Druridge Bay Country Park & visitor centre

Druridge Bay Country Park is a large park with a lake, woodland, visitor centre and beach just off the A1068, three miles south of Amble.

The park is situated on Druridge Bay itself, between Amble and Cresswell. The park comprises a large freshwater lake, woodland, and grassland and meadows. The park also contains three miles of beautiful beaches and sand dunes.

A network of paths allows you to explore the whole park and discover the wildlife and landscapes of Druridge Bay. A visitor centre, cafe, toilets, play area, and car parking are all available for you to make the most of your visit to the country park.

The park gates are open during daylight hours throughout the year.

There are no permit requirements to fish in the sea. Details of size limits and protected species are available from the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority.

Take a look at Druridge bay country park

Druridge Bay has an extensive history of human habitation. Mesolithic remains, early Bronze Age cemetery and artefacts, and ancient peat beds have all been found along the coast.

During the Second World War, Druridge Bay was identified as a site of potential invasion due to its ease of access from mainland Europe and its relative remoteness. Dozens of anti-tank blocks still line the beach and pill boxes can be found along the coast.

The site was the location of an opencast coal mine, one of many found in south-east Northumberland. The mine closed in 1983 with the intention to convert it to a country park for people to enjoy and as a home for wildlife. The large pit was lined and filled to create Ladyburn Lake. Planting and management over the intervening years has led to the country park becoming home to coniferous and deciduous woodland, wildflowers and waterfowl, and ecologically-rich sand dunes that line the coast.

More information about the history of the area and its present wildlife can be found in the visitor centre.

The visitor centre and cafe lies at the south-eastern edge of Ladyburn Lake, next to the main car park.

The Country Parks are operating normal opening times, toilets facilities are open as normal.

The visitor centre contains a newly refurbished Cafe, historical information centre, viewing platform, and small shop selling books, maps, and gifts. There is also a children’s play area and picnic area nearby. You can also purchase water sports permits for the Lake from here.

The main toilets and information area of the visitor centre are open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

A toilet is available 24/7, this is located on the building near the dog drinking station.

Cafe Winter Opening Times:

Day	Time
Monday	10am to 3pm
Tuesday	10am to 3pm
Wednesday	10am to 3pm
Thursday	10am to 3pm
Friday	10am to 3pm
Saturday	9am to 3.30pm
Sunday	10am to 3.30pm

Cafe Summer Opening Times

Day	Time
Monday	10am to 4.30pm
Tuesday	10am to 4.30pm
Wednesday	10am to 4.30pm
Thursday	10am to 4.30pm
Friday	10am to 4.30pm
Saturday	9am to 4.30pm
Sunday	10am to 4.30pm

At popular times, the cafe and visitor centre may be open later into the afternoon.

Druridge Bay Country Park lies just off the A1068, just three miles from Amble, providing easy access from Newcastle and south-east Northumberland.

Druridge Bay Country Park,
Red Row,
Northumberland,
NE61 5BX

Parking
There are three car parks in the park, the largest of which is found at the far end of the access road, adjacent to the visitor centre.

The following car parking charges apply:

First hour - free (please still display a ticket)
Up to two hours - £2
Over two hours - £4
An annual permit is also available for regular visitors at a cost of £50. Annual permits run from 1 July to 30 June each year.

Parking is free for Blue Badge holders, this is the case whether parked in a disabled bay or not, please display your Blue Badge

Please click here for more information about parking permits

The park gates are open during daylight hours. Please ensure that your vehicle is removed from the car park by the closing time stated on the car park notices.

Public Transport
The nearby village of Hadston is well-connected by public transport. Take the MAX X20 bus from Newcastle or Alnwick; or the MAX X18 bus from Morpeth.

Find out about bus services to the area by visiting Arriva North East

There are many paths within the park, taking you round the lake, through woodland, and along the dunes. Many of the paths are fully accessible for visitors of all abilities.

The Northumberland Coast Path and National Cycle Network Route 1 pass directly through the country park. There is also an established rights of way network connecting the park to the wider area. Cyclists and walkers are warmly welcomed to the visitor centre.

Park Run

A weekly parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9am. Please note that the park and car parks may be busy around this time.

If you are interested in putting on an event at the park please email druridgebay@northumberland.gov.uk

Events at Druridge Bay Country Park 2024

Druridge Bay regularly holds large events through out the summer. For major events, additional staff will be on duty to assist with parking.

Up and coming events taking place at Druridge Bay Country Park for the 2024

March 28 - April 14 : Easter Bunny Trail

While the easter bunny is out delivering all the eggs, their Baby Bunnies are out playing at Druridge Bay Country Park, help us find all the missing Bunnies and what they are getting up to.
Head to the visitor center and grab your free map & answer sheet, walk around the lake and try to spot all the Bunnies, each one is doing something different.
Fill in your answer as you walk around, and once completed return to the visitor center to receive your easter treat,

April 21: Northumberland Greyhound Extravaganza.

May 26 : Druridge Bay 10k & Junior Fun Run.

June 1 – 2 : Northumberland Festival of Sport, Vo2max.

June 7 – 9: Salsa Frontier 300, Focal Events.

July 26 – 28 : Dinky Dub Fest, Mighty Dub fest.

September 1: Geordieman ultra-Triathlon, Geordieman Triathlons.

September 13 – 15 : Druridge Bay Campout, Mighty Events.

September 29: Northeast Skinny Dip.

Eventbrite page to be created.

If you are planning to use the park on these days, please be prepared for delays and give yourself ample time to park.

For some of these events camping will only be avialable to event attendees.

If you require further information please email druridgebay@northumberland.gov.uk

Sailing, Canoeing, Stand up Paddle Boarding and Windsurfing are all accessable on Ladyburn Lake all year round.

Permits are required - Permits can be purchased from the Visitor Center/ Cafe, (Open everyday).

Coquet Shorebase Trust are based at Ladyburn lake and can help offer training facilities in water sports and also hire of water craft. (They do not issue permits).

Find out more information about the Coquet Shorebase Trust.

The current charges for water sports permits are:

	Day	Week	Season
Child	£5.60	£10.80	£36.00
Adult	£7.50	£14.50	£48.00
Family	£14.40	£28.00	£72.00

Fishing is not permitted in this area. Failure to purchase a watersports permit may be treated as an offence. Both could result in a fine.

Safety Information

There is no lifeguard cover on the sea or lake.
Be aware of the tides
Safety guidance on kite surfing and power kiting
The dunes may be unstable in some places due to erosion. Wartime debris such as barbed wire may be exposed.

Campsite at Druridge Bay Country Park

Update 12/12/2023

Booking now availabe for the 2024 season starting 22/3/24 please use links below

Facilities include 5 shower toilet washrooms, including disabled, kitchen area for washing dishes.

Electric is now availbe on all hardstanding, as well as on tent pitchs A - G.

Toilets & showers are also available at the main visitor center building.

Also availabe waste water disposal point, childrens play park, on site cafe/information centre, miles of countryside walks, trails and coastline, and with purchase of a permit watersports available on the lake.

Click here for Map of site

Click here for terms and conditions

To book a pitch, please follow the links below, please see terms and conditions before your stay.

Cost

£30 per night Campervan / Caravan on Hardstanding pitches 1 - 20

Tent Prices -

	Non Electric (Pitches H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P)	Electric (Pitches A, B, C, D, E, F, G)
2 Person Tent	£15	£18
4 Person Tent	£20	£23
6 Person Tent & above	£25	£28

Book

Click to Book Campervan / Caravan Pitch

Click to Book Tent Pitch

You can find information about country park byelaws here.

To view the country byelaws for Druridge Bay click here.

Drone use
Launching drones from County Council land is only allowed with the consent of the Council and where a formal license agreement has been signed. The council reserves the right to refuse consent and where consent is granted will require evidence of your Civil Aviation Training Certificate and public liability insurance.

Druridge Bay Country Park, Red Row, Northumberland, NE61 5BX

Telephone: 01670 760968
Email: druridgebay@northumberland.gov.uk

We ask that anyone wishing to bring a group, this may include School groups, Education groups, Clubs, Scouts & Cadets etc please let us know through the above contact details.

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Druridge Bay Country Park & visitor centre

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