Goswick Observation Towers

Goswick Sands is a vast beach when the tide is out and the RAF at nearby Millfield took full advantage of this remote part of Northumberland for fighter pilot training from 1942-1946. The beach saw action from cannon fire, bullets and rockets, which were fired at redundant military vehicles for target practice. Typhoon and Tempest aircraft (known as 'fighter-bombers') were used at Goswick during ground attack training and the observation tower was adapted to watch over the exercises.

Around 2.5km away, there is a second tower, though this one is on private land and can only be seen from the coastal path. You can find this one at ///lanes.battle.ghost

The tower closer to the car park is well hidden in the dunes and is quite an imposing structure. There's nothing to say you can't enter, but maybe err on the side of caution. There are signs all over, however, telling you that the area was a former military target area and a rather stark warning that reads: 'Do not touch or pick up any metallic objects, they may explode and kill you'. So that's worth bearing in mind.

Goswick Sands is absolutely beautiful and there wasn't another soul on the vast beach when we visited. It is apparently home to two shipwrecks too, but it was like trying to find a needle in a haystack, so that's maybe one for another day!