EMBLETON

The distinctive ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle are still clearly visible from the lovely bay at Embleton. Embleton has had a turbulent history, especially during the Wars Of The Roses which took place largely during the latter part of the 15th century, during which the village was attacked by Scottish invaders. A bit later in 1511, the Scottish High Admiral Andrew Barton was cruising this part of the British coast chasing after the Portuguese when his vessel was captured, and he was subsequently beheaded according to some reports, other claiming that he was killed in battle. There is a lump of sandstone in Embleton Bay known as the “Vanishing Rock”, so called because it disappears and reappears according to the vagaries of the tides. The rock has the name “Andra Barton” chiselled into it, along with others.

Embleton has a wonderful sandy beach backed by dunes, all set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A walk along the coastal path towards the south takes you past forty-odd wooden huts or beach bungalows. These were built in the 1930s by golfers so intent on getting the maximum amount of play in during their visit that they could not bear to be parted from the golfcourse. It is easy to see why they were so attached to this place. There can be few golfcourses enjoying a more stunning geographical position or more beautiful coastal views than the Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club.

Map of the area.

Embleton Beach - geograph.org.uk - 36579. Photo by Christine Westerback, via Wikimedia Commons.