is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over 40 miles of coastline. Thus, there is no shortage of photography locations. This beautiful stretch of British coast encompasses everything the seascape lover could wish for: jagged rocky ledges, pebbly shores and pristine sandy beaches as far as the eye can see.
As the coast here faces east, the sunrises are sublime, with gorgeous colours reflected in the wet sand and rock pools at low tide. High tide brings the chance to capture dreamy long exposures of the waves crashing over the rocks and ledges.
Historic Castles
Northumberland is renowned for its medieval castles. The region has an incredible 70 castles, the highest of all the English counties. The most photogenic are Bamburgh Castle, Dunstanburgh Castle and Lindisfarne Castle.
Dunstanburgh, situated on a grassy cliff, bordered by the slick, polished black boulders of Embleton Beach below, and the imposing location of Bamburgh, on top of a high basalt crag overlooking a vast sandy beach edged with tall Marram grass, has made these the most photographed castles in the region.
Dreamy reflections
The beauty of this coastline lies in its tides. The difference can be up to 3 metres, meaning the landscape takes on a whole different set of features at low tide.
A causeway connects Holy Island to the mainland at low tide, and you can walk across to get photos of the lovely Lindisfarne Castle there, or shots with the water lapping over the causeway during the incoming or outgoing tide.
Additionally, as the tide ebbs or flows the low level of water across the wide sandy beaches creates some of the most dreamy mirrorlike reflections. Be sure to have your wellington boots for this, though.
Beautiful lighthouses
With over 40 miles of jagged rocks and rocky seabed, it’s no surprise to find plenty of lighthouses along the Northumberland Coast warning mariners of the dangers that lurk beneath the shallow waters.
As such, this offers some great photography opportunities. We will aim to visit a few of the best on our workshop, including the iconic lighthouse on Saint Mary’s Island at Whitley Bay.
Join me on my Northumberland photography workshop to experience an incredible few days of coastal and seascape photography.
