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
The Old Ship, 63 Front Street, Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland, NE64 6HJ

The Old Ship is on the sea front in Newbiggin Bay and is an ideal stopping point whichever direction you are tackling the route. We work closely with the local Sustrans office at Ashington to organize joint activities and aim to be as cyclist and walker friendly as possible.
All accommodation has sea views, including a view of “The Couple” by Shaun Henry, the UK's only offshore sculpture. All rooms have TV, Freeview and Broadband Internet. The clipper bar provides a relaxed atmosphere in which to unwind from a day's cycling, you can eat from the bar menu and drink from a range of cask conditioned ales, lagers, wines, etc. Stay on a Tuesday and enjoy a live traditional acoustic music night. Offers day and over night secure lock-up and drying facilities.

Run by: Jackie Smith & Dennis Inglis

Tel:  01670 817231 or 07740 646205
Web: www.theoldshipnewbigginbythesea.org.uk 
Email:  theoldshipnewbiggin@gmail.com

 

Bed : from £20.
Rooms: 1T,2D,2F + overspill possibilities for groups.
Evening meal: everything under £5.
Pk lunch: £4.
Lock up.

 




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