Gadgie Walks: The Belford four

The Belford four. May 31st

After more rain Brian, Margaret, Dave and I are looking for a walk with good, relatively mud free, tracks. St Cuthbert's Cave from Belford hopefully fits the bill.

Head north on the A1, turn off into the small town of Belford, turn left onto the Wooler road and park by the community hall for free.

OS explorer 340 Holy Island covers the walk. The walk to St. Cuthbert's Cave is a good standby in doubtful weather. Easy going, good paths and some excellent views.

Breakfast at Carnaby, cafe and shop, on the A1 just south of Belford. Friendly staff, mini John Deeres for the children.

Carnaby cafe and shop. Well worth a visit.

Not a winning car park. The hall needs some TLC.

The walk starts up the lane to the left of the run down hall. Passing West Hall, a fortified farm house, we went through a farmyard, headed across fields, passing a lime kiln and entered a wood. The footpath was a little muddy, not surprising considering the rain that fell earlier this week. At a junction we took the track on the left and soon reached Swinhoe Farm.

There must be a book on the lime kilns of Northumberland somewhere

A lady in a high viz jacket sitting near a pointer saying JMY said she was security but didn't seem to be too sure what she was securing.

Animal farm

At the farm we we took the track on the right, crossed a field and were in the wood surrounding Swinhoe Lake. Very little action on the water.

Swinhoe Lake.

Leaving the wood we crossed a field, disturbing a deer, before coming to another junction. From here there is a .grand view of the sea and Holy Island. Unfortunately a sea fret meant there was no panoramic vista.

We walked the track on the edge of fields, passing a private fishing pond. More woodland to Rabbit Hill (mile 4) where we turned south. The path that goes close to the pond at Holburn Moss is not posted, it's on the left above East Holburn Farm. The grassy track becomes a well worn footpath going close to Holburn Moss, home to several hundred gulls.

Holburn Moss and birds.

The path climbs steadily up Greensheen Hill to a trig. point. From here there is awide view of the Cheviot Hills, except today they are covered by low cloud.

Triangulation point on Greensheen Hill. Put out of business by GPS

Beyond the trig point the footpath goes on to a stile that takes walkers into the wood above St. Cuthbert's Cave.

St Cuthbert's Cave, Whether his body rested here on its journey to Durham or not, I'm not sure.

It made a sunny spot for a Herbie though. Apple pies, Bakewell slices and Mrs A's offering of sweet and savoury. There were quite a few families around, enjoying an rare sunny day. It is half term. A couple of women were doing the whole of St. Cuthbert's Way. (A long distance walk of 62 miles from Melrose in Scotland to Holy Island). Their partners had brought them a picnic lunch, with plates and everything.

Having sat in the sun for some time we headed along the track below the cave, passing Cockenheugh, another rocky outcrop.

Cockenheugh

Leaving the woods we crossed a field and found JMY. A couple of young men were laying some temporary hard standing for a film crew. They flatly refused to tell us what was to be filmed but there were lots of signs saying JMY.

Back at Swinhoe farm we went through the yard, past the riding school, climbed a hill and made our way back to Belford, passing West Hall again. On the way home we rehydrated at The Ridley Arms in Stannington. Blonde Star