Embleton, Northumberland

Community Guide

Welcome to the Embleton (Northumberland) Community Guide website

The parish of Embleton lies at the southern end of the North Northumberland Coastal Plain and almost all of the population live in the villages of Embleton and Christon Bank.

The coastal plain is underlain by limestone, shale and sandstone with near horizontal sheets of dense black rock, created by volcanic action, intruding into them.

These sheets are known as the Whin Sill and, whilst the carboniferous sandstones and shale are prone to weathering, whinstone is resistant to erosion.

The area is therefore characterised by outcrops of black rock and buildings constructed of the very dark, hard, whinstone. Inland the flat landscape is broken by plantations of evergreen and deciduous trees, planted as shelter belts and game cover, interwoven with streams and footpaths.

Embleton village is separated from the sea and sandy beach by grassy sand dunes, fields and golf links. The coastal strip is owned by the National Trust and forms part of the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Neighbouring villages are: to the north Newton by the Sea, to the west Rock and Rennington and to the south Craster.

Embleton parish occupies approximately 5,700 acres (8.9 square miles) and extends almost 3.5 miles inland from the coast. In the north east corner is a nature reserve pool, with hide, where migratory birds can be observed.

The main east coast railway line runs through Christon Bank, a mile and a quarter west of Embleton village, and the A1 is two and a half miles further west. Embleton is 7 miles north east of Alnwick, 40 miles north of Newcastle and about 28 miles from the Scottish border.

There are approximately 450 dwellings within the villages of Embleton and Christon Bank and, although over 28% of these are second homes or holiday lets, some 680 people live in the villages.

Historically Embleton was connected with Dunstanburgh Castle even though this was not within the parish. The link is now both cultural and visual since the castle enhances the views from many points within the village and plays a major role in the tourist economy of the area.

Tourism has become a major factor for Embleton as visitors return again and again to enjoy the magnificent beaches, stunning walks along the coast and through the countryside and many other attractions.

In 2013 the hamlet of Dunstan Steads was transferred from Craster Parish to Embleton Parish.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

These pages contain useful information about the local area which we hope will be helpful to residents, old and new as well as visitors to our parish ........

VISITOR INFORMATION

Useful information about the local facilities, accommodation, transport and leisure activities for people visiting the area .........

HISTORY

An Embleton settlement is known from circa 1150 when it was the centre of the barony of Embleton. The name Embleton is old English in origin ........

PARISH COUNCIL

The Embleton Parish includes Embleton, Christon Bank and Dunstan Steads within its Parish Boundaries.

PUBLICATIONS