Amble's Attractions and Things To Do
Amble is a Fishing Town, so as you might expect a lot of the things to do are based around it's Marina and Harbour. Fishing, boat trips, watersports and sailing are all things Amble is perfectly appointed for. Amble has more to offer than just watersports alone, the Northumberland Coast Area of Natural Beauty Starts at the mouth of the Coquet and runs all the way North up the Coast to Berwick-Upon-Tweed. This stretch of coast is famous for it's beauty and also as a wildlife haven of marked importance.
Fishing
Fishing from Amble can be highly rewarding and the Amble Angling Centre (on Newburgh Street) is a good place to start. Owners Tony and Norma Urwin have an incredible knowledge of fishing and have won many competitions themselves. Their stock caters for both seawater and saltwater fishermen and they are the first calling point for many local angling clubs. The most common fish caught from Amble and the surrounding area, including the Coquet Island, in the season is cod. Fishing Boats can be chartered from the harbour, including the Warlord, Natalie Kristen, Amble Boat Charter and Serenity. Serenity Sea Charters also run an annual competition for the heaviest fish caught on the hard ground, information can be found on their website. Mackerel Trips are very popular during the Mackerel season from June to September, which are run in the evenings by Jeff on the Warlord and also on Serenity.
Boats can also be chartered from Amble for many other reasons including diving, sightseeing and wildlife cruises. The company Amble Boat Charter can be used for any of these reasons as well as fishing.
Amble MarinaThe Marina at Amble is a family run business the provides over 250 visitor berths for yachts, motor cruisers and fishing boats. Facilities at the marina include the marina office, toilet and shower block and a reception area for visitors to report to on arrival. There is also a laundry room with washer, dryer and ironing facilities and a recycling centre. The marina is also home to the Coquet Yacht Club who offer a cruising, racing and social program for all it's members of any age. Visit their website for more information including berthing prices.
Coquet Island
Coquet Island is located one mile south east of the river mouth at Amble, it is an RSPB designated 'site of special scientific interest' and offers a home to more than 35,000 nesting birds in summer including terns and puffins. The island is also known for its seal colony (up to 600 in early summer). Boat trips to the island run from the harbour in Amble (discounts available for RSPB members) and these trips are highly recommended. The boat trip to the island is relatively quick and the sea is usually calm in this stretch. If you don't have 'sea legs' you can experience the island by visiting the Northumberland Seabird Centre and take control of the cameras on the lighthouse on the island yourself!
Throughout history Coquet Island was a popular retreat in the time of St. Cuthbert. It belonged to the Earl of Warwick following the dissolution of the monasteries, later it passed to the Widdringtons, who sold it to the Duke of Northumberland. Sandstone was quarried there early in the seventeenth century, and the quality was such that it supposed to have been recommended to an earlier Earl of Northumberland for repairs to his London home, Syon House.
Dave Gray has been running Puffin Cruises from the steps of Amble Harbour for over 40 years. Their trips last about an hour and sail around Coquet Island viewing the rich sea life. Visit their website for further information.
Watersports
Amble's coastal location makes it perfect for a variety of watersports including sailing, power boating, canoeing and kayaking. The Coquet Shorebase Trust is a charitable organisation based in Amble that provides watersports training and courses for anyone that is interested. They are based close to the harbour and from Amble offer courses in Powerboats, canoeing and kayaking and additionally from nearby Druridge Bay Country Park, windsurfing and sailing. On a Sunday afternoon they have 'Paddling on the Coquet Estuary' where you can enjoy a peaceful tour of the wildlife and scenery from a unique view point or opt for training at whatever level you require.
Also based in Amble are Northside Surf School who can arrange surf lessons on a number of nearby beaches including Druridge Bay and Warkworth Bay, just to the North and South of Amble. Recently opened is Northumberland's first and only Kayak and Canoe Shop, North East Kayaks and Paddles, located on Amble's Coquet Enterprise Park. They only sell the best equipment available and everything is tested by them before they sell it.
Nearby Beaches
Druridge Bay and Druridge Bay Country Park, just a few miles to the South of Amble, offers a stunning golden sandy beach and a park with a beautiful reservoir and visitors centre. The beach just to the South of Amble known as Amble Links was included in an article by The Times and was one of their top 20 Secret Beaches in the UK. A mile to the North of Amble, along the Coquet Estuary, is the beautiful Village of Warkworth. From here the beach stretches North all the way to Alnmouth offering stunning walks and miles of wide, golden, sandy beaches.
Amble GPX
Amble is rather unique in that it has it's own 'online+realworld' game called AmbleGPX. To play the game, you sign up at their website, choose a trail and start playing. You’ll be given a clue online and you have to physically visit the location to find the answer. You can answer via your smartphone or using laptops situated in various places around the town. There are videos of local people to watch and photos/points of interest which can be added to by players themselves. There is also a chance to win prizes, consisting of discounts from local cafes, shops and businesses. The game has been created by a team of local teenagers working with industry professionals.
For the Kids
To burn off some energy in safe environment or if the weather is simply awful, Amble has Castle Mania Indoor Adventure Play. Located on the Enterprise Business Park, the centre was developed for kids, has a castle theme and is so big you really can't miss it! Their three-storey adventure play frame is the biggest in Northumberland.
Have we missed something? Can you recommend an attraction, restaurant or accommodation? Or maybe you have a business you would like to be included? Let us know.