Six set off for Slaley. (Northumberland)

Friday 13th January

MUD WARNING FOR MOST OF THIS WALK.

Slaley is a linear village on a hilltop near Hexham. Its name comes slaeve- lech, Old English for " muddy area on cleared ground." To reach the village take A69 west, A68 at Corbridge roundabout and at next roundabout turn off for Riding  Mill. Drive through the village and take the road on the left posted Slaley.

There are six out : Brian, Margaret, Ian,  Harry , John H and me.Morning coffee at Brockbushes Farm Shop at the Corbridge roundabout. Well worth a visit.

The walk is covered by OS 43 Hadrian's  Wall. And it would be very useful. Most of the walk is across fields or woodland tracks. Recent rain and the time of year ensure your boots will be muddy. Mostly well posted but some of the disc markers are faded, direction unclear. Furthermore there are many stiles, some ladder type but most are wooden steps and are in a poor state or slippy. take care, especially of your knees.

We parked on the main street by the church of St Mary the Virgin, an Anglican church dating back to 1832 but built on the site of an older Medieval place of worship.

St Mary's Church and a parking spot.

Booted and coated against the biting wind we set off east, passing the Community shop, the Community pub (Rose and Crown), the small school and the open square of bungalows for the elderly before turning left through a gate into a field. The first stile was fine but the second one was very wobbly, Harry and I wandered around, found we were actually in the wrong field and made use of a ladder stile. Heading North East we arrived at Peel Flatt farm, carefully watched by a lady who had the nerve to think we were lost. As if.

                                       Peel Flat.

We continued North East for a short distance before turning west and following the  Black Burn  to East Woodfoot the West Woodfoot. Turning north for a short distance on the farm road to a finger post we headed west to the B6306, close to the Traveller's Rest.Turning right at a junction we followed the track downhill towards the Devils Water. (Very muddy track too.)

                                            Devils Water.

We followed the footpath on the bank of the river  (Part of a Pennine Journey not the Pennine Way) for a while before settling on a fallen tree for a Herbie. (Apple pies, biscuits, sweet and savoury from Mrs A).

                            Packing up post Herbie.

We continued on the same Pennine Journey until we reached a junction at Redlead Mill. Offered a short cut to save 0.75 of a mile it was accepted  and we walked a soggy path South East past ancient lead mining works to Steel Hall.

                                       Once a hive of industry mining lead

                                                 Hall Burn off the Pennine Journey.

Walking through plantation and then field we arrived at Dukesfield  Hall, on to Middle Dukesfield , East Dukesfield, Palm Strothers and back to Slaley.

Changed we went to the Wellington in Riding Mill which had Blacksheep, an IPA and coffee for the drivers.

                           Contains OS data, copyright. Crown copyright and database right 2023.

The walk is about 9.5 miles. Easy going but muddy!