Gadgie Walks: Walking out with Amy

Saturday, 4 October 2025

Walking out with Amy

Walking out with Amy. October 3rd.

The jovial jock on local TV promises us that at sometime today we will encounter the latest storm from the Atlantic, called Amy.

Rather than be stuck in the hills we have opted for a walk near home, starting from Wylam in the Tyne Valley. Easy to find, head west on the A69 and turn off at the signpost for Wylam. Head for the railway station, just before the bridge over the river there is a large, free car park.

The walk is covered by OS Explorer 316 Newcastle upon Tyne.

Breakfast in the Coffee Tree on Wylam Main Street.

However, to save time after the walk, especially as we were promised rain, we parked on the road behind the Fox and Hounds pub. surprise, surprise.

Top, behind the Fox and Hounds, bottom the car park near the river.

From the pub we walked down the road to the bridge, but not across it. We took to the footpath under the bridge which, walking west eventually joins the path on the old railway track which crosses Hagg Bank Bridge.

The railway went years ago, the bridge remains. The locals climb across the arches, gadgies don't.

The Tyne from Hagg Bank Bridge.

on the southy bank of the river we walked along a footpath close to the bank before having to follow a road close to the Spetchells and a field or two.

A path up to the Spetchells. A man made mound of calcium carbonate, a waste product from the manufacture of fertiliser and explosives in WW2. It is now wooded and planted, a nature reserve.

Beyond the Spetchells we arrived at The Tyneside Riverside Country Park, near Prudhoe Station. A cafe, toilets and play area. The bridge across the river to Ovingham is narrow, traffic controlled by lights, and there is a pedestrian bridge too. Over we went to Ovingham, walked round the wall surrounding Mary the Virgin church and made use of the proper stile that took us into fields and on the way to Whittle Dene.

St Mary the Virgin church Ovingham. The tower is late Saxon, the rest from 13th century onwards.

The path through Whittle Dene climbs slowly, passing several chalets and a couple of ruins. left over from days of industry.

Autumn in Whittle Dene.

As we neared the top of the dene Amy arrived, not too windy but steady rain. Moist but determined we walked on, crossing the A69 (by bridge fortunately) and walking along what was probably the old road.

Reaching a bridge carrying the A69 we decided to stay dry and have a Herbie beneath it.

Apple pies, flapjacks, sweet and savoury from Mrs A.

After lunch we headed on for Horsley. At the east end of the village, and difficult to spot is a finger post directing walkers to Wylam. A narrow, fenced footpath leads to fields. At the bottom of the first there is an electric fence. The farmer has put insulation on one short section but I think I accidently put my walking pole on the wire. It didn't hurt.

After crossin a tiny burn we walked round fields to the road going down to Wylam. At the first junction we took the paths through an estate and were soon back at the cars. Boots changed, wet coats removed we went to the Fox and Hounds which serves TTL and zero Guinness.