Gadgie Walks: When it's wet walk from Wylam

When it's wet, walk from Wylam May 24th.

On Wednesday it rained, all day. On Thursday it only rained for part of the day. Thinking many cross country paths would be muddy we settled for a walk on well known and firm trails from Wylam.

A69 west turn left at sign for Wylam, drive towards the station and before crossing the River Tyne turn left into the free car park.

The walk is covered by OS Explorer 316 Newcastle upon Tyne, but it is not essential.

Wylam car park near the Tyne.

Before the walk we enjoyed tea, coffee and bacon sandwiches in the Coffee Tree, a short walk up the road from the car park.

A team of seven: Brian, Margaret, Harry, Ian, John H., John L. and me.

Breakfast over we left the car park, crossed the river, which was fairly full after the last two days precipitation, turned into the station car park and took the footpath at the far end.

Thye Tyne at Wylam, full and fast flowing.

The footpath follows the banks of the river for a little over three miles. On one side is Ryton Golf Course. At one point the path goes round the magic smoking ground. Occasionally small clouds of smoke appear from the ground, escaping an underground fire in an old pit.

Some went on foot, some on horse and some on a train.

Near the Newburn Bridge there are several rowing clubs, a couple of eights were out on the river.

Newburn bridge an eight and a four.

Newburn is the site of the Battle of Newburn Ford where, in 1640, the Scots beat the English in a battle of the Bishop's War, the overture to the Civil War. The victorious Scots went on to capture Newcastle.

Once over the river we headed uphill to the War Memorial. Behind it a footpath climbed, but not too steeply to the top of a hill from where we had a fine view of the local primary school. It was lunch time, the children were making the most of their break.

Newburn Primary..

Just beyond the school we turned left up a lane, passing what looked like several scrap yards. Taking the right fork we entered Throckley Dene.

Throckley Dene. The path climbs steadily, crossing the stream several times.

We crossed a minor road and continued in the dene, eventually emerging into field, turned left and climbed steps cut into the ground to the single bench at the top. It made a reasonable but crowded Herbie Spot. (Apple pies, cookies, ginger biscuits and Mrs A's sweet and savoury offerings)

After a break we set off again cutting through the estate until we came to the old main road through Throckley. It is on Hadrian's Wall ,not that you can tell. Finding the Coral Bookmakers we took the footpath strewn with empty lager cans down hill. It's a bit tricky finding the way through the housing estate but eventually we were on the footpath heading downhill in the direction of the river. At a minor road we turned right and about 100 yards uphill followed the signpost that took us along a narrow footpath, heavily nettled to a field.Once across the field we turned left and went down to the old wagonway/railway line, that is now a trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The well made path passes the Close House Golf course and Stephenson's Cottage.