5 beautiful North East beaches where you can escape the crowds

From hidden coves on the Durham coast to wide, remote sands in Northumberland, the region has a scattering of under-the-radar beaches where visitors can enjoy fresh sea air, long walks and a far more peaceful atmosphere than at the busier seaside favourites.

Hawthorn Hive

Hawthorn Hive on the Durham Heritage Coast is one of the region’s best hidden spots. It has a rugged, secluded feel that makes it popular with walkers and photographers rather than crowds of day-trippers.

One visitor described the wider coastal walk to Hawthorn Hive as “a cracking walk with lots of variety and interest,” while another said the views along the cliffs were “some of my favourite views on the County Durham coast.”

Easington Beach

Easington Beach in County Durham offers a more open, understated seaside experience.

It suits longer walks and quiet visits, with visitors tending to favour it for the space and the natural setting rather than any resort-style facilities.

The wider East Durham coast is often praised for its “scenic and atmospheric feel”, giving this stretch of shoreline a “quiet charm”.

For people looking for a low-key escape to the coast, it is an easy place to spend a slow afternoon.

Horden Beach

Horden Beach has a similarly relaxed atmosphere and remains one of the less obvious choices for a North East beach day.

It does not have the polish of some better-known seaside destinations, according to visitors, but that is part of its appeal for visitors who prefer somewhere simple and uncrowded.

It is the kind of beach that works best for a peaceful wander rather than a packed family day out.

That local, stripped-back feel gives it a quieter character that many visitors are looking for, or that’s what people online are saying.

Gordon’s Bay

Gordon’s Bay in South Shields is a tiny, hidden cove that feels well away from the busier beach spots, per reviews on TripAdvisor.

It is best enjoyed as part of a coastal walk, offering a secluded alternative to the main seaside areas nearby.

By contrast, Seaburn is one of the region’s better-known beaches, with one visitor calling the promenade and sands “wonderful for walking along with tremendous views.”

Another review said it was “very good” and added, “It will be better once Seaburn gets finished.”

Gordon’s Bay offers the quieter side of that same stretch of coast, making it a good choice for people who prefer tucked-away spots to the more obvious seaside stops.

Ross Back Sands

Ross Back Sands in Northumberland may be the most remote-feeling of the five.

Visitor reviews repeatedly describe it as “peaceful and beautiful”, with one reviewer saying, “This beach is stunning; I’ve been many times and never encountered more than a few people here.”

Another said, “Absolutely brilliant. Apart from the sound of the sea, it is peace itself.”

Near Bamburgh, it has broad sands, big skies and a strong sense of solitude, making it a favourite with walkers and birdwatchers.