Gadgie Walks

The Heritage Way. Northumberland /Gateshead November 5th.

The Heritage way is a series of walks stretching north of the Tyne to south of the Wear. Today's walk, starting from Wylam in Northumberland but mostly in Gateshead is a section of it.

Six of us out today; me, Harry, Ben, John H, John C and Ian.

The walk is covered by OS Explorer 316 Newcastle upon Tyne and is more than useful. The Heritage Way is well signposted but the map is still advisable.

To get to the start, A69 west, turn off at signpost for Wylam, drive through the village, turning left at the Fox and Hounds and just before the bridge over the River Tyne there is a car park on the left. It is free!

Wylam car park near the river.

Leave the car park and head for the bridge crossing the Tyne, watch out for a heron near the water, there is one usually. Pass the Boathouse pub (crime) and walk on to the last house. On the right is the first stile of the day and a sign post. The path is interesting, wide enough for two but fenced securely on both sides. This is because Daniel Farm rears deer for venison, you can see them in fields on both sides of the path. And a rather handsome Belted Galloway bull.

Deer, bull, deer.

Beyond the farm continue through fields and woodland to Bradley Hall farm and follow the footpath across Bradley Park to the A695. A busy road, cross with care and follow the track directly opposite to Bradley Fell.

Turn right here on to the delightfully named Kyo Bog Lane and then almost immediately take the footpath across fields to Bradley Fell Road. So far the walk has climbed, sometimes gently sometimes steeply.

Turn left on Bradley Fell Road then right then left onto Buck's Nook Lane, another great name. Follow the lane, uphill still before spotting the sign post that takes you across fields to Penny Hill.

Out of focus but I'm only a snapper, not a photographer!

At Penny Hill turn left by the electricity sub station then right then left again towards Coalburn Farm. Watch out for the footpath, the jolly farmer's wife explained we were slightly off piste but as long as we shut gates she didn't mind. The track heads east and then across fields to Strothers Farm.

here the trail turns north west, crossing fields where there alpacas and donkeys.

Had Dave been with us he would have wittily said "You can call me Al"

Donkeys, not for riding.

The path here needs care, it crosses fields, turns sharply and heads for Spenside Farm. Beyond this farm

it follows the Barrow Burn through a short stretch of woodland before heading north towards Reeley Mires Farm and a small park in the town of Greenside where we finally stopped for a Herbie after 7 miles.

Apart from Remembrance Day poppies Greenside had this poster. Never seen one before.

Rather limited gifts today, Whip biscuits, Ben's gingers and cookies. Mrs A is away.

Walk up the main street of Greenside. At the end turn right into Jacky's Plantation, turn left and follow the Coalway Lane downhill. This lane is narrow, has a surface of cobbles and needs care, especially when the ground is covered in leaves.

At the bottom cross the A695 again with care and take the road to Crawcrook. At Tenter Hills take the footpath on the left which goes through woodland next to Bradley Gardens, passes Daniel Farm again and hits the road back to the car park.