Tag: walks

The Charming Village of Ingram

Posted on September 22, 2025 by - North East Attractions, Northumberland, Visitor Attractions

Tucked away in the heart of the stunning Breamish Valley is the tiny village of Ingram however what this village lacks in size is more than made up for it when it comes to quiet charm. A day out to enjoy the walks and scenery in this part of the Northumberland National Park will leave you in awe of the stunning countryside but don’t miss dropping by this little hidden gem.

The village itself sits alongside the beautiful River Breamish and is made up of a few lovely stone buildings, and is also home to an 11th-century Anglican church, St Michael and All Angels which is steeped in history and sits within a large churchyard with lych gate, a welcoming church that holds regular services. Further on from the church you will find a visitor centre that includes the Breamish Valley Archaeology Exhibition, which has some lovely finds that have been unearthed by archaeologists over the years. A real bonus is the lovely little family run cafe that offers light meals, cakes, snacks and drinks.

alt="Ingram church and churchyard with snowdrops and gravestones"
Ingram Church (c) A Forster
alt="a warmly lit interior of Ingram church"
Ingram Church (c) A Forster

Walk This Way!

It goes without saying that the surrounding Breamish Valley is a paradise for ramblers, gentle strollers and serious hikers alike with countless walks and trails, so make sure to pack your walking boots to enjoy one of the many fantastic routes including:

Breamish Valley Hill Fort Trail – The Breamish Valley is one of the most important archaeological landscapes in the country, with Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements that are believed to be over 2500 years old. If you love a spot of ancient history then these hill forts and burial mounds are simply breathtaking and attract archaeologists from across the globe. Take the walk and step back in time on this moderate yet rewarding adventure, where you’ll visit five ancient Iron Age Hillforts set high in the Northumberland landscape. This is a fantastic climb with a summit that rewards you with incredible panoramic views of the entire valley. This 4.5 mile walk is for the more adventurous and suitable footwear and clothing is essential.

Breamish Valley (c) A Forster

Linhope Spout Waterfall – A truly beautiful walk to a beautiful spot! A lovely 3 mile walk starting just outside of Ingram takes you to this dramatic 18-metre waterfall that cascades into a deep plunge pool set amongst a pretty glade which is perfect for a picnic! As you make your way to the waterfall, keep an eye out for wildlife and particularly red squirrels that reside in the surrounding woodland. If waterfalls are your favourite type of walk check out our favourite walks to waterfalls here.

alt="Large cascade waterfall and plunge pool at Linhope Spout in the Breamish Valley"
Linhope Spout

Starry Skies Over Ingram

As the village is set within the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, it falls with the designated Dark Sky Discovery Site where there is no hint of city glare and only an intense darkness which is of course perfect for viewing the billions of stars in our vast Northumberland skies!

The Village of Ingram is just a small part of a huge offer in the Breamish Valley, don’t go expecting a high street filled with shops, but do visit the village and enjoy the feeling of peaceful contentment and embrace the very quiet beauty as part of your day out to this picturesque part of Northumberland.

Walks to Waterfalls

Posted on May 14, 2025 by - Hadrian's Wall Area Attractions, North East Attractions, Northumberland

Northumberland has some gorgeous walks to waterfalls and what could be better than a walk in the beautiful Northumberland countryside combined with the sight and sound of a waterfall.

The Northumberland National Park is the place to go to enjoy many superb walks with the added bonus of a waterfall, this lovely 3 mile walk takes you to the spectacular Linhope Spout waterfall that has a 60ft cascade that drops down into a plunge pool that is 16ft deep. The walk to Linhope Spout begins and ends near the village of Ingram and is classed as a moderate walk with some steep and rocky paths but definitely worth the trek. When you reach your destination you will find that the impressive cascade of water and plunge pool sits within a pretty glade that is perfect for a picnic or of course there is always the opportunity for a spot of wild water swimming!

alt="walk to waterfalls Crammel Linn waterfall and plunge pool in the sunshine"

Also within the National Park is one of our own personal favourites Hareshaw Linn near Bellingham which is just a 20 minute drive from St Oswald’s Farm. The 3 mile walk begins at the Hareshaw Linn car park in Bellingham and follows the serene Hareshaw Burn upstream. Along the way, you’ll cross six charming little bridges and pass through a rich mix of oak, hazel, elm and ash trees and keep your eyes open for red squirrels, woodpeckers, wood warblers and many more creatures and birds that call this beautiful woodland home. As you navigate the winding paths you’ll soon hear the sound of the waterfall and then the stunning 30 foot torrent which is tucked within a moss covered gorge, will come into view. The path is well-defined but is uneven and steep with steps and muddy patches, so make sure you have suitable footwear to enjoy this lovely walk.

alt="walk to a waterfall through mature woodland on rough woodland path"
A walk through mature woodland….
alt="Hareshaw Linn waterfall and plunge pool with green trees above"
….to a stunning cascade

One of the prettiest waterfalls in the area has to be Crammel Linn which lies on the River Irthing on the border between Northumberland and Cumbria and which can be accessed on foot from the nearby village of Gilsland. The Irthing flows through a deep gorge which is flanked by sandstone crags and although not a particularly easy walk you will be rewarded a with the sight of a very pretty 25ft waterfall. The cascade splits into two during drier spells but after heavy rain is a powerful single force. The circular walk from Gilsland is around 9 miles and offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, wildlife, tranquility together with a touch of history.

alt="Crammel Linn waterfall with pretty grass and flowers walks to waterfalls"
Crammel Linn

North Northumberland has its share of stunning waterfalls too and Routin Linn which sits north of the town of Wooler, which is not to be confused with Roughting Linn, is no exception. A moderate walk from the village of Ford takes you through tranquil countryside passing the Ford Moss Nature Reserve where you can see birds such as red grouse, meadow pipit and woodcock. The route continues from the reserve towards Goatscrag Hill before arriving at this fairytale style waterfall on the Broomridge Dean Burn. A short walk away from the waterfall is an outcrop of grey sandstone where you can see Iron Age ring marks and cup holes carved into the rocks which are thought to date back 4,000 years to the Neolithic period. A picturesque walk with an enchanting waterfall together with a glimpse of fascinating history. This walk is a linear route and you’ll return to Ford on the same path.

There are many more wonderful walks to waterfalls across the whole of the North East of England so if you’re a waterfall seeker don’t miss the spectacular High and Low Force in nearby County Durham. Combine this with a visit to Barnard Castle, Raby Castle, Egglestone Gardens or The Bowes Museum.

High Force (c) Vamosjanos

alt="Walks to waterfalls High Force large waterfall in county Durham"

Taking some of the beautiful walks to waterfalls is simply a wonderful way to see and enjoy the Northumberland countryside and for more walks by water then head to our blog post on some of our lovely river walks.

Charming Villages – Otterburn

Posted on September 8, 2022 by - Hadrian's Wall Area Attractions, Northumberland

The remote and small village of Otterburn sits in Redesdale on the banks of the River Rede in some of the most stunning and picturesque countryside that lies within the Northumberland National Park. It may be small but Otterburn has a vibrant and thriving community and is home to a small selection of shops and pubs as well as the renowned Otterburn Mill.

The whole of the Redesdale Valley and Otterburn Ranges are a haven for wildlife as birds and animals are able to thrive in this remote landscape. Although nearly a quarter of the Northumberland National Park is owned by the Ministry of Defence and used as a military training area it is the shared aim of the Northumberland National Park and the MoD to encourage as much access to the area as possible. The area boasts amazing walking opportunities and you will encounter some of the most spectacular unspoilt landscapes and views that will simply take your breath away. There are walking routes both on and off the ranges but please note the walks on any part of the ranges are inaccessible when the red flags are flying, a guide to accessing the ranges can be found here.

  • Otterburn Ranges
  • alt="percy monument near Otterburn"
    Percy Monument

The Percy Monument, also known as the Battle Stone, lies just north-west of the village. It commemorates the Battle of Otterburn which took place in 1388 and is named after the Percys of Northumberland who lost the battle against their arch enemies, the Douglases of Scotland. You can take a lovely walk up to the Percy Monument from Otterburn and take in the site of this iron age hill fort and this is walk 2 in the leaflet that can be downloaded below .

Otterburn Mill is a great stop, not only is it a former textile mill which boasts a rich heritage but you will also find a shop with a great range of outdoor and country clothing as well as textiles and tweeds. A small museum tells the story of the weaving trade that used to thrive here and the lovely cafe serves hearty lunches as well as light bites and some divine looking fresh cream cakes!

  • alt="Otterburn village and mill"
    Otterburn Mill

The car park at Otterburn Mill is a also a start and finish point for some of the walks that take you through the stunning surrounding countryside of the Rede Valley with plenty fauna to enjoy and you may even be lucky enough to spot an otter or two. You can download the self-guided walk leaflet here or you will find a copy in the cottage when you stay with us.

Northumberland is home to so many gorgeous little villages who can sometimes be overlooked by the larger towns and visitor attractions, but these villages often hold the key to a wealth of history and reveal some of the totally unspoilt beauty of Northumberland. Make sure you put some of them on your ‘must visit’ list.

Autumn walks

Posted on September 5, 2020 by - Northumberland

Isn’t Autumn just the most glorious time of the year? Crunchy leaves, misty mornings, crispy air and with a myriad of colours sweeping over our trees, woodlands, gardens, hedgerows, fields and even across our skies. Autumn is definitely not the time to hibernate.

Early morning at St Oswald’s Farm

Northumberland is renowned for its walks and trails right across the County from coast to country, from remote moorlands to river walks, Northumberland offers the very best in walking opportunities. For hardened walkers Autumn brings a new dimension to each walk with a kaleidoscope of colours to indulge in and for those who enjoy more of a gentle stroll there’s no better time than Autumn to breathe in the great outdoors. Whatever your walking level or experience we can guarantee Northumberland has a walk for you.

alt="orange leaves on the ground at Tyne Green hexham"
alt="Tyne green hexham autumn walk"
Tyne Green in Hexham

You don’t need to travel far from our back door to enjoy the River Tyne. One of Hexham’s nicest green spaces is Tyne Green and it is the most tranquil of places to enjoy, this long river walk at any time of the year is lovely but bathed in Autumn glory it’s nothing short of beautiful.

Further east, the River Tyne takes you to Wylam and to Hagg Bank which is dominated by an impressive single span arch bridge, this former railway bridge is now a footbridge only. The walk East, Keelman’s Way (cycle route 141), stretches from Wylam to Newburn and can be accessed from either end or you may wish to explore the river stretch from Prudhoe to Wylam taking in sights such as George Stephenson’s Cottage and Prudhoe Castle along the way.

alt="autumn walks at Hagg Bank bridge Wylam"
Hagg Bank at Wylam

The walks at Allen Banks & Staward Gorge are a must-see in Autumn. The gardens and woodlands are owned by the National Trust and are the largest area of ancient semi-natural woodland in Northumberland. This beautiful wooded gorge that follows the River Allen has many different walks to enjoy with miles of paths, most are signed, however some are fairly steep and in places can be a little uneven. Amongst this ancient and ornamental woodland not only will you discover wildife and fauna but also ancient monuments and perhaps even a summer house! Make sure to grab a map available from the car park to keep you on the right path. For current opening times and parking details please check their website before visiting. Top tip – afterwards head to Bardon Mill Village Store & Tearoom for hot drinks, light lunches and cake!

Allen Banks & Staward Gorge in Autumn

The Simonside Hills in Northumberland National Park are perhaps the most recognisable hills in the County and as the Autumn months approach they bring just an expanse of purple beauty across the heather moorland. There is a circular 7km walk to the summit and although the route across the woodlands and moor are classed as moderate it is oh so worth it. At the summit you will encounter 360 degree view and be able to take in the Cheviot Hills, Coquetdale and over to the North Sea coastline. You will find details of parking and route guidance on the National Park website.

alt=" autumn walks through the purple heather of simonside hills "
Simonside Hills

It’s hard to choose our favourite place to visit in Autumn, Gibside with its long tree lined avenue or the charm of Belsay Hall and the colours that appear across the gardens and surrounding woodlands at this time of year. Or perhaps our favourite is Cragside House & Gardens which despite the many evergreens amongst their 7 million trees they just seem to highlight and compliment the display of Autumn colours. Talkin’ Tarn is lovely for a gentle walk around a lake but then so is Bolam Lake and there’s Blanchland …if only Autumn lasted longer. There’s always next year when nature will do it for us all again!

Whatever or wherever you choose to walk during your Autumn stay we can guarantee you will ‘fall’ for the charm of Northumberland.

alt="talkin tarn"
Talkin’ Tarn
alt="cragside house in autumn"
Cragside
alt="bolam lake in autumn"
Bolam Lake

Heavenfield Cottage is the perfect base for all your Autumn days out and just perfect to return back to following a day in the great outdoors. With underfloor heating, a log burning stove, a deep double ended bath, walk-in rainforest shower, fluffy bathrobes, the biggest most comfortable bed with luxury bedding, oh and there’s even somewhere to dry your boots! Sound good? All our Autumn availability can be found here.

We look forward to welcoming you to St Oswald’s Farm.

Northumberland Coastal Path

Posted on February 5, 2020 by - Northumberland

The Northumberland Coast has to be one of the most stunning in the UK and with it’s own dedicated Coastal Path it couldn’t be easier to enjoy and offers some of the most spectacular walking in Europe.

alt="Northumberland Coastal Path Signpost"
Northumberland Coastal Path – Image Gavin Duthie

As you would expect there are huge expanses of gorgeous sweeping beaches but the path takes you on a journey to discover so much more. Ancient castles, spectacular cliffs and rocky outcrops, wild sand dunes, secluded coves, friendly villages and fishing ports, a national nature reserve and the opportunity to take in the wildlife and bird life and undoubtedly has an unspoilt yet majestic beauty.

The 62 mile linear route through the Northumberland Coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty runs from Cresswell in the South to the historic border town of Berwick Upon Tweed in the North. It is well signed and a mainly flat walk with only a few steep climbs giving you the opportunity to concentrate on the constantly changing landscape around you.

Cresswell in the South……
Image C Parker
…to Berwick in the North
Image G Duthie

The whole route is broken into 6 stages with many of the stages taking in some of our Northumbrian highlights. Section one enjoys Druridge Bay, Hauxley Nature Reserve, views of Coquet Island before arriving in Warkworth, a picturesque village sitting in the shadow of its impressive Castle and Hermitage.

alt="Northumberland Coastal Path Warkworth Castle"
Warkworth Castle

Section two visits Alnmouth and Boulmer before reaching Craster where an obligatory visit to the smokery is a must and perhaps refreshment at The Jolly Fisherman! Section three takes you past the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle and onto Embleton Bay and Low Newton which offer a haven for birdwatching & wildlife before the route continues on to the fishing port of Seahouses.

alt+"Northumberland Coastal Path Craster"
The fishing village of Craster
Image Gavin Duthie

Section four takes you from Seahouses to Belford and section five from Belford to Fenwick both only a short 6-7 mile walk with the final leg of this magnificent walk taking you 12 miles to the border town of Berwick Upon Tweed.

The Coastal route isn’t just for those wishing to complete the whole walk, there is a bus service that enables you to enjoy shorter sections, the X18 Coast and Castles which services the route of the Northumberland Coastal Path between Amble and Berwick. It’s ideal if you’d like to enjoy short linear routes and return to your starting point.

alt+"Northumberland Coastal Path Dunstanburgh Castle"
The impressive ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle

Also ideal for day visitors are the circular walking routes, choose from 4 miles routes from Craster to Howick Hall (famously the home of Earl Grey Tea) or Craster to Dunstanburgh. If you have a little longer to spend then there is a walk of just over 10 miles from Belford to St Cuthbert’s Cave which is reputed to be where the monks of Lindisfarne brought St. Cuthbert’s body to rest for a short period in AD875.

alt="Northumberland Coastal Path Howick Hall"
Enjoy a cup of Earl Grey Tea at Howick Hall

To enjoy the circular trails it is well worth obtaining the trail leaflets from a local Tourist Information Point and the Northumberland Coastal Path Official Guidebook & Path Passport can both be purchased from Northern Heritage.

Circular Trail Leaflets
Guidebook

Northumberland has no end of fantastic walking opportunities, each one as unique and diverse as its neighbour. We hope that when you visit you get to enjoy some of our walks and the see the very best of our lovely County.

We’re always happy to recommend walks and days out to our guests and there are books and guides in the cottage to help you choose. For all details of our accommodation here at St Oswald’s Farm and our current availability please go to our website

We look forward to welcoming you here and sharing our walks and our magnificent coast with you!