Ten Perfect Picnic Places
Walltown Picnic Area1.) Walltown Rocks
Walltown near the village of Greenhead, was formerly quarried for hard rock leaving a big hollow in the landscape surrounded by tall crags – great for exploring. Walltown crags is a good place to see how Hadrian’s Wall was built on the sheer north-facing edge of a great wave of volcanic rock.
Northumberland National Park has landscaped the space with woodland, meadows, wildlife lakes, a café and firm paths with pleasant circular walks so that everyone can enjoy it including people with wheeled chairs and buggies. Walltown, is next door to the Carvoran Roman Army Museum and Hadrian’s Cycleway runs nearby. The Hadrian’s Wall Bus stops at Walltown or you can park for £2 all day and £1 for two hours. There are lock-ups for bikes and dogs under control are welcome. Download a free Walltown map-guide from www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/walltown.
Thirlwall Castle2.) Castles and Cream Teas
There’s an exhilarating walk to be done from Walltown, west along the line of Hadrian’s Wall to Thirlwall Castle. Alternatively take the gentle path to the castle from the village of Greenhead along the Tipalt Burn which is a natural Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). In the village, the Greenhead Hotel serves real ales and great meals. The Olde Forge tea rooms also provides excellent food, with the biggest, most delicious home-made cakes ever. Download a free circular walk guide from www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/thirlwallcastlewalk.
Warksburn3.) Long Drop to Warksburn
Stonehaugh village has a lovely setting alongside the crystal clear Warksburn at the edge of the forest. Its collection of totem poles are a mark of the community’s origins in forestry. Park at the village’s terrific picnic site – perfect for games and children’s sports. You can explore the area with a walk that follows the burn to Low Roses Bower – an old abandoned farmstead distinguished by its extraordinary stone outside loo. Known as the Long Drop, this strange contraption perches on a gorge high over the burn. The mind boggles at being caught short in winter! Download a free walk guide from www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/stonehaughwalks.pdf.
Hareshaw Linn4.) Waterfall Wander
Bellingham is an attractive village with interesting shops stocking good local produce. There are several pubs, the Fountain Tea Rooms at the Heritage Centre.(open daily until the autumn half term and then Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays over the winter) and an excellent new café called IT Bites with internet facilities and WIFI. The goats cheese and crayfish tail sandwich is highly recommended and so is the coffee. The Pennine Way passes through the village, and from Easter to September the award-winning Heritage Centre at the old railway station offers a fascinating look at the different ages of the valley’s history, from Reivers to Railways.
Starting at the edge of the village is a magical walk to Hareshaw Linn. The route takes you through the ancient woodland of a deep gorge steeped in the history of our industrial past, over six bridges to a fairytale waterfall. Download a free guide from www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/hareshawlinnwalk.
Haymeadow5.) Haymeadows and Hollybush
Greenhaugh is situated 8km north west of Bellingham in the upper reaches of North Tynedale with Greenhaugh Burn cutting through the south of the village. The settlements of Tarset and Lanehead are nearby. To the north the area is bounded by the Tarset Burn which flows into the River North Tyne. The whole area is remote and picturesque and justly famous both for its ancient haymeadows that make a striking picture in summer, and for its ancient and delightful pub-restaurant the Hollybush Inn. The main road from Bellingham to Kielder runs through here, along with the disused Border Counties Railway which clips the southern edge of the castle earthworks. A pack of seven scenic walks around the village of Greenhaugh from 2-8 miles long has been developed by the community and can be purchased at National Park visitor centres or at our Online Store.
Falstone Village6.) Falstone River Sculpture Walk
Stell (the local name for a stone sheep shelter) is a wonderful sit-on sculpture on the banks of the River North Tyne just outside Falstone village near the Kielder dam. It commemorates in stone the warm expression of welcome that is typical of this village in Northumberland National Park. Artist Colin Wilbourn worked with the community to develop and build this unexpected piece of sculpture which commemorates the past life of lost villages flooded to create the Kielder reservoir. Many of the images on the sculpture were drawn by local people and schoolchildren.
You can picnic in Falstone’s pretty public gardens or along the river bank. Fine dining can be found at the Pheasant Inn at Stannersburn or the Black Cock Inn at Falstone. The Old School Tea Rooms in the village provide all-day meals and snacks with delicious home-made bakes and local ice-cream. Download a free walk guide from www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/falstonecircular.
Elsdon Burn7.) Picturesque Elsdon
This picturesque historical village centred around a large village green is ideal for starting out on many fine walks into the surrounding countryside. Once a very important town, Elsdon has a 13th century church, a fascinating churchyard with curious gravestones, a Pele tower house and the earthworks of a Norman motte and bailey castle. The 18th Century Bird in Bush inn serves a range of ales and good food, especially Sunday lunches. Situated in the former school house dating back to the early 1700s, the Impromptu Tea Room has charming views across the village of Elsdon and the surrounding hills. The menu caters for vegetarians and includes their famous Gibbet Fruit Cake. Walkers and cyclists are especially welcome. You can pick up a walk card here for the Elsdon Village Trail (suitable for wheelchair users).
Otterburn Hall8.) Hillfort Hike on the Otterburn Trail
Otterburn hugs the A696 in wild Redesdale as it heads to the Border and is an important stop for travellers. A fine castle with medieval origins, Otterburn Tower, is now a hotel and award-winning Routiers restaurant. In Victorian times an “Otterburn” was an essential travel item; a hard-wearing rug to keep you snug on a coach ride. Otterburn Mill, where these blankets were woven has a display of its milling history, a good café and an enticing retail space. It is also the starting point for a delightful, signposted circular walk suitable for most abilities which has been developed by the local community. Families with stamina might like to add on a climb to the top of Fawdon Hill half way round the route. This is the site of an iron age hillfort; the winning position of the Earl of Douglas against Harry ‘Hotspur’ Percy in the Battle of Otterburn (1388) and, allegedly, the royal residence of the fairy Queen Mab. Get walk details from the Tourist Information Centre at the Mill or from www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/otterburnwalk.
Simonside heather9.) The Simonside Ridge Walk
The Simonside Hills with their distinctive profile are a landmark from every compass point, and judging by the prehistoric rock art and ancient burial cairns on the slopes, have been so for many thousands of years. Part of a vast fell sandstone layer that underlies much of the north, the action of ice and erosion has resulted in weird rounded rock shapes and crags. A walk along the ridge rewards the climb to the crags with outstanding views east to the sea and west to the Cheviots. The Simonside Hills are a European Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for their extensive heather moorland and blanket bog and are home to many birds and rare species. Visit Simonside from Rothbury where you can pick up great, locally-produced food for a picnic. Find out more about Simonside and download a free Forestry Commission-National Park walk guide from www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/simonsideridgewalk.
Starr Inn - Harbottle10.) Harbottle Castle and the Drake Stone
One of the loveliest villages in Coquetdale, Harbottle’s single street is overlooked by the ruins of an ancient castle which guarded the main access way across the Border until the Union. On the opposite side of the valley, a path leads up to the Drake Stone, a massive Fell sandstone boulder, and to a glacial lough (lake). The Star Inn Pub offers a warm welcome and there is a handy shop and crafts centre. Car parking is available near the castle, where some stirring poetry is carved into the stones.
There are lots of places to discover in Northumberland National Park. Pick up a visitor guide and map from Tourist Information Centres, call us on 01434 344396 or email: tic.oncebrewed@nnpa.org.uk.
