Northumberland July 2020

This was a weeks holiday staying at a cottage just outside the town of Haltwhistle which is close to the best stretch of Hadrians wall.

12/7/20 Haltwhistle - Cawfields quarry

This was the first full day and we chose a walk from the cottage up to Cawfields quarry and then  a stretch of the wall.

After bout 100 yards on the road we picked up the footpath which took us to Haltwhistle burn, and the a lovely walk alongside the river up to the B6318 which follow the Roman military road.

These two horses were very curious

Haltwhistle Burn

Just before reaching the B road

After a short stretch of the road we picked up the footpath to Cawfields quarry which then led us onto a glorious section of the wall (Eastwards to Caw Gap).

Cawfields Quarry

When we reached Caw Gap there was a short section of the road before picking up the footpath to the South of the Wall heading across the fields back to the B Road. After crossing the road and a couple of hundred yards along the road we picked up the footpath on Haltwhistle Burn back to the cottage.

A brilliant hike to start the week. About 7 miles.

13/7/20 Housesteads visit (morning). Steel Rigg - Sycamore gap (evening)

It was damp and overcast today so w opted for a look around Housteads Fort. Due to the ongoing pandemic we had to book a timed visit. The fort is a well preserved example of one of the larger forts along the wall, containing barracks , commanders house , bakeries, food stores and toilets.

Unfortunately, Indidn't have my camera with me for this visit. Here is a link :-

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/housesteads-roman-fort-hadrians-wall/

and an aerial pic from the web  :-

Around 6pm the weather had improved so we set off for a short walk from Steel Rigg car park to Sycamore gap.

Along the wall to the magnificent Sycamore gap and then back via the military track south of the wall.

Another terrific short walk. Around 4 miles including the wander around the fort earlier in the day.

14/7/20 Allen Banks

Allen Banks is a National Trust property and is a fabulous walk along the River Allen. Sometimes getting close to the river but often high up the steep bank in the woods.

At one point we disturbed a roe deer in the woods, but I wasn't quick enough to get a picture !!

A lovely there and back walk. About 5 miles.

15/7/20 Housesteads - Sycamore Gap

A walk to Sycamore gap from Housesteads fort this time and return via the military track south of the wall.

Lough Crag

A lot more people at Sycamore gap today where we stopped for lunch.

Spectacular. About 6 miles.

16/7/20 Kielder Forest.

Anne wanted to drive over the border today to Jedburgh, and show me the view of the Cheviots  from the border at Carter Bar. We din't stay too long as most of the town was closed - Sccotland being a few weeks behind England in lifting Coronavirus restrictions. On the way back we took the forest road to Keilder Castle. I thought it would be a tarmac road through the forest but no - it was twelve miles of single track gravel!! It was an awsome experience to drive at a (noisy) 15 - 30 mph the beautiful forest. We did a river / forest walk when we arrived at the castle, and also stopped at the Kielder Water visitor centre on the way back.

Unfortunately I didn't have my camera today.

About 4 miles walking  in total for the day.

17/7/20 The Sill , Walltown Quarry.

Another damp , overcast day. Anne wanted to visit the Sill , which is a Northumberland visitor centre with a roof garden and a YHA attached. No dogs  allowed so I took Meg for a couple of circuits of the footpaths on the site. In the afternoon we visited Walltown quarry to the west of where we were staying and had a short walk up to the wall along the crags overlooking the quarry. Fantastic views from the top of the crags
Again no camera today.

About 2 miles

Because of the overcast weather we decided to drive back late afternoon. It was a lovely part of the country and a great taster for the Hadrians Wall LDP which I hope to attempt in the near future.