Coldingham

Scottish Borders

Coldingham Bay is a sheltered sandy beach. The sand stretches for a kilometre within the bay with rocky shore at either end of the beach. It is situated within the St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve and hermit crabs can be seen in the rock pools. Walking on the paths will provide views of the beach and the surrounding coastline. Coastal grassland on the beach supports flowers such as restharrow and butterflies such as the small copper. It is near to Coldingham Village where there are historic sites including the Priory and close to St Abbs village and harbour. At the nearby St Abbs Head national nature reserve, thousands of cliff nesting birds can be seen in Spring. RNLI lifeguards patrol the beach at Coldingham Bay during the bathing season.

History

Coldingham was established at a very early date. A monastery was founded two miles to the north in 635, open to both monks and nuns by a Northumbrian Princess called Aebbe The village grew from the 1100s until the Reformation in 1560. This was despite attacks by invading English armies in 1216, 1537 and 1547, and despite a fire raised at the priory by its own prior, William Drax, in 1430.

Natural Space

The rocky shore around the bay has much marine life with many types of sea creatures and seaweed to be found. The large area of tide pools are popular with rockpoolers. Slightly inland from the seashore is an area of dunes and grassland which provide a fragile habitat for a host of plants and animals.

Setting

The beach, which is approximately 200 metres wide, is well sheltered by headlands to the north and south (Yellow Craig Head) with rocky sections at both extremities of the sand. Coldingham Bay is situated within the St. Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve which itself is part of the Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast Special Area of Conservation.

Getting There

By Public transport - A regular bus service from Berwick -upon Tweed (where there is a railway station) and passing through Eyemouth stops at both Coldingham village and St Abbs village. The beach is 1km South of St Abbs Village on the Berwickshire Coastal path. It can also be reached by walking 1km from Coldingham village. There is an unclassified road from Coldingham Village to Coldingham Bay. There is a small Car Park adjacent to the beach and beach users walk down the short fairly steep access road to reach the beach. Disabled Access parking is available for two cars at the beach. If the beach car park is full other car parking is available in Coldingham Village (1 mile walk).

Lifeguard

RNLI Beach Lifeguard Cover is in place 28 May to 4 September 2022, 10am - 6pm. Please check safety notices before entering the water.

Water Quality Information

This beach is a designated bathing water site. Further information about water quality at this site can be found on the SEPA website. Please observe local signage and only swim where it is safe to do so.