# Ashington

Ashington is a town in Northumberland in northeast England, 18 miles north of Newcastle. It's a former mining district and now a commuter town, with a population of 28,000 in 2021. You'd probably only go to visit family.
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea is a separate town but described here as Ashington's best attempt at a riveria. Its population of 6000 is not hugely swelled by summer visitors.

## Understand

Ashington in 1700 was just a single farmstead. It grew in the 19th century as a pit village, with labour drawn in from all over Britain and Ireland, and rows of cottages accommodating the miners. It was a compact community but by the late 20th century the coal seams were uneconomic and the industry collapsed. The colliery sites have been landscaped and the town became part of Newcastle commuter belt.
Newbiggin harbour exported grain and coal but was too shallow for modern vessels, and lacks shelter. It evolved into a seaside resort for the city.

## Get in

Newcastle (NCL) is the closest airport. Take the metro to Newcastle upon Tyne city centre for buses north.
By road from the south either follow A1 bypassing Newcastle to the west then A19 from Seaton Burn, or A19 Tyne Tunnel (toll) bypassing to the east, and avoiding the interminable road works on A1. These routes meet at Dudley where you take A189 north.
From the north take A1 to Alnwick then join A1068 winding along the coast.
Arriva Bus X22 runs from Newcastle Haymarket every 30 min, taking an hour via Gosforth and Wansbeck.
Bus X21 also runs every 30 min, taking an hour via Gosforth and Bedlington, and continuing to Wansbeck Hospital and Newbiggin.
Bus X20 runs hourly, and from Ashington continues to Widdrington, Amble, Alnmouth railway station and Alnwick.
Bus 35 runs every 20 min from Morpeth to Ashington, North Seaton and Newbiggin.
Bus 57 runs hourly from Whitley Bay, taking 70 min via Seaton Duval and Cramlington.
Bus 1 runs every 30 min from Blyth to Ashington, Wansbeck and Widdrington.
55.184-1.56861 Ashington Bus Station is north end of town by the shopping mall.
55.1824-1.57272 Ashington Railway Station has trains every 30 min from Newcastle, taking 40 min via Seaton Delaval.

## Get around

The town sprawls. Take Bus 35 between Ashington and Newbiggin.
Some half a dozen taxi firms serve the area.

## See

* 55.188-1.551 Woodhorn Museum, QE II Country Park NE63 9YF, ☏ +44 1670 624455. W-Su 10AM-4PM. Woodhorn Colliery worked 1894-1991. It's now a museum of local mining and the miners' lives. Adult £9.50, conc £8.50, child free. (updated Feb 2025)
* Woodhorn Narrow Gauge Railway (2 ft / 610 mm gauge) served the colliery and is next to the museum. In 2025 the track is being re-laid so no trains run.
* 55.1854-1.50422 Newbiggin Maritime Centre, Church Point, Newbiggin NE64 6DB, ☏ +44 1670 811951. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 11AM-4PM. Displaying the fishing life of Newbiggin, with a restored coble and lifeboat. Adult £2.50. (updated Feb 2025)
* St Bartholomew's Church, 50 yards east of the Maritime Centre, dates from the 13th century but is mostly a Victorian re-build. It's Anglican and only open for the service on Sunday 9-11:30AM.
* 55.1816-1.50883 The Couple are statues installed in 2007 on the island breakwater in Newbiggin bay. Gazing at their marooned plight from the safety of the promenade's north end are the smaller Land Couple.
* Hunkleton Stone is a cube of granite, about 6 ft / 2 m a side, midway along the bay. It's a glacial erratic, carried here many thousand years ago, which mysteriously vanished in the early 20th century. By then the hominids inhabiting these parts had grown fond of it, so it was twice re-discovered sunk beneath the sands and hauled out. Steel pins have been driven in to thwart its next bid to escape.

## Do

* Ashington Leisure Centre is just north of the bus station.
* Beach: Newbiggin bay is sandy, but the water is chilly.
* Golf: Newbiggin GC is north side of that village. White tees 6529 yards, par 72.
    Others nearby are Longhirst Hall, Morpeth, Bedlington and Blyth.
* Hike: the Coastal Trail heads north from here via Amble to the Scottish border.

## Buy

Asda supermarket is opposite the bus station on North Seaton Rd, open M-F 6AM-midnight, Sa 6AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM.

## Eat

* Shaj Tandoori at 14 Newbiggin High St is open W-M 5:30-10PM.
* Endeavour is a licensed cafe at 88 Front St Newbiggin, open daily 9AM-5PM.
* Due Fratelli at 132 Front St is open daily noon-9PM.

## Drink

* The Rohan Kanhai is a JD Wetherspoon pub next to Ashington bus station, open Su-Th 8AM-11PM, F Sa 8AM-midnight.
* Cresswell Arms at 19 High St Newbiggin is open daily noon-11PM.
* The Ink Spot at 49 Front St is open Th-Su.
* Metalhead Brewery is south near Choppington. No tours.

## Sleep

* 55.1827-1.58351 The Portland, Station Rd NE63 8HG, ☏ +44 1670 857020. Pleasant small hotel near the bus station. Double (room only) £110, parking £10. (updated Feb 2025)
* 55.1973-1.55422 Premier Inn, Queen Elizabeth Country Park NE63 9AT, ☏ +44 333 777 3672. Reliable budget chain on A189 a mile north of town. B&B double £100. (updated Feb 2025)
* 55.1866-1.50743 Queen's Head, 7 High St, Newbiggin NE64 6AT, ☏ +44 1670 817293. Pub-restaurant with rooms by the coast. B&B double £100. (updated Feb 2025)
* Captain's Lodge is a B&B at 2 Haven View Newbiggin, mid-way along the sea front.
* 55.1647-1.57924 Half Moon Inn, Stakeford NE62 5TT, ☏ +44 1670 850674. Decent rooms, mixed reviews for food and grumpy staff. B&B double £100. (updated Feb 2025)

## Connect

As of Feb 2025 Ashington, Newbiggin and their approach roads have 4G from EE, Three and Vodafone, and 5G from O2.

## Go next

* Go north along the coast for the best scenery. Amble is a small harbour near Warkworth Castle.
* Alnwick has an opulent castle often used as a film / TV location.
* Newcastle upon Tyne for big city amusements.