Newbiggin

Newbiggin has had a £10 million facelift, courtesy of government funding. There is a new beach (sand courtesy of Skegness) and a fine 5m high statue on looking out to sea. The mining museum and smart heritage centre are proving popular and there's a bit of a buzz about the place these days.

The town is built around a crescent-shaped bay, protected by two rocky bluffs. It is popular with sailors and golfers. Apart from the grant, the new beach and the statue, not a huge amount seems to have happened here between the Viking invasion in 875AD (when the town's name changed from South Wallerick to Neubegang) and John Braine penning Room at the Top whilst working as a librarian in the 1950s. A still point in a turning world, clearly.

If you're bypassing Newbiggin, continue past Woodhorn and the giant aluminium works, the power stations and proceed into Lynemouth. If you're overnighting in Newbiggin, retrace your steps up the B1334, or chance it on the more direct but much busier A197, which links up with the route at Woodhorn.

The towns of Ashington, Bedlington and Newbiggin make up a district called Wansbeck. The area retains a strong sense of kinship and community based on a generations of shared hardship and fear; the result of shared experience in perilous industries such as coal mining, iron production and fishing on the unforgiving North Sea. The result is a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.


Accommodation

Mary & Robert Dodds

Seaton House, Seaton Avenue, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, NE64 6UX





Tel  01670 816057

Email  marybob.dodds@googlemail.com

Rooms  2S, 1D, 1T

B&B  £25-£28

EM  Complimentary snacks. Eating places and pubs 100m

PL  £3.50

Distance from C&C  On route

VisitBritain  3-stars



Relaxed, homely
atmosphere two minutes from the seafront. Tea, hot
showers, drying facilities, secure cycle storage -
popular with cyclists, walkers and other tourists. Good
breakfasts and caters for vegetarians. "Ideal situation
for Newcastle airport, Metrolink and ferries. Handy
base for visiting everything from the Scottish Borders
to Roman forts and Alnwick Castle."









Mary & Robert Dodds

Seaton Lodge, 26 Seaton Avenue, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, NE64 6UX





Tel  01670 816057

Email  marybob.dodds@googlemail.com

Rooms  1S, 2D, 1F

B&B  £25-£28

EM  No - DIY or go the pub 100m away

PL  £3.50

Inspection  Pending

4 nights or more  £20pppn



Mary & Robert have just opened the Lodge. It provides self-catering with a continental breakfast provided. There's a sitting room, dining room, large kitchenette and shower room downstairs. Upstairs are two rooms plus a bathroom. Mary will do a deal for groups of between 4 and 7 who are staying for 4 nights or more: £20pppn. Drying facilities and secure lock-up, naturally.