Wallington II

Wallington II November 1st

We first did this walk round Wallington Hall in spring when there were large patches of croci and snowdrops. It was so enjoyable we thought to do it again and again our guide is John.

We parked at Scots Gap, behind what was once the National Trust office. Head north on the A1, turn off onto A697, turn off for Pigdon and head through Mitford and Hartburn to Scots Gap. Through the village, on the right is the car park.

Another action packed car park scene

There are ten of us out today, gadgies, gadgettes and greens. We started off on the Wannee Line, a dismantled railway at the back of the car park, took the left junction, took a footpath off to the left and headed up hill to Newbiggin House and on to Saugh House.

Here we left the trail briefly to see the stone commemorating the preaching of John WQEsley on this spot in 1792.

                     It is upright really.

Back on the path across fields  we headed to Prior Hall, turned right and crossed a field to admire the Arches.

              Originally the entrance to the coach house at Wallington Hall they proved to be a bit narrow and were taken to this spot as a folly

Returning to Prior Hall we followed a good farm track for a while before heading roughly south est  over fields  and then south west to the East Wood at Wallington.

Having followed a path through the woods, walking a circle we climbed the stile (first of many) by the Garden House and headed for the road. Entering the wood by the River Wansbeck most people bravely used the stepping stones, a lone walker followed the road and we all met up by the road bridge.

A lovely autumn stroll through the wood brought us to a footbridge and a picnic spot. (Not a gadgie walk, no sharing)

                     Bridge over Wansbeck water.

Fed and rested we moved on through the woods near the hall, stopping to view the entrance to the ice house and several other attractions.

                                                   The ice house entrance

Reaching a track that is apparently only for cyclists  we turned left, then right through a short section of woodland  before climbing stiles to reach the village of Cambo.

          Top:  A dolphin fountain in Cambo                                                                                                                            Bottom: The old school house. "Capability" Brown attended the school

The  village has a fine terrace of houses built for estate workers. One is called The Two Queens. Once a coaching innit closed in 1846 when Sir Walter Trevelyan. President of the United Kingdom Alliance for the total suppression of the liquor traffic inherited the estate.

The village church is 19th century.

Crossing fields back to Saugh House  we walked the road back to Scots Gap One field we crossed once had 15 coal pits in i. now pasture. From the car park we retired to  the Dyke Neuk, a pub, restaurant and hotel.

Contains OS data, copyright. Crown copyright and database right 2026

The walk is about7.5 miles , easy going and very interesting

Long Pasture and Wingates and cows

 Long Pasture and Wingates and cows October 30th

AND MUD

A repeat again but getting out is the important side of things. After a wet and windy week in the UK we are off from the village of Longhorsely in Northumberland.

North on the A1, turn onto the A697, stop for coffee and bacon at Heighley Gate garden centre then on to the village. There is limited parkingif you turn left off the A697 then turn left again, otherwise on the road side.

The map to use is OS Explorer 325 Morpeth and Blyth.

                                 Getting ready for the off

We headed west and immediately came to Horsely Toer.

Horsely Tower, early 16th century with pele tower. The top floor was used as an RC chapel in 17th to early 19th century when St Thomas of Canterbury RC church was built. (1841)

After a hundred yards or so we came to  Archie's pond and a good footpath through woodland close to the road.

It didn't look very deep

Leaving the wood some of us crossed a field to Viewlaw farm, walked through the yard and into fields. Some had walked further along the road and crossed a field to the farm but we all met up.

The next two miles were across fields, quite easy going until we reached the village of Wingates.

On the way we passed a friendly herd of cows and some horses.

 Outside what had probably been the old school there was a bench and table and although we had only covered a little over three miles it was Herbie time.

               Apple pies, flapjacks and Mrs A's sweet and savoury.

After a chat with a friendly cyclist and having finished lunch we set off again, going throgh Wingates South Farm and on to Wingates Moor. The moor is used as pasture for cattle, the fields are a bit lumpy and bumpy. At mile 5 we turned south east, passing Rayburn Lake  and crossing a road to Doe Hill Farm. Plenty of young cows kept in semi open sheds.

                          They got quite excited and ran around, perhaps they thought we were bringing food.

Beyond the farm we followed the very straight Linkham Lane, a track, but when we reached a road we turned left, walked the edge of Hare Dean, negotiating several stiles until we found the entrance to the wood. The descent is very steep but somebody has installed a rope next to the earthen steps.

                It reminded some of us of the Yorkshire Wolds walk.

Once in the valley we followed a barely visible footpath through long grass, crossed a road and came to Muckley. A couple of fields and stiles later we arrived at the road to Longhorsely.

Contains OS data, copyright. Crown copyright and database right 2026

The walk is 10 miles, easy going apart from a couple of Lauder grass fields but a good walk nevertheless. Muddy in places too. And lots of stiles.

Coffe, cheese and stiles

 Coffee,  cheese and stiles. October 16th

It’s been some time since we walked from Stanningto, a. Village a few miles north of Newcastle, just off the A1. There is a large car park next to that well known post walk watering hole the Ridley Arms, free. The walk is covered by OS Explorer 332 Morpeth an Blyth, recommended.

Car park next to the Ridley Arms, Stannington. Needs cropping

Once booted and stick adjusted we set off south on what was the A1 main road to Scotland before the dual carriageway A1 replaced it. Soon we were on the footpath alongside the traffic heavy A1 and stayed with it until we turned in at the first entrance to the Blagdon estate, home of the Ridley family.

                   We were not after Bridal attire

From here we followed roads and tracks passing the New Kennels, the Home farm and the delightfully named Bog House until we reached the Northumberland Cheese Company.

                                    No numbers on the lottery this week, again

                                     Late breakfast spot

Having covered almost three miles we stopped for breakfast, the cafe is upstairs but we made use of the tables outside the weather being mild. It used to be possible to watch the cheese makers through a glass sheet in the cafe floor, not sure it’s still there.

Break over we walked to the road, turned right and crossed the young River Blyth over the Bellasis Bridge. It’s very narrow, only one car at a time and a bit tricky for cyclists too as the hump blocks the view.

                                  The baby river Blyth

                               Bellasis Bridge

Just over the bridge we took the footpath on the right to Bellasis Farm, through a wood and headed north across fields.

Meeting a road we turned left, then right then left again towards Middle Duddo.

 Leaving the road we crossed fields and stiles to The Villas. Once a hospital, now an estate of houses it has a single bench, utilised for a Herbie. (Latte tarts, and sweet and savoury from Mrs A).

                    The  Villas and a rucksack

Taking the road east out of The Villas we spotted the footpath on the right taking us for a short time on Catraw Burn and then across or round several fields back to Stannington and the Ridley Arms.

Contains OS data, copyright. Crown copyright and data base right 2026

The walk is about 9.5 miles, easy going but with stiles a plenty, and some gates.