Gadgie Walks: Back to the Coquet

Saturday, 15 November 2025

Back to the Coquet

Back to the Coquet, November 14th

A walk we did earlier this year, and why not.

Starting and finishing in Rothbury the walk goes through Pondicherry, Thropton and Tosson, following fields and forest trails.

There is a large car park south of the River Coquet in Rothbury and it's free.

The maps needed are: OS OL 42 Kielder Forest and OS Explorer 332 Alnwick and Ambl

Car park and Coquet.

After breakfast in the Newcastle Arms we set off west along Rothbury's wide main street and took the right fork towards the hamlet of Pondicherry. (mile 1) Although this hamlet is first mentioned in 1765 I can't find any definite link between it and the French colony of the same name in India. It could,apparently, be just a local name.

Beyond it the track crosses several fields, is a straight line and has some proper stiles.

Compare and contrast as they used to ask in GCE *English Language exams.

We passed the empty Alpaca field and an ancient fort, possibly stone age but as Dave wasn't with us nobody could be sure and he couldn't have his alpaca joke.

We reached Physic Lane, a name that has always intrigued, turned left and headed ownhill to Thropton.

Crossing the Wreigh Burn by the footbridge alongside the road bridge we crossed the road too and followed the burn to the River Coquet.

River Coquet. Referred to in the 8th century as" Coccuueda" Bede names it "Cocuedi fluminus" which possibly means Red River.

Once across we headed over soggy fields to a road, turned right then left, passing the Tosson Lime Kiln.

Tosson Lime Kiln. There is a picnic spot at the top and a view inside the kiln. But not today.

Passing through Great Tosson, a hamlet, we paused to admire the Tosson Tower, or at least its ruins.

Tosson Tower, 14th century bastle house

At a point not far from the tower we went through a gate on the right and started the long steady climb through the plantations on the side of Simonside. Then we came down again. Deciding there was nowhere to sit for lunch at the first car park we continued on a narrow footpath to a spot with a large rock and several tree stumps and declared it Herbie Time. Cherry Bakewells, cookies, cake and sweet and sweet and savoury from Mrs A.

Lunch over, and a short break as it was getting cold we walked a hundred nyards or so on the road and then took the posted path on the left through a wood before crossing several fields to Whitton Hillhead. From here we followed the track to Whitton, passing Sharps Folly and finally took the road back to the car park and home.

Dr. Sharp's Folly. Started in 1720 by Dr Thomas Sharp as an observatory and also to provide work for unemployed people in the area it was completed in 1754. The oldest folly in Northumberland.