Author: St Oswald's Farm

Northumberland is well known for its amazing walking opportunities and with it’s varied, rugged and wild landscape the walks in Northumberland provide fantastic opportunities to enjoy everything from the beautiful coastline to hills and dales as well as high remote moorland, iconic castles and historic monuments. Our water ways and river walks are perhaps less well known but a walk by water in Northumberland incorporates all that is great about our landscape with the relaxing sight and sound of water.

Our river walks offer everything from strolls by babbling brooks to the wonders of finding a waterfall and to the wilderness of the Northumberland National Park. Northumberland offers an abundance of river walks right across the County and we are lucky enough to have so many nearby, Hareshaw Linn, Allen Banks & Staward Gorge but here’s a few more of our local favourites.

The Tyne Green Trail is a 4.5 mile circular walk that follows the course of the River Tyne between Hexham Bridge and the turning point just past Watersmeet which is where the North and South Tyne join, and the river along which the path continues is the South Tyne, flowing from the Pennines beyond Alston, while opposite is the North Tyne flowing out of Kielder Water. The return walk is on quiet lanes and paths and can be extended to Warden Hill which includes the perfect pit stop for refreshment at The Boatside Inn which is just over the river a few hundred yards from the trail. The walk takes in the lovely avenue of mature trees on Tyne Green itself, the 18th century Hexham Bridge which is the perfect spot to stand and gives an ideal view of the weir and depending on the time of year, you may see leaping salmon. Further upstream look out for the remains of the old railway bridge which was built between 1855-1862 and went on to carry the Border Counties Railway. This is an ideal gentle walk and with a very conveniently placed pub!

Dukesfield Arches and Devil’s Water is a walk that uncovers the lead industry heritage of this hidden part of nearby Hexhamshire. There are two routes depending how far you wish to walk, either 6.25 miles or a 4 mile walk. The walks start at the gothic arches that are all that remains of the mill that was built to smelt lead ore brought to the site on the backs of packhorses from the North Pennine hills. The original mill dates back to the late seventeenth century and was working until 1835. For much of this time it was probably one of the largest such mills in the country. The Devil’s Water route is in no way menacing as it’s name would suggest but offers a lovely peaceful riverside walk through beautiful countryside.

Wallington Hall is a well known National Trust property that we always recommend to our guests and as well as the impressive house and grounds, Wallington has a lovely circular river walk which takes 1-2 hours and is a relatively flat route. The walk starts at the Courtyard at Wallington Hall taking in the woodland, ponds and walled garden before guiding you along the banks of the River Wansbeck crossing bridges and stepping stones on the way before arriving back in the Courtyard. It’s a gorgeous walk and you’re more or less guaranteed to see plenty of wildlife as you saunter this tranquil river route.

Featherstone Castle & Lambley Viaduct walk is a beautiful circular walk that follows public footpaths and bridleways across fields and meadows beside the River South Tyne and joins the South Tyne Trail. The walk is rich in history taking in a 14th-century castle, a prisoner of war camp and an elegant 19th-century viaduct that used to carry the Alston to Haltwhistle railway line. The walk is around 6 miles and classed as a moderate walk but should you find yourself in need of a refreshment after your walk, The Wallace Arms is just up the road.

There are just to many gorgeous river walks in Northumberland and each with it’s own unique charm, so whether you enjoy the heritage behind our waterways, want to look out for wildlife or simply enjoy the calming influence a river walk brings then Northumberland will certainly have a walk for you. Book your stay and look forward to enjoying all Northumberland has to offer.