You may think that there is just the one beach to enjoy when you stay at Bank Top Cottage, but there are a few depending on which way your feet lead you.
Druridge Bay
The largest beach (when you look out to sea from the balcony, it's the one to your left), is the start of Druridge Bay, Northumberland.
Depending on who you ask or what map you use, the length is said to be anywhere between 7-9 miles, leading all the way North to the old fishing village of Amble and looking out towards Coquet Island & Coquet lighthouse. This beach is made up of white sand and grassy dunes scattered with the concrete blocks from WW2 that were installed to stop tank invasions.
There are pillboxes located at seemingly random points in the sand dunes. Sometimes these can be completely covered by the sand depending on how rough the recent tides have been. You may even be lucky enough to stumble upon some old shipwrecks that are only visible when the sand level is very low. It's like coming across pieces of history right under your feet!
Druridge bay, starting at Cresswell is the start of the 62 mile long Northumbrian Coastal Route. Covering the entire span of Northumberland's beautiful beaches until it ends in the south of Berwick-Upon-Tweed. The walk will take seasoned walkers 3 days to complete but it could take up to 7 days for those who would prefer to catch some of the attractions along the way.
Broadsands beach
The second stretch of beach in Cresswell isn't directly visible from the balcony; it's to the right if you're looking out to sea with Bank Top Cottage behind you. Named Broadsands beach, this is a much shorter walk as the sand tapers into ancient rocks on either end of the beach.
The rocks are walkable at low tide and house fossilised sea creatures and plants towards the south where the land ends in a cliff - this area is named Snab Point. If you're an avid hiker, you can scale the rocks (or follow the main road which is much safer!) and walk around Snab Point and to the bay even further south where you can see the Biomass plant in the distance and even further, you can see Church Point in Newbiggin-by-the-sea.
This entire area is covered in 7000 year old fossilised forest with chunks of tree trunks and roots emerging from the cliffs and sand.