Monday 14 March 2022

Bellingham to Wark and Return - Northumberland 8 March 2022

Bellingham to Wark and Return
Northumberland
Distance 28km Climb 200m
Tuesday 8 March 2022


Leaving the Riverdale Hall Hotel, Bellingham after a big lovely breakfast. We changed into our walking clothes and set off, turning right towards Bellingham Village. The same way we walked yesterday. Crossing at the junction we joined the B6320 and The Pennine Way. It was in March 2011 I walked through Bellingham on My Pennine Way

After a few meters we were on High Street, walking passed the Black Bull. 


You can see how windy it is today compared with yesterday's walk to Hareshaw Linn by looking at the Northumberland flag outside the Town Hall. A quick visit to the Co-op for some drinks and we were ready for our walk. 


Walking back passed the Boar War Memorial we headed down Boat Road, following signs for the Riverside Walks.

We followed Boat Road down hill. Near the bottom we continued following signs for Riverside Walks (South) as it turned left, crossing over Hareshaw Burn. 


Just at the end of the bridge we turned right and followed the footpath sign towards Boat. I saw the "Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care Walk" sign. I have seen a few of these signs on my Tyne Round a few years ago. 


Walking a muddy path by Hareshaw Burn we followed the Burn south west. Patches of snowdrops gathered by the Burn's edge. Passed the last house the Burn joins the North Tyne. 


The muddy path turns more southerly following the North Tyne.


For a few hundred meters we were walking under tall trees. Through the gate and we were in a wide open area. The footpath was flat along here. You can see although sunny it was still cold.


After a few hundred meters we were walking again under trees and bushes that followed the edge of the river. It was lovely walking along here. The path was good in places although there were a few muddy slippery areas. 

Reaching some buildings the footpath turns left and at the top we walked through a kissing gate. We were back on Boat Road. Turning right and following the road passed what may be a holiday cottage we passed a sign for The Boat Farm. 


Continuing along the road, we passed bunches of daffodils not yet flowering. I bet it is lovely here when they are all in bloom. We moved onto a grass path passing the farm house and into open fields. 

Following the river eastwards the footpath then turns north and climbs up to Redeswood on the Redesmouth Road.


Reaching Redesmouth Road we turned right heading eastwards. After a few hundred meters the road zigs-zags.


Before dropping down a little to pass under an old railway bridge. The road is really narrow here and a sign shows the road must flood in the dip beneath the bridge. We soon climbed out the dip on the far side and continued up a gentle slope for a few meters. We were on Cycle Route 10.

The road was busy and we had to step into the side a few times. After a few meters the road drops again to an area a little flooded before gently climbing up to Redesmouth and the Redesmouth Bridge. 


On the right of the road bridge we could see what remains of the pillars that would have held the railway bridge. All gone now.

Over the bridge the road climbs steeply turning slightly left then right, becoming even steeper as the road turns further to the right. At the top there are footpath signs.


We followed the signs pointing down to the right along Railway Cottages.


At the corner where Railway Cottages turn left a footpath sign took us into a field where the sign pointed across the field. The road in front of these Railway Cottages was marked private road. The ground sign took us along the edge of the field to our left, south, following by the road. The field was rutted in places from where cattle had walked when the ground was soft.

A little confused as to which way we were going we moved back onto the road. We were near Station House and an old signal box. Checking the map we returned to the field and followed to our left continued south.

Following the edge of the field right it dropped slightly. Here we saw a post very low to the ground which had the "Daft as a Brush" logo. Relief we had found the right path was tempered by a herd of cows and I am sure some bulls stamping their feet and snorting, in our way.

We could see what would have been the old station platforms as we eased passed the cattle. The cattle had made the footpath thick and sticky with mud.   


Soon passed the worse of the footpath we were walking along a dismantled railway line, heading south.


An old disused railway building looks across the valley with the North Tyne below. A few meters passed the disused building and we were at a tall style.


Over the style the footpath meandered downhill to our left, down to the right we could see a tepee through the trees. 


We were on the edge of Countesspark Wood. As the narrow path levelled off we moved onto a forest track and the amount of trees became thicker. We could hear a chainsaw in the distance but that soon stopped. Signs warned of ticks and the dangers they caused.

After a few meters we saw steps dropping down to our right so had to have a look. At the bottom of the steps a narrow peninsula led out into the river. 


There was a large piece of frozen water between the riverbank and the start of the peninsula.


A short rest, a quick drink then we set off back up the steps to the forest track and continued south.

The track gently led downhill, it was nice walking along here. The sounds of the birds, the light coming through the trees. We could see a large building on the riverbank.  


There were no signs on the building but a few seats and barbeque drums. I could imagine it would be lovely staying here.

We continued along the footpath as it follows by the North Tyne. I thought I spotted an otter near the far bank but as usual before I could get my camera ready and have a proper look it had gone. 

In places we passed a few piles of chopped tree, perhaps they had come down in the recent storms and been cut away to clear the path.


After a few hundred meters we reached the edge of Countesspark Wood. A notice on the gate advised the footpath ahead by the North Tyne was closed as it was dangerous and an alternative route was to walk the road up to the dismantled railway line.  


Following the instruction passed the building we turned right onto the road.


Ignored the footpath sign and followed the road as it turned left and went steeply up hill towards a place what the map shows is called Heugh.


Reaching the railway bridge we worked our way onto the dismantled railway line. Anne noticed the sound of a woodpecker, excellent.


It was good walking along here. After a few hundred meters we came to a gate, footpath signs cut across our path. The path to our right led down to the North Tyne and was the footpath that was closed. As there were no signs that we could not go straight ahead we continued on the dismantled railway line.

In places it was open and exposed from both sides and we could feel the cold. It also reminded me so much of our walk on The Dava Way. The dismantled railway line and lonely railway huts.   


Continuing southerly we soon reached the track that ran west down to Low Carry House. A gentle downhill stretch. 


At Low Carry House footpath signs directed us around the House onto a farm track that took us further north westerly. Dropping down to some large farm buildings. 


"Daft as a Brush" signs took us along the fence. 


Back to the riverbank on the North Tyne.


Following the River we walked in a big loop, passing a derelict hut. Reaching a gate where we could see a fallen tree blocking the route.


Through the gate we could see where other people had walked around the fallen tree, so we just followed.


It was nice walking along here, bunches of snowdrops and daffodils not yet in flower grew. The wind was turning colder as the footpath turned south. We could hear the traffic on the B6320 across the River.


The footpath moves from the riverbank into the fields on our left.


Reaching Blindburn we walked the track near the River.


Through the gates and after a few hundred meters the track becomes a road. We soon got our first view of Wark Bridge.


We were soon crossing the Bridge.


Walking up Main Street we had a quick look around before having a short rest.


After our short rest we headed back. Almost the same route back. 

On our way to Blindburn we saw a lovely couple who told us they had occasionally seen kingfishers on the River near where we stood.

Continuing on the loop around the large farm building below Low Carry House a quick look in the derelict tin hut shows it must be used by fishermen.  


Back on the dismantled railway line more memories of our walk on The Dava Way. I also thought of my friend Billy he would have loved to have seen this dismantled line.

When we reached Heugh instead of walking down the road we had walked up, we continued along the dismantled railway. Thinking it may save us some time on our return journey. After a few hundred meters we crossed another railway bridge and came across a gate showing the path ahead was private. Fortunately after back tracking a few steps there was a footpath from this bridge that led to the road.


This road led us down hill under the bridge.


Back on our original footpath. We soon passed the buildings and turned right to the entrance of Countesspark Wood. Where we continued along the same route as on our outward journey.  



We had to take care on the Redesmouth Road, as traffic seamed a lot more frequent. Crossing the fields between Redeswood and Boat Farm. Three sheep started following us, before we knew it we had a large flock, very close to our heels. I am not sure if they thought we looked like the farmer or lunch. Even when we had crossed into the next field they were banging and pulling at the gate to get through to us. 


When we reached Boat Road at Boat Farm, instead of following the footpath by the River we continued along Boat Road. We soon reached Bellingham where it was a short walk back to the Riverdale Hall Hotel. Where after a quick wash and change we had a well deserved meal. Really good food and drink at the Riverdale Hall Hotel we would like to come here again.

We had walked 28km with approx 200m climb.
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 in Northumberland or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Thursday 10 March 2022

Hareshaw Linn, Bellingham - Northumberland 7 March 2022

Hareshaw Linn and Return
Bellingham
Northumberland
Distance 7km Climb 85m
Monday 7 March 2022


After settling into the Riverdale Hall Hotel, Bellingham. We changed into our walking clothes and set off, turning right towards Bellingham Village. Crossing at the junction we joined the B6320 and The Pennine Way. Although driving through Bellingham a few times over the last few years it was in March 2011 I last walked through Bellingham on My Pennine Way

After a few meters we were on High Street.  
 

Walking passed the now closed looking Black Bull and Bellingham Town Hall. Across to Lock Up Lane I saw the Rocky Road Café. I don't think it was called this in March 2011 when I was on Day 13 of My Pennine Way but I remember how good the breakfast was and how much I needed it, lovely.

Anyway today we continued along Lock Up Lane which runs behind Front Street and turned right down Pennine Way. Crossing Hareshaw Burn and turning left up Foundry Yard.

After a few meters we came to the Hareshaw Linn Information Board. Notices were pinned showing work was being done on the walk due to the recent storms.


Snowdrops grew on the side of the tarmac path. It was lovely walking. The tarmac gave way to an earth path as we walked by Hareshaw Burn. Towards a large open area with a few picnic tables. On Hareshaw Burn we saw our first waterfall.

The path starts to climb a little and we saw ice framing puddles on the track. Although sunny and bright it was still cold. Cold enough to have stopped the sun melting the ice in places.

The footpath becomes a stone stepped path as it climbs a little more steeply.


We were now above Hareshaw Burn which ran down to our left.


The stone path gave way to an earth path as we continued north. I had spotted a couple of fallen trees along this part of the walk where coins had been struck into the side and base.


We had also passed a number of seats where you could rest. 


Continuing along the path, it drops a little to a bridge over a stream that flows from our right to join Hareshaw Burn below to our left. 

As the path drops a little further we came to the First Bridge over Hareshaw Burn. 


It is interesting to see that each bridge has a sign showing it's OS Grid Reference.

Over the bridge and the path starts to climb a little more. Hareshaw Burn is now flowing to our right and after a few more meters we saw our next waterfall.


A little more climb and we were at Bridge 2.


The footpath is almost flat leading towards Bridge 3.


Passing a large iron girder that could be used as a seat we continued to Bridge 4.


It was lovely along here, all I could hear was the sound of Hareshaw Burn as the water ran over the stones and rocks. Another gentle climb as we made our way to Bridge 5. We had not come across any fallen trees on the footpath and so far the paths were clear.



As we crossed Bridge 5 we could see the footpath climbing steeply on the far side. 


A wooden walkway followed by another short steep climb, then the ground levels for a few meters, before Bridge 6.


Bridge 6 has a lovely waterfall beneath it.  


From Bridge 6 the footpath is a gentle climb with a few steps. To our left through the trees we could see Hareshaw Linn. The path drops down some stone steps under a large overhanging rock.


A large tree was stuck in the Linn. Large rocks looked like they had fallen from the top and had turned 90 degrees during the fall. After a few photos I turned back and walked back up the steps. It was lovely here and we were so lucky to have the place to ourselves.


We returned by the same route.



At one point I saw the stones under Hareshaw Burn. They looked like the rock had been cut into large squares. I am not sure if they had been placed like this or if erosion by the water had caused this? 


After we had crossed all the Bridges I spotted this little fellow and his mate. Of all the photos I took, these were the best. 



As we continued down the footpath, I noticed the birds singing.




We soon reached Bellingham Village. Returning to Lock Up Lane we had a look at a few interesting sights. Such as the Boar War Memorial.



The Chinese Gingall captured during the Boxer Rebellion.


It was only as I orientated myself within The Village I realised it had been the Black Bull I had stopped at for my evening meal Day 12 of My Pennine Way in March 2011. Another welcome meal.


Another interesting site was the stone roof of St Cuthbert's Church used to deter the Border Reivers from burning the Church down.

It did not take us long to return to The Riverdale Hall Hotel, where we had a well deserved couple of drinks and a lovely meal. We had walked in total 7km with an 85m climb.

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 in Northumberland or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.