Digital SLR Photography

Th e Lo cationGuideUsefulInformationWhere is it?TheNorthNorthumberlandcoastisinthenorth-eastofEnglandandextendsapprox 40milesbetweenAmbleatthesouthernend,andtheancientScottishbordertownofBerwick-upon-Tweed.Getting there:HeadnorthontheA1fromNewcastle-upon-TyneortaketheA19anddrivethroughtheTyneTunnel.FromAmbletoBamburghyoucanfollowthecoastonaseriesofminorroads.Ifyou’retravellingbytrain,taketheEastCoastmainlineandgetoffatAlnmouthorBamburgh.Variousairlinesalsofl yintoNewcastleairport.Gettingaround:Drivingisbyfarthebestoption.Ifyoudon’tdrive,youcouldprobablymanageusingthelocalArrivabusnetwork–the418andX18servicescoverthecoast(www.arrivabus.co.uk).Cyclingisanotheroptionifyouhavethetimeandenergy–therearesomegreatroutesincludingpurpose-builtcyclelanes.Places to eat and sleep:Forlongerstaystherearemanyself-cateringholidaycottagesforrent(www.northumbria-cottages.co.uk,http://www.coastalretreats.co.uk,www.northumberlandcottages.com).Forshorterstays,thereareB&BsandsmallhotelsinBerwick,Bamburgh,Seahouses,Embleton,Alnmouth,AlnwickandAmble.TheVictoriaHotelinBamburgh(www.strhotels.co.uk)isrecommended,ortheDunstanburghCastleHotelinEmbleton(www.dunstanburghcastlehotel.co.uk).Choiceoffo odisplentiful.HeadtoSeahousesorAmbleforfi shandchipsorinAlnwickorAlnmouthforrestaurants.Local camera shops:PDQuick,61BondgateWithin,Alnwick(01665602600)forbatteries,memorycards,printsandaccessories.There’saLondonCameraExchangeat76HighStreet,Gosforth,Newcastle(01912130060)andaJessopsattheMetroCentre,Gateshead(01914600081).``````2Nove mber2016Digital SLR Photography 27watertoo.Thisisbestcapturedlateafternoonwhenthere’snicelightonthecastle.Alnmouth is about three miles up thecoast fromWarkworth. It’s a fantasticlocation, sandwiched between the estuaryof the River Aln and a wonderful sandybeach. The estuary is idealfor sunsetsand you can capturefi shing boats againstthe sky. The long sandy beach works wellthroughout the day, but it lacksforegroundinterest, so you need low sun to emphasiseripples in the sand. Poolsof seawater left bythe retreating tide can also be used to addcompositional interest.There are stunning viewsof the village,estuary and beach from Church Hill, whichyou can see across the estuary (it hasacross on the top). Early morning is the besttime to be up there, though lateafternoonworks too.To get there, take the A1068back towardsWarkworth and a mile or sosouthof Alnmouthafter theWatersideFarmentrance, turn left onto arough track, parknear a ruined barnat the end then walk overto and up Church Hill.If time permits, detour to Alnwick (approxfour miles from Alnmouth). It’s a prettyhistoric town and it’s jewel is the stunningAlnwick Castle.Take the B6341(The Peth)out of town, parkroadside before the LionBridge, walk over the bridge, through a gateand down to the river where you get a greatview of the castle and, in calm weather, itsrefl ection. This makes a good sunrise/early``````morning shot in autumn and winter, while inlate spring and summer the castle is bathedin evening sunlight.Headingbacktothecoast,driveafewmilesnorth,stopatRumblingKernnearHowick,wherethereareinterestingrockformations–greatfordetailshotsonadullday–andHowickBathingHouse,anoldstonecottageoverlookingtheseathatmakesagoodten-stopNDsubjectbestcapturedintheafternoon.RumblingKerncanalsobeshotatsunriseinsuitableweather.AnothermileorsobringsyoutoCullernosePoint.Parkinthelaybybyafi eldentrance,thencrosstheroadandfollowthepathdowntothesea,whereyou’llfi ndbasaltcliffsandabeachofsmoothbasaltboulders.``````ALL IMAGES: LEE FROST``````3``````5 6``````4