Holidays

Beadnell - Northumberland

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Beadnells’ sweeping bay with Dunstanburgh Castle standing majestically at one end and the villages’ own lime kilns at the other has provided the perfect backdrop to many peoples’ Sunday afternoon drive. But next time you find yourself surveying this part of our Northumbrian coastline, let your imagination roam past the sand dunes to the blue sea beyond.

An underwater landscape that both surprises and captures the imagination awaits - as we find as we go diving once again. Beadnells’ shoreline offers a multitude of diving options – although most require something of an athletic walk, the sights that await are well worth the effort.

The underwater topography is just like that above the surface so providing an ideal reference throughout the dive. One of the first sites to greet you will be the remains of the MV Yewglen, which came to grief in 1960. The boiler still stands erect and a number of plates and girders lie scattered on the sea bed.

Sloping off to around eight metres, this really is a lovely location to spend a little time exploring. A multitude of colourful life forms have made their homes in and around the wreckage. It provides a beautiful watery garden of kelp, anenomes and dead mans fingers – with the obligatory resident crabs and lobsters peeking out. It seems that even the fish around here like to stop and stare at the underwater visitor that you are, nosing around their once-artificial yet now somehow completely natural homes that the Yewglen provides.

As you move away from the wreck, keeping the crevices and overhangs of the Point close at hand, be aware of the tidal currents that prevail in this area. By staying so close, you guarantee yourself not just the best dive but also the simplest way of ensuring an easier swim out and back. The Point continues for about a quarter of a mile. Explore and discover even more plants and animals (though the lobster antennae protruding from seemingly the slimmest cracks are a dead give-away in some cases). As the ledges peter out, turn and head back – where once again the wreck of the Yewglen guides you to your exit.
Beadnell Point

Climbing out on to the rocks is relatively easy and offers you the chance to take a breather while you take off your fins. Then it’s off to the car park following the same route you arrived.

Beadnell offers superb facilities not just to divers but also to other water sports and nature lovers alike with car parking, showers and boat launching close at hand – in addition to the natural gifts of the dunes, beaches and views.

As previously mentioned, Beadnells’ dive sites are numerous with many overlooked.

Other possibilities include the southern side of the point which provides a welcome and largely-undiscovered alternative to diving the Yewglen. Again, scattered wreckage lies on this side – though on a smaller scale – where the Mistley came aground. The anchor and prop shaft provide a perfect entry and exit spot from where they sit proud among the sloping rocks on the southern side above the waterline. Though on this side, it is perhaps the parallel reefs which are the focus of the dive- where more plant and animal life can be found among the reefs. Such less-dived spots in this area are home to even more inquisitive fish making interaction ever more possible.

Beadnell Point There are also the sheltered and relatively shallow Lady Hole and Knacker Hole shore diving sites, located just off the Harbour Road. Beadnell offers much to the diver here in the North East and its many sites, as described briefly here, can be stunning, atmospheric and yet relaxing in the same moment.

Beadnell makes for a perfect introduction to diving in the UK. Drop by the store if you're a certified diver interested in a PADI Discover Local Diving experience at Beadnell.

Harbour Road, Beadnell, NE67 5BW