Summer Walk No 2, Cambois & Wansbeck Estuary - Tuesday 24th June 2025.
On Tuesday 24th June 2025, Morpeth Camera Club held the second walk of its summer programme at the coastal
village of Cambois. Members parked on the grass verge, and we gathered near Charlton's Bar & Restaurant before
heading north towards the river. After a short distance, we turned west and joined the English Coastal Path. This
footpath runs along the south side of the river, offering picturesque views of the Wansbeck Estuary.
Our route took us beneath the main spine road bridge and down to the Wansbeck Barrage. Constructed in 1975,
the barrage was part of a significant regeneration project following the dismantling of heavy industry in the area.
It created a locked navigable inland waterway and an artificial lake that is four kilometres long, along with three
miles of riverside country park, located to the south of Ashington and North Seaton.
Members crossed the barrage, climbed the north bank of the river, and walked through a small woodland to view
Sweetheart Wings. This artwork, created by Simon Watkinson, depicted wartime aircraft carved in stone. However,
over the years, the brass aeroplanes have been removed, leaving only their impressions. Moving on, we recrossed
the river via the spine road bridge and rejoined the pathway to Cambois.
We then walked towards the boatyard and down to the beach, with views of the river mouth as it met the sea.
Looking north towards Newbiggin and South towards Blyth, the outgoing tide had left a large expanse of sand as
we took our last images on a fine evening. We then made our way around the headland and back to our vehicles
to complete our second summer walk. Thank you to the sixteen who attended, making it an enjoyable evening.
Davy.
village of Cambois. Members parked on the grass verge, and we gathered near Charlton's Bar & Restaurant before
heading north towards the river. After a short distance, we turned west and joined the English Coastal Path. This
footpath runs along the south side of the river, offering picturesque views of the Wansbeck Estuary.
Our route took us beneath the main spine road bridge and down to the Wansbeck Barrage. Constructed in 1975,
the barrage was part of a significant regeneration project following the dismantling of heavy industry in the area.
It created a locked navigable inland waterway and an artificial lake that is four kilometres long, along with three
miles of riverside country park, located to the south of Ashington and North Seaton.
Members crossed the barrage, climbed the north bank of the river, and walked through a small woodland to view
Sweetheart Wings. This artwork, created by Simon Watkinson, depicted wartime aircraft carved in stone. However,
over the years, the brass aeroplanes have been removed, leaving only their impressions. Moving on, we recrossed
the river via the spine road bridge and rejoined the pathway to Cambois.
We then walked towards the boatyard and down to the beach, with views of the river mouth as it met the sea.
Looking north towards Newbiggin and South towards Blyth, the outgoing tide had left a large expanse of sand as
we took our last images on a fine evening. We then made our way around the headland and back to our vehicles
to complete our second summer walk. Thank you to the sixteen who attended, making it an enjoyable evening.
Davy.