During World War II, defences were constructed around Druridge Bay as part of the anti-invasion preparations. The defences included scaffolding barriers and anti-tank blocks overlooked by pillboxes; behind these were minefields and an anti-tank ditch. Between the hamlets of Druridge and Cresswell, anti-glider ditches were dug and there is an extant brick-built decoy control.
The bay was the focus of a long-running campaign against proposals to construct a Pressurised Water Reactornuclear power station during the 1980s and for the large-scale extraction of sand from the area in the 1990s. The first campaign, along with changes in UK Government policy on nuclear power, prevented the power station from being built: the plan was shelved in 1989. The land was retained by Nuclear Electric and in February 1996 was allocated to the NDA/BNFL. In November 1996 the NDA/BNFL sold the land to farmers.
Proposed coal mine
Druridge Bay again became the focus for environmental concerns in late 2015, when a planning application was submitted by Banks Group for an open-cast mine extending to 360 hectares immediately to the west of the beach, for the extraction of 3 million tonnes of coal. Six weeks after the application was submitted the UK government announced that all coal-fired energy generation would cease by 2025. Over 1800 letters of objection were received. Northumberland County Council approved plans for the open-cast mine in July 2016. In September 2016, the plans were put on hold subject to a government inquiry. In March 2018, the proposal was formally rejected by the Communities Secretary Sajid Javid. The company behind the project said they were planning to formally challenge the decision in the High Court.
Wildlife
purchased the sand extraction site from RMC Group in 2006. The shore is known for populations of birds including the golden plover and the purple sandpiper. Druridge Bay is best known to birdwatchers for hosting, in 1998, the Druridge Bay curlew, a controversial bird which was eventually accepted as the first record of a slender-billed curlew in Britain, although this identification is still disputed by some.
Naturism
Druridge Bay is also used by naturists. The North EastSkinny Dip, first held in 2012, is an annual event to raise funds for MIND, the mental health charity. It is held around the time of the Autumn Equinox in late September each year.
