How to Get to Rumbling Kern in Northumberland

Rumbling Kern in Northumberland is a hidden cove on the Northeastern coast of England. If you weren’t looking for it… you wouldn’t find it.

During high tide, the waves crash over the jagged rocks and into surrounding cliffs, and during low tide, the beach is revealed with its rocky landscape and tidal pools.

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Rumbling Kern – England’s Best-Kept Secret

This is a great sunrise location, but also a great picnic location (make sure you take your trash with you!) and a place to hang out for half a day. You can explore and scramble over the landscape, or just chill on the beachy area.

This beach is a photographer’s DREAM!

History of Rumbling Kern

Rumbling Kern was a favored location of Charles the 2nd Earl Grey.

And if that name is familiar to you, it’s because he has a tea named after him. Most likely of Chinese origin and a favorite of the Earl, it gained popularity in the 1800s (I assume mainly thanks to Lady Grey sharing her husband’s blend while entertaining guests).

A bathing house was built in the early 19th century specifically for him and his massive family (16 children, what?!) to enjoy. You can’t visit the bathing house (only admire it from the outside), however, you can stay in the bathing house! It’s not cheap AND it’s pretty much booked up through 2024!!

The beach itself gets its name from a hole in the rocks that rumbles as the waves crash through it during high tide.

How to Get to Rumbling Kern

SAT NAV POSTCODE: NE66 3LH

The craziest thing about Rumbling Kern is you can type it into Google Maps and it doesn’t recognize the location! That’s how much of a secret it is. You’re not going to find it on Google Maps!

Rumbling Kern is south of Craster and right next to Howick, however, you will need to park up and walk down to the cove.

Be careful not to pass the parking area (it will be on your left side as soon as you get on the road to the farm). It’s NOT a car park. It’s just a strip of gravel that borders the farm’s fence.

Parking is free! BUT spaces are limited! Get there early to avoid disappointment

Walking Down to Rumbling Kern

Once you are parked, there is a gate to the left of the parking area. Follow the gravel path down to the coastline. It’s a super easy 7-10 minute walk to get there!

The farm will be on your right and you’ll see the Bathing House in the distance poking above the tall grass. (There are also some super friendly cows hanging their heads over the fence).

When you reach the coastline, Rumbling Kern is directly in front of you.

Take the path on the right and then keep to the left at the fork (see picture below). This is the path that leads directly to the beach!

paths on the way down to a northumberland beach

Exploring Rumbling Kern

It’s not a steep or strenuous walk down, making it perfect for families or people who have issues with walking or hiking long distances.

This sandy area is the only area that is not affected by high tide and since it’s sheltered from the sometimes harsh Northumberland winds, it’s the perfect place to perch yourself ALL DAY!

The North Sea pours into the left side and back side of the cove.

During low tide, the sea will come right up to the beach if you want to paddle in the chilly waters and if you are exploring the rocks in that area during low tide make sure you are careful, the seaweed makes it extra slippery!

If you’re not the beach lounging type… don’t worry – you can spend hours just walking around and exploring! And if you bring the little ones there are TONS of rock pools for hours of family fun.

How to Get to the Backside of the Cove

As soon as you enter Rumbling Kern, you’ll see a big rock wall. You’ll need to climb over it to get to the back side of the cove.

THERE IS NO OTHER WAY.

The easiest way up is to climb onto the small ledge and then scramble up to the top. (See picture below).

Be careful walking around up here. The rocks are uneven and some are even slippery.

If you walk to the right, you’ll see the “rumbling kern” and if you visit when the tide is higher be careful – this is NOT a tidal pool so don’t try to paddle or swim in it! It’s VERY deep when full and the water is fed through a large tunnel in the rocks and I’m pretty sure you can easily get sucked through it.

Right in front of you is the North Sea and a great place to dip your toesies in the water! If there was one place in England that made you feel like there was no other person in the whole country… it would be here.

In this spot, it is just you and the horizon.

If you continue walking left and climb up to the next level, there’s a cozy tidal pool surrounded by raised rocks, making it the perfect lounging pool. If I spent all day here, this is where I would park myself.

OR you can climb up the hill and get a bird’s eye view of the entire cove. Definitely magical.