Ford and Etal with a visit to Duddo Stones - Northumberland 19 Oct 2020

Ford and Etal with a visit to Duddo Stones
Northumberland
Distance 15.5km Climb 130m
Monday 19 October 2020

I was not going to post this walk but then I thought why not, I haven't posted much this year and it was an interesting walk.

We drove to the Heatherslaw Mill Visitor Centre. Where after parking in the car park we crossed the bridge.

After a quick look around the Visitor Centre we decided to follow the River walk to Ford. It is an easy enough walk, just following the signs.

After passing a farm we reached a row of cottages and a sign directed us left across fields.

At the corner of the field another sign took us left around the edge of a large field. Large oak trees which must have stood for century's formed the border of the field.  

At the bottom of the field the path turns right and we could catch glimpses of the River Till between the trees and bushes.

At the next corner, another turn right around the edge of the field and the footpath took us through a gate onto the road B6353. Turning left we walked the road and crossed a large stone bridge over the River Till.  

Crossing over the bridge we could see the large gates and gate house belonging to the Ford Estate. No entry. 

Turning right at the junction we crossed the road and walked along the path. This took us beside a large field of Belted Galloway Cattle, a sign shows the bull is called Shearer.  

At the corner we turned left, following the B6353 up hill, it is a little steep. Passing the St Michael and All Angels Parish Church.

Just passed the Church was a sign directing us towards Ford Village, pedestrians only. It was level along here and the large gate for the Ford Estate stood down to our left. 

Turning right up a tree lined path.

We reached what had been a fountain, the Waterford Fountain. Dedicated to Lord Waterford from his wife the Lady Waterford. 

Walking up the village we passed some interesting looking buildings.

At the top of the street was a building with Queen Victoria depicted on the outside. The Hugh Joicey Church of England First School.

Next door to what had been the Horseshoe Forge.

We then turned round and stopped off for a cup of tea and a bacon sandwich at the Post Office Café.

After our short rest we returned back towards Heatherslaw Mill walking the same route back.

Back at Heatherslaw Mill we walked straight through.

Over the bridge Anne spotted the footpath towards Etal. There is a Light Railway that we could have used? Why use the train when we could walk.

The footpath climbs a little as it moves beside the road B6354.

At the top of the field, we left through a gate and crossed the road onto the path that runs by the road.

This took us into Etal. Turning left we walked into the village.

At the end was Etal Castle, behind which was the station for the Light Railway from Heatherslaw Mill.

After a look around we returned walking through the village.

Passing a thatched cottage. I don't think I have seen any thatched cottages in Northumberland? 

Then across the road is the Black Bull, I saw a sign that says this is the only thatched pub in Northumberland.

Back at the B6354 we crossed over to have a look at the St Mary the Virgin Chapel.

It was starting to rain a little as we headed back down the B6354.

It did not take us long to return back to Heatherslaw Mill.

Where we jumped into the car and headed along the B6354 towards Berwick-upon-Tweed. At Duddo we turned left following the sign for the Stone Circle. After approx 500m we pulled into a layby at another sign for the Stone Circle. A notice shows that this is not a public right of way but the land owner has allowed access.

It was raining a little when we set off, but soon cleared up.

Around the edge of the fields. Due to the recent rainfall it was a little wet and muddy, but no real problem.

We followed the path across the farmers field.

I walked down to the information board, which has a lot of interesting information on the Stones. Such as Radiocarbon of charcoal found in the soil indicates the Stones may have been erected as early as 2000BC.

On my way back up to the Stones, Anne spotted some deer in the field just below us. 

After a few more photos we headed back to the car. It had been an interesting walk. All together we had walked 15.5km and 130m climb, this doesn't include the drive up to Duddo. 

It is not only such a long time since we have been out walking, but also Geocaching. So on an impulse I switched the app on and found there was a few Geocaches I picked up as we passed them. I should have done it on yesterdays walk. Not to worry another time.

More to follow

Boz North

Details correct at time of walking.

Follow link to yesterdays walk Beadnell to Craster.

Follow link to tomorrows walk The Flodden Battlefield.

ECP - Beadnell to Craster - Northumberland 18 Oct 2020

English Coastal Path
Beadnell to Craster and Return
Northumberland 
Distance 28.5km Climb 100m
Sunday 18 October 2020

It has been so long, so very long but this was the first decent walk for such a long long time. We left the cottage we were staying at in Beadnell. A last minute choice for a holiday before I went away. 

So we left the cottage and walked down Kennedy Green, Then followed the footpath south east across an open field to the caravan park. Straight across the caravan park and we were on a path that led across the dunes onto the beach at Beadnell Bay, where we turned right. 

The beach stretched ahead of us for miles. The tide was such a long way out.

We followed the coast around Tughall Burn until we reached the footbridge. Check out a later photo of this beach on our return.

Over the bridge we turned left through the gate and down onto the beach. We were still in Beadnell Bay walking below the dunes on Newton Links.

We crossed The Snook.

Dropping down into Football Hole. It has been so many years, I cant remember how long since we were last here with the children. Good times.

Then it was up over and across Newton Point. 

Stunning views of Dunstanburgh Castle far in the distance.

Following the grass path towards Low Newton-by-the-Sea.

Looking down into one of the little coves we saw a grey heron picking amongst the sea weed.

At the road I remembered the last time we had walked along here, we were with our friends Ingrid and Ron. On that occasion I had parked the car at the car park at the top of the bank from Low Newton-by-the-Sea and we walked down the hill. 

Today after using the public toilets down the alley at the back of The Ship Inn, Anne and I stopped for a quick coffee at The Ship Inn. There was quite a lot of people about.

After our coffee's we dropped straight onto the beach. Shown on the map as St Mary's or Newton Haven. The tide was still out and a great deal of the beach was on show. 

We continued along the beach as it turns inland passing around Embleton Burn. 

Following this for a few hundred meters we crossed the second foot bridge over the Burn. Then after a short sandy rise we dropped back onto the beach of Embleton Bay.

We continued along the beach with its golden sands and at the far end of the Bay we climbed the side of a small gully joining the path across the top of the dunes continuing along the coast towards the Castle. 

Following the path between the coast and the golf course, there is a small dip next to a golf tee, the path then rises up a bank to the green and hole on the far side. This is next to what we have heard called the Larva Bridge, it looks impressive with the tide being so far out.

The path widens a little as we walked through a gate. Following the footpath below the castle we turned left up the narrow track that took us to the front of Dunstanburgh Castle.

Thousands of geese were flying back and forth across an area of land a few hundred meters to our west. At first I thought the noise was from a train travelling up the East Coast Main Line, but no it was from the geese.

Following a previous walk along this part of coast I read that the Castle was also used as a coastal defence in the Second World War. How did the people who built Dunstanburgh Castle know that it would be needed centuries later?

Anne was happy for us to continue south towards Craster along the grass path. In the distance there was a clear view of Coquet Island. As always a lot of people were walking up from Craster towards Dunstanburgh Castle. The walk Dunstanburgh Castle to Craster has been shown as Number 9 on ITV's Britain's Favourite Walks broadcast in January 2018.

Arriving in Craster a number of people were wandering the narrow streets.

We thought about stopping for a break but there was nowhere available so we decided to start our return journey.

Looking into the harbour we saw a number of little birds looking for food through the sea weed.

Our route back was much the same as our route to Craster with a few changes due to the tides and tiredness.

On our way along the grass path a couple of cows ran down towards the sea. Must have been after the seaweed. It seamed strange as the tide was coming in.

At the third gate instead of following the path up towards the Castle we turned slightly left and took the level footpath that moves up between a couple of short crags.

This took us onto the muddy path around the bottom of the Castle, and we were soon back on our outward track. 

We could see the tide was racing in and the waves were higher as we dropped down to Embleton Bay. 

At the far end we crossed the footbridge over Embleton Burn retracing our previous steps, we walked right following the Burn. Then instead of returning to the beach the way we had come we walked up a footpath that climbed into the dunes beside the golf course.

At the top we followed the path by the golf course that twisted and turned by the greens, rising and falling along the sand dunes. Passing the beach huts/chalets that are set in and around the dunes. I didn't see anyone using the chalets today.

We continued on the track dropping down passed the Newton Pool Nature Reserve and followed the track as it turned left. We noticed a new bird hide has been built. Crossing a small stream we walked by the old seat made from nets and broken crab/lobster pots. After the boat park we walked through a gate and up between a number of holiday lets.

Passed the toilet and turned right behind The Ship Inn, we didn't stop this time, just turned the corner left and started up the hill towards the car park passing the Victorian Post Box.

Passing the car park on our left at the top of the hill we followed the road down hill passed a small church St Mary's. The road turned left as it took us into High Newton-by-the-Sea.

At the first junction on our right we turned right, passed the bus stop then right again, we were heading almost due North.

On our left in the corner of the field was another pill box, one of many we had passed today.

At the top of the road we had reached Newton Links House. Passing the car park on the right, a place we had parked our car many times in the past. We walked up and through the gate.

We turned left following the sign for the Northumberland Coast Path. This took us onto Newton Links. It was very quite along here.

After about 1.5km we reached the footbridge that took us over Tughall Burn. 

We could see as we crossed the bridge it was a good choice of route for our return. Most if not all of this part of our route to Low Newton-by-the-Sea would be now under water.

Not far now, once over the Burn, we continued along the Coast path now called Tughall Mill Links.

Across an area where cows were wandering and we soon reached the caravan park. 

Taking the road's that appeared on our left we eventually saw the gate we were looking for. The spire of St Ebba's Church pointing the way.

Through the gate and open field we crossed at the start of our walk. We could see The Cheviot's in the distance.

Then it was up Kennedy's Green and a visit to Beadnell Towers for a well deserved drink and fantastic meal.

It had been a great day, especially after so long not going anywhere. We had covered 28.5km with a 100m climb. A really good day. 

Hopefully

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 English Coastal Path or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow links to a walk from Boulmer to Craster. 

Follow link to tomorrows walk Ford and Etal with a visit to The Duddo Stones.