Wylam, Prudhoe and Stanley Burn. December 13th
Sounds like a firm of solicitors.
Wylam village is west of Newcastle, on the north side of the Tyne. Head west on the A69, turn off at the sign post for Wylam and head down towards the free car park close to the bridge.
There are seven of us, breakfast in the Coffee Tree near the church.
The slightly out of focus Tyne at Wylam
Leaving the car park we took the narrow path under the bridge and walked on the river bank, joining a firm track and reaching Hagg Bridge which once carried a railway line on the north side of the river. Once across it joined the line to Carlisle on the south side.
Hagg Bridge
We stayed on the track to Ovingham Bridge where there is a cafe and car park next to Prudhoe station. As the crossing gates were closed we used the footbridge, pausing to watch a rather disappointing freight train pass. On the way we passed "The Spetchells". Artificial mounds created from lime slag used in the manufacture of munitions in WW2.
The station is next to the river and as any Geography teacher worth the jacket will tell you, railways follow valleys.
Leaving the Station we walked uphill through Prudhoe, passing the Doctor Syntax pub and the ruins of Prudhoe Castle, built in the 12th century for the Umphravilles.
Still on an upward path we turned right and, opposite St Mathew's Primary school, took to the fields.
Eventually we reached the top of the grassy hill and headed down to the farm at Durham Riding.
Durham Ridings
Beyond the farm we turned left and walked a muddy lane to Humble Farm. The neatly arranged stones at the entrance provided a good Herbie Spot. (scones, cherry Bakewells, cookies and, of course, sweet and savoury from Mrs A.)
Full we walked along the road for a short distance before entering fields on the right.
The almost invisible footpath took us to the hard to find entrance to Stanley Burn.
For a mile we followed the narrow track, up and down, crossing footbridges until we reached Stanley Bridge and a road.
We followed the road, passing Prudhoe golf course and then turned left to go round the waste disposal site. Just beyond that we turned right at a finger post, followed a woodland walk until we reached Hagg Bridge. From there it was a short walk back to the cars.
Some went to the Fox and Hounds which has TTL.
Contains OS data, copyright. Crown copyright and database right 2024
The walk is about 9.5 miles, easy going with a couple of steady climbs
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