Gadgie Walks: Walk from Riding Mill

A Walk from Riding Mill. (Northumberland) February 4th.

God's little acre, aka Yorkshire, was cut up into three Ridings, meaning a third. The name Riding Mill comes from Old English "ryding" meaning a clearing. So it's a mill on cleared land. Easy to find, head west on the A69, at the Corbridge roundabout turn left down the A68 and at the next roundabout take the road to Riding Mill. Just beyond the Wellington pub turn right and there is parking at the station, and a cafe.

There's a team of eight out today: Harry, Brian, Margaret, John C. John H., Dave, Ian and me. The maps to use are OS Explorer 316 Newcastle upon Tyne and OS Explorer 307 Consett and Derwent reservoir.

Not a prize winner but convenient for the station and cafe. (And free)

The cafe only had seats outside, it was early, but we made use of them.

Leaving the station car park we walked back to the village main street, crossed it and walked up yhe steep Millfield Road, a thoroughfare lined with large detached houses. beyond the houses, near Broomhaugh we left tarmac for grass and walked uphill still until we reached a minor road (1.5 miles) where we turned left and then after a few yards turned right and entered Broomleyfell Plantationm.

The track is well posted with the traditional yellow arrows and walking south we came to a minor road at Burnt House, (mile 2) turned left and followed the road for a furlong before turning right for Healey.

This church is close to Healey. It is vertical really and has a splendid topiary chair

Healey. For reasons known only to inhabitants of the north east we began to quote adverts for conservatories in broad Geordie accents.

From here we crossed fields and walked through Lingleyfield Plantation (mile 3) to Low Fotherley where we turned left onto the A68. Not a dual carriageway but a busy road with fast moving traffic.

Fortunately we stayed on it for a few hundred yards to Fell House where we happily took to the fields and a narrow road in a straight line walking in a north east direction. Close by was Wheelbirks, an ice cream parlour and restaurant. Very busy but we resisted temptation.

Looked very busy.

Reaching the B6309 we crossed and followed the road to Hindley Farm and Hindley Hall.(mile 5)

Hindley Hall, once a special boarding school, say no more.

About half a mile beyond the hamlet of Hindley we turned left down a track through hall Woods but declared a Herbie, settling down on the ground for lunch.

Lunch time: Apple pies, almond slices, flapjacks and sweet and savoury from Mrs A. It was cold and windy on the track. Some developed "runners drip" which is politely called" exercise induced rhinitis" or a drip on the end of your nose.

Moving on we followed the track west to Broomley which is close to Dere Street Roman road (course of).Beyond Broomley we joined the River Tyne Trail which is sponsored by "Daft as a Brush" a charity that offers help to cancer sufferers. The charity has marked trails on the North and South Tyne and have produced a booklet describing the routes.

A deserving charity.

Beyond Shalford Wood we came to the A68 again, still busy. The low sun made it difficult to see oncoming traffic but we crossed safely and followed the path back to Riding Mill.

Changed we headed for the Wellington, the Riding Mill pub, which had several beers on offer and coffee or tea.