Coastal path now on DVD

Nov 15 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

THE Northumberland coast has been the beat of film-maker Keith Hartnell for the last 50 years.

So the 50th anniversary of the Northumberland Coast AONB was the perfect time for Keith’s Castlecross Productions to make a DVD of the 64-mile coastal path from Cresswell to Berwick, which opened two years ago.

The Northumberland Coast Path DVD was made for Blagdon-based Northern Heritage, which Keith set up 20 years ago and which is now owned and run by his son Chris.

“Since childhood I have spent a lot of time up and down the Northumberland coast,” says Keith, who lives in Longhorsley and whose favourite spot is Rumbling Kern at Howick.

He strides the coastal path in the DVD but he also featured on his father’s cine film at the coast 48 years ago.

“Although the coastal path is 64 miles I must have walked 640 miles during the making of the DVD, but it was a labour of love,” says Keith, whose Castlecross venture also makes commercial films and web videos.

“Unlike other parts of Britain, the Northumberland coast has retained its character and charm.

“It is not overdeveloped and local people genuinely welcome visitors.

“The coast changes endlessly and the coastal path had made the area even more accessible.”

The DVD costs £14.99 from Northern Heritage, which specialises in books and DVDs on the landscape, history and heritage of the North.