Fishing at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea

Beach / Rock markNorthumberland🐾 Seasonal daytime dog ban★☆☆ family

A big sandy bay flanked by rock marks — Downovers, Church Point and the East End Pipe are the named winter cod-and-whiting spots, with flounder and bass turning up off the open beach.

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What you can catch → Full fish guide

Species	Season	Method
Cod (Atlantic Cod)	Oct–Feb	Bottom fished worm/crab off the rock marks at Downovers and Church Point
Whiting	Oct–Feb	Bottom fished worm baits
Flounder	Autumn–Winter	Light leger tackle over the sand
Bass	Jun–Sep	Lures or peeler crab off the open beach

Tactics

The rock marks at Downovers, Church Point and the East End Pipe give the best winter cod, whiting and flounder fishing on worm and crab baits fished hard on the bottom. The open sandy bay itself is better fished for bass and flatfish through the warmer months on lighter gear. Check the tide carefully around the rock marks as some are cut off at high water.

Best tide: Rising tide up to high water · Best time: Autumn/winter for cod, whiting and flounder; summer for bass

Dogs

Northumberland County Council's PSPO bans dogs from 1 May to 30 September on the section of beach from the breakwater at Church Point to the promenade access at Sidney Crescent; the south end of the bay and full promenade remain dog-friendly year-round.

Official source: View the rule at source →

Access & parking

Park at the seafront car parks off Promenade/Church Point, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, and walk onto the beach or rock marks. Sat-nav: NE64 6DS.Get directions → Family rating: ★☆☆ — Large, gently sloping sandy bay is good for families, though the rock marks at either end need care with young children.

FAQs

Is Newbiggin beach dog friendly?

Partially — dogs are banned 1 May–30 September on the stretch from Church Point breakwater to Sidney Crescent, but allowed on the south end of the bay and the promenade year-round.

What rock marks are best at Newbiggin?

Downovers, Church Point and the East End Pipe are the named winter marks for cod, whiting and flounder.

Nearby marks

Blyth South Harbour · Cullercoats Bay · Tynemouth Longsands

Last updated 16 July 2026 — sources & disclaimer

Compiled from angling guides, forums and the relevant council's dog byelaws, cross-checked where possible.

Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.