A "beautiful beach" along the Northumberland coast has been named the best in the north of England.
Alnmouth was named as Time Out’s best beach in Northern England thanks to its "pristine sand" and "excellent birdwatching."
Alnmouth’s beach is a wide sandy bay at the mouth of the River Aln with a pretty village close by.
Compared to the busy Scarborough and Whitby, Alnmouth rarely gets busy and is a great place for a long autumnal walk.
What is Alnmouth beach like?
On the beach, Time Out said: "Time Out contributor Amy Houghton remarked that ‘lots of beaches around the country ban dogs or require them to be on leads during the sunniest months of the year, which is obviously pretty limiting for mutt owners.
"Not Alnmouth.
"Here you can watch your pooch frolic in the sea and sand to their heart’s content year-round.
"There’s plenty here for humans, too, coffee shops, pubs and restaurants included.
"The Old School Gallery serves al fresco pizza, while Bistro 23 is the place for fresh seafood and a glass of vino.
"The beach is also home to a diverse population of birds, making it the perfect perch for a spot of ornithology."
As well as enjoying the beach, the village and countryside is a part of the Northumberland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making it a nice place for bird watching and spotting wildlife.
The village is home to a range of places to eat, including Nanna Pats Café and Bistro for a homely meal and the Red Lion Inn, which is an 18th-century coaching inn and pub.
The pub offers a “rotating selection of delightful beers” and cocktails for the summer.
In terms of its food, the pub has a wood-fired pizza menu with classic options such as plain margheritas and pepperoni to a Mexican chilli beef pizza.
If you want to extend your stay in the village, there are loads of hotels and B&Bs for a relaxing long weekend.
What do reviews say about Alnmouth beach?
On Tripadvisor, Alnmouth beach has a 4.7 out of five rating with some going as far as to say it is the "most beautiful beach."
One reviewer said: "I love Alnmouth beach, I used to come here regularly with my mother as a child for beach walks, chips and ice-creams, so a stroll back down memory lane with the better half and the dogs.
"It hasn’t changed too much, it’s still a very pleasant place."
Another person said: "The beach is beautiful and clean, with proper sand (not rocky).
"The car park was £3.50 for the day (or part thereof) and is close enough to take all your chairs and picnic stuff.
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"The town, within a mile has a few cafes and pubs and public toilets.
"Marvellous day spent."
What is your favourite thing about Alnmouth beach? Let us know in the comments.
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