A Tale of two Castles  or Autumn on the South Tyne (Northumberland)         October 14th

A midweek walk for Brian, Margaret, Dave and i, walking from Haltwhistle to Lambley and back.

Haltwhistle is easy to find, go west on the A69  and turn into the town. Take the second junction on the right and make use of the free parking just off road above Sainsbury's supermarket.

The walk is covered by OS Explorer OL 43 Hadrian's Wall. You could do this walk without a map it's straight forward.

We are promised a fine day, light breeze and a few showers.

Off road and free parking in Haltwhistle. Looks like Margaret is practising a snooker shot, Dave is examining his rucksack which is rather like a Tardis.

The walk:

having booted up we walked downhill to Haltwhistle high street and headed for the Pillar Box, small cafe with friendly staff and a huge sausage sandwich. Wish I had had one. Having devoured breakfast we walked to the railway station and crossed the line by way of the footbridge. (To the east of the station is a short road tunnel (bridge?) if you prefer). We crossed the River Tyne and the old village bypass and headed for the more modern bypass  (A69), busy so cross with care. At this point we were close to Bellister Castle but it was hidden by trees.

                         A view from a bridge.

Once across the road we walked a short distance up the Plenmeller (Welsh blaen Moelfre from 1256 AD).

On the right is the entrance to the walk on the old South Tyne Railway that used to run to Alston but suffered under Beeching. Part of it, near Alston is a narrow gauge tourist attraction.) This path, part rough track, part metalled goes all the way to Lambley Viaduct. It rises gently and passes through open countryside, an easy walk through old stations, fields and woodland.

                               Keeping to the straight and narrow

                              Bug hotel at the start of the railway walk.

A set of buffers, relic of the old railway.

Approaching Lambley Viaduct the line is high above the river South Tyne with views across the valley.

              The village of Lambley (OE lamb pasture) from across the valley.

The viaduct is worth the walk. wonderful piece of Victorian engineering. It is blocked at the far end, behind the gates is a private house.

                         Looking down from the viaduct onto the South Tyne

Close to this plaque is a gate leading down to the river.

Through the gate we headed downhill. There is a junction where you can choose to go up to Lambley village, turn off for the railway walk to Slaggyford or continue all the way to the bottom.

Viaduct from the river's edge. Footbridge just visible on the left. The man is salmon fishing. He didn't catch anything while we were there.

We crossed the river on the footbridge, turned left, walked through woodland to fields and settled down near an old felled tree for a Herbie.

Today's sharing: bramley and blackcurrant pies, Mr Kipling chocolate slices and mince pies and flapjack with a sprinkling of parmesan from Mrs A.

Hopefully there is a video at the end!

Lunch over we continued our way along the river bank. The footpath crosses fields and eventually arrives at a WW2 prisoner of war camp. There is not much left.

                                             South Tyne

                 

              I think that during the war it housed Italian POWs but..

                                .......after the war.

Not far from the old camp we passed Featherstone Castle which is used for party weekends, weddings and such, but not at the moment.

                  Featherstone Castle. 13th century origins but mostly 18th and 19th century additions.

Close to the castle we joined the road and walked it as far as Bridge End where we crossed the river.

                   Bridge at Bridge End and view from the bridge.

Once across the bridge we went through the gate on the right and followed the track to the farm at Wydon Eals. From here we struggled through muddy fields and muddy woodland to the next farm, Wydon. A slightly less muddy road from this farm brought us a path under the A69 and back to Haltwhistle. Changed we headed for the Twice Brewed pub on the Military Road (B6318). The pub has its own small brewery and had four hand pulled beers on offer. And coffee or tea for drivers.

There was some discussion about the actual length of the walk but I claim 10.4 miles.

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