Warkworth again

 Warkworth walk again. November 13th.

This is one of my favourite coadtal walks so I’m happy to stroll the sands and golf course again.  Follow the Northumberland Coast Route through Amble and on to Warkworth, pretty little town. Turn left just before the church and park by the River Coquet.

The walk is covered by OS Explorer 332 Alnwick and Amble but even for first timers it’s not essential.

Parking by the river, plenty of space and free.

Breakfast coffee at Bernard’s if needed but we six set off straight away along the bank of the River Coquet. The name Coquet comes possibly from Celtic Briton for Red River. After a few hundred yards we came to the old bridge, crossed it, crossed the road carefully as there is a bad bend, and headed up the road.

Built in the 14th century it lasted until the 1960s when the modern and not as pretty road bridge beside it was built.

We followed the road to the next carparks, and toilets, and continued down towards the dunes.

Reaching a gate on the right we followed the river, apparently next to it is one of the very few salt marshes in Northumberland.

Reaching the end of the dunes and almost the mouth of the river we joined the sandy beach and headed north.

The North Sea on a cold but sunny day.

Damp sand is easy to walk on and there were several happy dog walkers exercising their pets.

Approaching Birling Carrs we decided to take to the dunes, the rocks on the Carrs can be quite slippy.

We followed a footpath through the dunes and through the caravan park before descending to the beach agaion. As we reached the River Aln we turned inland and  climbed the short but steep path to the cross.

The cross marks the site of the original village church, St. St Waleric's, which was destroyed in the great storm of 1806.The storm also changed the course of the river, the original church being in the village.

Close to the cross is a Mortuary Chapel built in 1870 and ruined. A bench in front of it made a good Herbie spot. (Ginger biscuits, oat bars and Titans from ALDI)

The cross and the chapel. If you look at the map there is a little spike shoots off to the left, I think the GPS "had a moment".

Heading south after lunch we came to a new fence and a new gate. Going through the gate and following a narrow path next to the fence we joined The King Charles III England Coastal Path and followed it back to the caravan site.  The path passes the old guano shed, built in the 18th century on the bank of the river as it was before the storm. As the name suggests, it was for storing imported guano, used as fertiliser and it was well away from the village .

                         The ruins of the Guano shed

     

                                                                                                                                                                   Once through the gate we followed a path which swings round to the east eventually and goes under a bridge provided for the golfers, we were now on the Warkworth course.

Our path went under the bridge, should you be coming from the seaward side there is a bell to ring to warn golfers you may spoil their game.

                              Bridge and bell.

We followed the footpath on the edge of the golf course until we reached the path we had come down at the start.

Once changed we went to the Sun Hotel for tea and cakes then went home.

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An easy walk of about 9 miles, sea views and fields and golf.

Belsay and Milbourne

 Belsay and Milbourne November 6th

We have not done this walk for a while but today nine of us are setting out for a farmland walk from Belsay. To get to the start go through Ponteland village on the A696 and continue  past the Hawk Inn and the Highlander Inn to Belsay. Turn left by the entrance to Belsay Hall and park on the roadside close to the Blacksmiths cafe for breakfast.

The walk is covered by OS Explorer 316 Newcastle upon Tyne and is useful although there are plenty of markers. (And stiles)

              Roadside parking near the Blacksmiths cafe.

Booted and fed we set off down the road in the above photo which leads to Beechfield Farm, which has an old MG. 

On the way to the farm we passed the Belsay woodland burial ground.

Back on the road soon, hopefully

We walked through the farm yard, through a gate and started a trek over fields, heading a little west of south, crossed a stream and started a couple of miles of road walking past West Newham farm and on to Robsheugh Farm. Beyond that farm we turned left back into fields and headed for High House.

A few hundred yards before the High House we spotted a pile of logs, some of which had been cut into moveable sections so we lined them up against the fence and sat down for a Herbie. (Little birthday cakes and Mrs A's offering of sweet and savoury.

High House Horse and a proper stile.

Moving on we walked through woodland behind Milbourne House, seeing only from the back.

                       Back of Milbourne Hall built in 1807

Out of focus woodland at Milbourne Hall

Having crossed a couple of fields we came to the village of Milbourne, reaching the road near the church.

Holy Saviour church, Milbourne dates from 1869.

Not far down the village road  we came to the Milbourne Methodist Chapel. We took the footpath on the left  and after a short climb through woodland came to open fields.

Milbourne Methodist Chapel, 1903.

 Crossing the fields we reached the farm at East Newham which has:

A well? Not in use but there is an old electric motor on one side.

Turning left on the road we reached Middle Newham and a footpath on the right  which passes a few bumps of earth which are the site of a Medieval Village. Another marked track across fields  and we were back at East Beechfield Farm and the road back to the cars. And back into the cafe for tea and cakes! And home.

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The walk is a little under 9 miles, easy going apart from some stiles which need repairing.

              Distant view of Belsay Hall. The house is open to the skies, there is also acastle and a beautiful Quarry Garden

                                     This stile is a disgrace

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.

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