Hadrian's Wall Path with Bourne Coffee Company - Day 4
Wall to Wallsend
Distance 46.7km
Thursday 30th May 2013
This was the last day and we needed to finish today. So it was a fairly early start, after packing all our kit into the car we set off and we managed a good steady pace. It was raining and quite cool as we started and the day was overcast. We walked along the road from Wall back towards the B6318. Just before the junction we turned right, east, and walked through a narrow strip wood next to the road.
We would be spending the next few miles crossing from the right hand side of the road to the left of the road, as the road followed a lot of the route of the Wall. Anyway the strip wood had a little incline that continued into the field where we passed a small section of the Wall. After the Wall we had to cross the road for the first time.
We crossed the road, following the acorn symbol and headed across another open field. It was near here we walked close by a large wooden cross and an old church. According to the guide the church commemorates a battle, that King Oswald of Northumbria, later Saint Oswald fought as an Anglo Saxon against the Celts. Although the battle took place in the 7th-century the church was not built until 1737.
Anne and David were waiting for me on the other side of the field as I had to take photos of the cross and church.
We continued east, crossing styles and gates, walking beside fields before there was a slight climb up again. The Path continues to follow the course of the Wall. It is approx. 2km from the church that the Path again crosses the road. The Path after a short distance travels through a wood and we passed trig point 268. It was along here we saw a young dead deer, what a shame, it must have been hit by a car.
After passing the trig point the Path started gently going down hill, then a little more sharper as we arrived at a major roundabout where there was a pub. This is where we thought we would have a quick stop and get a cup of tea. We should have known as you can see from the photo the sign says it was closed.
Never mind, lets carry on, we were making good time. After about another1km we came across a wide drive way and walked round a large gate way. It was only after we passed, on looking at the guide I saw we had passed a place called Halton Castle.
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| Halton Castle - shame about the pylon |
There was a slight climb as we passed Down Hill through some old earthworks. The guide now shows we are following the way of the vallum. After another 600m we cross the road again. Until we reach Halton Shields and cross back over again. Continue east along a grass path and we then climbed back up to the road and crossed the road again. There was a little detour along here which took us around a field before joining the road again. We continued about another km before reaching the Robin Hood. This time we were in luck and it was open so we had a quick rest and a cup of tea.
Feeling rested we set off again, east. After 1 1/2 km we reached the reservoir.
From the reservoir we looked right, south, and could see Walton Hall.
We soon climbed from the reservoir and reached Harlow Hill.
At Harlow Hill you could see for miles across the countryside to the south.
We continued down hill and came across a very happy looking gentleman on a junction.
Leaving our new friend behind we continued down the hill. After a couple of detours around fields and houses, we arrived at the site of Vindobala Roman Fort. According to the sign at the site a lot of artefacts have been found in the area and they ask walkers to take care where they walk.
Walking through fields near to the road, the Path turns sharply parallel to the A69 and climbs a little before crossing the A69. The Path then turns and returns to the original path as we enter Heddon on the Wall.
After about another km we stopped at the Three Tuns for a break. The guide showed we had covered nearly 15 miles. About half way what we had planned for the day. Looking at the menu we decided we would have a lunch, for fuel and to recharge our batteries, as we did not know when we stop for food again. We were making good time.
After our lunch we found the path that would take us down past Heddon Banks Farm. It was along here the guide suggests looking at the houses which are noticeable with their balconies and balustrades and we were not disappointed. Looking at their view they could see right across the Tyne Valley.
We followed the acorn symbol down hill past the site of the university and then turned down to the golf course and the new workings. David was picking up old golf balls he found in the dug up earth. Anyway the guide shows that we should be next to the river however the acorn took us down along the old dismantled railway. We flew along here for just under 2km before we were directed passed some cottages onto the banks of the Tyne.
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| Looking across the river at Ryton |
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| Newburn Bridge |
A little further on we passed the Boathouse which had carvings on the side of the wall where the water level had reached during various floods.
The Path now moves on away from the river along what appeared to be an old railway line. This took us passed Lemington and to a place called Bell Close. From here we started to climb a little again in a northerly direction.
At the top we crossed a footbridge that took us over the A1, where we could see the traffic streatching for miles. I was glad to be walking and not sitting in traffic.
The Path now heads back down hill through Denton Dene, down to Scotswood.
At the bottom we sat on a seat and had a little rest.
We continued along the old railway line down onto the main road, after a few hundred meters we again started walking along the side of the Tyne. The tide was out and it was along the initial part of this Anne spotted the Angel of the North.
It was another 2km before we got our first glimpse of the bridges. It was quite impressive walking along here towards the bridges. We had hardly seen anyone all day and now as we approached Newcastle we were walking passed other walkers, cyclists and the odd fisherman.
We stopped at a bar for a rest and a quick drink. We discussed the distance we had walked and what distance we had left to do. After our stop we started again and passed the impressive looking Fish Market.
The bridges looked impressive as we passed.
It was interesting walking the north side of the river, I have often walked the south side, looking across to the north. It made a change looking to the south.
After the quayside we moved away from the river for a short time before dropping back down to the Tyne at St Peter's. The Path then takes us again by the Tyne for the next 2km.
After about 2km we started moving north still parallel to the river but we had moved a little in land and followed what may have been another disused railway. The pace had slowed a lot as we moved along here.We could see feature's across the river that we recognised, not far to go now.
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| St Andrew's at Hebburn |
It was a very good day walking, we had covered approx. 29.1 miles (46.7km) in approx. 8.45 hrs. Excellent another walk done, all within 3.5 days, well done Anne and David, again we could not have done it without Susan driving as support. Look forward to our next walk.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The Hadrian Wall Path or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
Follow link to previous Day 3 Greenwood to Wall
Follow link to another walk along this route Jarrow to Newburn return via Newcastle
(If you want to know more about the Bourne Coffee Company previously Caer Urfa Coffee Company. Please visit them on their official website)
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