Back in the Cheviots. (Northumberland) January 17th
For the first time this year we are off to the Cheviots to do a variation on a favourite walk; Carey Burn in Harthope Valley. Some readers will know it as well as we do. It's grandson Alex's favourite walk too.
Head north on the A1, turn onto the A697 north of Morpeth and once in Wooler, take the first left up Cheviot Street, follow the road to the first fork, go right and continue to the sign post pointing to Langleeford. Beyond Skirl Naked, down the hill, is a grass parking area on the right.
The map to use is OS OL 16 The Cheviot Hills.
(Breakfast today at The Terrace, nice little cafe on Wooler high street full of friendly ladies who admired the way Dave put our chairs back under the table.
Preparing for the off at Carey Burn Bridge. Not exactly a car park, but free!
On the car park side of the bridge is a gate and a sign post. We went through the gate and followed the footpath alongside the Carey Burn. The footpath is not marked on older maps but certainly exists as it winds its way up the valley. In a couple of places there is a mini scramble by the water's edge which didn't used to be a problem but seems to be getting increasingly difficult.
Carey Burn on a cold day in January.
Nobody resting in the shooters' hut today.
After last week's sodden ground the footpath today was fairly dry, much to our delight and we walked on in a well spread out line to the footbridge, crossed it, looking out as ever for trolls hiding beneath and continued on the path that climbs a little and then meets a good farm track which curves round to Broadstruther.
Although we had walked less than three miles we called a Herbie and sheltered behind the house. Apple and blackcurrant pies, biscuits, ginger biscuits from Ben, lemon slices and savoury scones from Mrs A. And soup for some rather than a sandwich.
Broadstruther. Used in season by shooting parties to rest after their ordeal.
Herbie over we followed the farm track south for a short distance before spotting the marker for the footpath that leads across the moor. Eventually the path joins a farm track and we walked on, pausing at a gate in the fence line. Normally at this point we turn north east and walk alongside the fence to the top of Cold Law but this path can be wet at the best of times so continued along the track alongside Hawson Burn.
Old boundary stone at 377 on the map
The track down is made up of small stones which can act as ball bearings, as Dave will testify but it does offer fine views across the Harthope Valley.
Fine view across the Harthope Valley
At a point on the left, marked, we left the track and followed a footpath through the heather until we reached the road in the valley bottom and turned left.
Not many walkers out today
Hedgehope
We all followed the road until we came to the farm at Langlee. At this point Harry and I decided to stay on the road back to the car. The tough boys opted to cross the Harthope Burn and walk the straight track which climbs the hillside diagonally, crosses fields and then goes through a wood and back to a footbridge near Carey Burn Bridge.
On the way home we stopped at The Shoulder of Mutton in Longhorsely which had Timothy Taylor's Landlord on draught! A grand Yorkshire Ale, so good I had another.
The short version of the walk, taken by Harry and I is just under 7 miles. The hard lads walked for 8 .4 miles.
For the first time this year we are off to the Cheviots to do a variation on a favourite walk; Carey Burn in Harthope Valley. Some readers will know it as well as we do. It's grandson Alex's favourite walk too.
Head north on the A1, turn onto the A697 north of Morpeth and once in Wooler, take the first left up Cheviot Street, follow the road to the first fork, go right and continue to the sign post pointing to Langleeford. Beyond Skirl Naked, down the hill, is a grass parking area on the right.
The map to use is OS OL 16 The Cheviot Hills.
(Breakfast today at The Terrace, nice little cafe on Wooler high street full of friendly ladies who admired the way Dave put our chairs back under the table.
On the car park side of the bridge is a gate and a sign post. We went through the gate and followed the footpath alongside the Carey Burn. The footpath is not marked on older maps but certainly exists as it winds its way up the valley. In a couple of places there is a mini scramble by the water's edge which didn't used to be a problem but seems to be getting increasingly difficult.
After last week's sodden ground the footpath today was fairly dry, much to our delight and we walked on in a well spread out line to the footbridge, crossed it, looking out as ever for trolls hiding beneath and continued on the path that climbs a little and then meets a good farm track which curves round to Broadstruther.
Herbie over we followed the farm track south for a short distance before spotting the marker for the footpath that leads across the moor. Eventually the path joins a farm track and we walked on, pausing at a gate in the fence line. Normally at this point we turn north east and walk alongside the fence to the top of Cold Law but this path can be wet at the best of times so continued along the track alongside Hawson Burn.
The track down is made up of small stones which can act as ball bearings, as Dave will testify but it does offer fine views across the Harthope Valley.
At a point on the left, marked, we left the track and followed a footpath through the heather until we reached the road in the valley bottom and turned left.
We all followed the road until we came to the farm at Langlee. At this point Harry and I decided to stay on the road back to the car. The tough boys opted to cross the Harthope Burn and walk the straight track which climbs the hillside diagonally, crosses fields and then goes through a wood and back to a footbridge near Carey Burn Bridge.
On the way home we stopped at The Shoulder of Mutton in Longhorsely which had Timothy Taylor's Landlord on draught! A grand Yorkshire Ale, so good I had another.
The short version of the walk, taken by Harry and I is just under 7 miles. The hard lads walked for 8 .4 miles.
Contains OS data, copyright. Crown copyright and database right 2020
Waterfall on Carey Burn
A rare breed of cattle, never seen
Footbridge on Carey Burn
And a view from the bridge
Dipper, taken with a compact camera
Looked cold!!!
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