Come to Northumberland this summer to celebrate all things maritime. 

Northumberland's first ever 'Festival of the Coast' takes place this summer celebrating the county's spectacular 64 miles of coastline, and at its centrepiece will be the arrival of a fleet of Tall Ships sailing in for the UK's only Tall Ships Regatta in 2016.  

This maritime celebration takes place during the 60th anniversary of Tall Ships races, and up to 30 magnificent Tall Ships will be on show at the port of Blyth in South East Northumberland over the August bank holiday weekend. It is the largest event to take place in Northumberland, one of the UK's top tourism destinations, with approximately half a million people expected to come to the county to catch a glimpse of some of the world's most majestic Class A ships.  

The four-day Regatta festival will feature 1.5 miles of free family entertainment including theatre, music, parades and fireworks. The event will end with a race from the Northumberland coast to Gothenburg, Sweden. 

The 'Festival of the Coast' will showcase the entire Northumberland coastline, from Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north to Seaton Delaval in the south. 

Our coastline is often cited as one of the jewels in Northumberland's crown, thanks to the dramatic and beautiful scenery at spots such as Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island. Sandy beaches adorn much of the North Sea coast alongside broad headlands and wide river estuaries, and the stunning scenery in Northumberland has been used as the backdrop to many films.

The south east of Northumberland, known for its industrial heritage and history of fishing and seafaring, has been revitalised for leisure and is just waiting to be explored. Extending from the River Coquet at the seaside town of Amble in the north to Blyth in the south, there are some wonderful seaside viewpoints and stop-offs along this part of the coast.

For example, Amble recently beat the likes of Bognor Regis and Prestatyn to win the Coastal Community category of The Great British High Street Awards. It also boasts views of the magnificent Warkworth Castle.  

Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, a former mining village, is reinventing itself as a tourist destination, drawing in new and old visitors to its unspoiled bay and sandy beaches.

Its Maritime Centre is a family-oriented attraction telling the history of the community's maritime past. It is in a fabulous spot right next to the beach, with views to the longest promenade in Northumberland and the offshore sculpture 'Couple'.  The UK's oldest operational boathouse lifeboat station is nearby and St. Bartholomew's Church is situated on the headland known as 'Church Point'.

Magnificent beach walks abound on the North Sea coast such as Druridge Bay, and there are some tasty food and drink stops to keep you going from the Blyth Boathouse Restaurant and Drift Cafe at Cresswell to the Sea Salt Café and the Old Boat House Bistro in the up-and-coming foodie port of Amble.

The Festival of the Coast runs throughout the summer and The North Sea Tall Ships Regatta takes place at Blyth from Friday 26 to Monday 29 August. Events include music festivals, seaside fun days, volcano and raft race events, duck races, wildlife walks and talks and a Chilli Festival.

The Tall Ships Regatta will feature four stages, including a traditional bandstand beside the beach with brass bands for that traditional seaside atmosphere. One of the weekend's musical highlights will be a tribute to Northumbrian Tommy Edmondson who recorded The Trumpet Hornpipe, otherwise known as the theme tune to Captain Pugwash.

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If you would like to feature the Tall Ships Regatta 2016 or wish to arrange a medis visit to Northumberland to cover the event, please contact Carl Stiansen - e: carl.stiansen@northumberland.gov.uk or t: 01670 622414 

For more information about the North Sea Tall Ships Regatta Blyth 2016, visit: http://www.tallshipsblyth2016.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tallshipsblyth2016 and Twitter: @TallShipsBlyth

More information about the 'Festival of the Coast' can be found at http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/coastfest