& Visitor. Events Guide SPRING / SUMMER 2017 FREE GUIDE WHAT S ON WHERE TO GO WHAT TO SEE. guided walks stargazing astrophotography & more

Transcription

1 & Visitor Events Guide SPRING / SUMMER 2017 FREE GUIDE WHAT S ON WHERE TO GO WHAT TO SEE guided walks stargazing astrophotography & more

2 To EDINBURGH BERWICK-UPON-TWEED 35 4 National Park Information Point Holy Island (Lindisfarne) A1 B6 A6 98 Northumberland National Park A1 Find your adventure in Northumberland National Park COLDSTREAM 3 B6 MILFIELD 3 B6 B AKELD WOOLER COLLEGE VALLEY HARTHOPE VALLEY B B LONGWITTON 6 WEST WOODBURN B6342 SCOTS GAP A69 B6320 A A189 TYNEMOUTH NEWCASTLE WALLSEND SOUTH SHIELDS CORBRIDGE To BLANCHLAND 2 A695 A68 PRUDHOE A1 HEXHAM A19 86 A69 9 A1 A6 A189 8 To ALLENDALE 96 B6318 ACOMB HAYDON BRIDGE B6305 A6 BARDON MILL 8 HALTWHISTLE A19 A6 A69 WALL BLYTH CRAMLINGTON NEWCASTLE AIRPORT PONTELAND CHOLLERFORD B63 18 A69 B6309 HALLINGTON RESERVOIR Brocolitia THE SILL A1 WARK BROOMLEE LOUGH WHALTON BELSAY SIMONBURN GREENLEE LOUGH ASHINGTON A197 MORPETH 24 B65 BOLAM LAKE SWEETHOPE LOUGHS B A1 BELLINGHAM Steel Housesteads Rigg 68 A610 NORTHUMBERLAND A69 FALSTONE GREENHAUGH STONEHAUGH LONGHORSLEY FONTBURN RESERVOIR A1 KIELDER WATER & FOREST PARK ELSDON B133 7 B OTTERBURN A1 KIELDER LONGFRAMLINGTON SIMONSIDE HILLS DARDEN LOUGH A697 ROCHESTER B AMBLE 45 B63 ROTHBURY A6 FOREST DRIVE (TOLL ROAD) CUMBRIA B6 A BYRNESS ALNMOUTH Coquet island HARBOTTLE THROPTON OTTERBURN RANGES (MOD) CATCLEUGH RESERVOIR To CARLISLE A6 ALNWICK NETHERTON ALWINTON A6088 A69 POWBURN INGRAM B1339 BREAMISH VALLEY UPPER COQUETDALE GILSLAND EMBLETON B1340 SCOTLAND e GREENHEAD BEADNELL A B6 JEDBURGH Cawfields Walltown Quarry Country Park 42 B13 4 B63 B1340 KIRK YETHOLM B64 BAMBURGH SEAHOUSES BELFORD 49 B63 KIRKNEWTON 6 43 B6 TOWN YETHOLM Farne Islands 5 FORD A69 KELSO B A6 GATESHEAD To DURHAM To SUNDERLAND

3 CONTENTS 02 MAP 03 WELCOME 04 THE SILL NATIONAL LANDSCAPE DISCOVERY CENTRE 05 WALLTOWN QUARRY COUNTRY PARK 06 INFORMATION POINTS 07 OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION 08 HADRIAN S WALL COUNTRY 10 NORTH TYNE & REDESDALE 12 COQUETDALE 14 THE CHEVIOTS 16 CALENDAR OF SHOWS & EVENTS 18 TOP 10 PICNIC & HISTORICAL SITES 20 INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY PARK 22 NATURE NOTES & FARMING 24 POEMS IN THE AIR 25 NORTHUMBERLAND NATIONAL PARK SPRING /SUMMER 2017 EVENTS WELCOME Often described as the land of the far horizon, there is a wild beauty in Northumberland National Park that bestows a sense of wellbeing just from being immersed in open and tranquil countryside, surrounded by the sounds and sights of nature and the stars above. Northumbrians are passionate about their way of life and take pride in sharing it with you. You ll discover wonderful food, enjoy local festivals and be able to explore ancient sites of international significance. Picturesque towns and villages will provide everything you need to make your stay special. We are not standing still. This summer will see the opening of the Sill - National Landscape Discovery Centre on Hadrian s Wall. In partnership with the YHA, and generously supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, this new discovery centre with its year-round programme of events will transform how people of all ages will understand and explore the landscapes, history and heritage of Northumberland and the wider North East. We look forward to seeing you soon. 3 Upper Coquetdale

4 THE SILL NATIONAL LANDSCAPE DISCOVERY CENTRE Opening in the summer of 2017, the Sill is named after the famous geological feature, The Whin Sill, upon which the Emperor Hadrian built his Wall in AD122. The Sill invites you to explore Northumberland National Park and other protected landscapes in the region, with a walk-on grass roof and public viewing platform overlooking the Wall and surrounding countryside. An amazing interactive exhibition will help explain how our landscapes have changed over thousands of years, and how they continue to evolve. You will be able to relax in comfort and savour the local food being served in the café. Knowledgeable and friendly staff will help you get the best out of your day, with an exciting, new retail area selling a wide range of locally crafted gifts. Part of the building will be a new 86-bed Youth Hostel. Youth Hostel The Centre will be a great destination for all the family, but the Sill project will also provide you with exceptional experiences that introduce you to the natural beauty and fascinating human history of this area. Keep an eye on our website or find out more when you visit The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre, about the year-round programme of events that will hopefully inspire you try something new, or deepen your interest in the great outdoors even further. OPENING SUMMER 2017 i Exhibition & Shop cafe The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre is generously funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund 4

5 WALLTOWN QUARRY COUNTRY PARK i Our Information team are on hand to help you plan your day with useful information and local insight.they can also book you onto any Northumberland National Park event, including volunteer led walks and stargazing activities.there is also free Wi-Fi and a range of locally sourced gifts and refreshments on offer. Walks Toilets Walltown Quarry Country Park Nr Greenhead Hadrian s Wall CA8 7JD T: E: visit@nnpa.org.uk April - October: Daily 9.30am - 5pm Winter: Weekends only 10am - 3pm Accessible by the AD122 Bus DUCKS Refreshments 1 hour drive from Newcastle 1/2 hour drive from Carlisle Great Picnic spot Walltown in Summer - Look out for the beautiful wildflowers here in early June! 5

6 NATIONAL PARK INFORMATION POINTS National Park Information Points are located in friendly local businesses, such as pubs and tea rooms and have a small range of visitor information about attractions and walks in the vicinity. Look out for the signs when you are out and about. The Locations are on the map on page 2. i Valley Cottage Cafe Ingram NE66 4LT T: Cafe Maelmin Milfield NE71 6JD T: The Border Hotel Kirk Yetholm TD5 8PQ T: Wooler Tourist Information Centre NE71 6BL T: The Rose & Thistle Inn Alwinton NE65 7BQ T: The Star Inn Harbottle NE65 7DG T: Coquetdale Centre Tomlinsons Rothbury NE65 7UP Old School Tea Room Falstone NE48 1AA T: Camien Cafe Rochester NE19 1RH T: Old School House Tea Room Elsdon NE19 1AA T: Opening summer 2017 Greenhead Tea Room Greenhead CA8 7HE T: The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre Hadrian s Wall NE47 7AN 6 Simonburn Tea Rooms Simonburn NE48 3AW T:

7 OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION... When you are out and about you may bump into one of our National Park Rangers, who are always happy to stop for a chat about what to see and do in the area. For more information about their work, rangers@nnpa.org.uk Northumberland National Park Rangers and Volunteers i Our National Park Volunteers of all ages are involved in a wide arrange of activities, whether it is working with specialist staff in the care and conservation of the natural heritage, or leading a guided walk or helping out with school visits. All of them share a passion for the area and will go that extra mile to make the best of your day. Many of the events in this programme are led by volunteers, see pages 25 to 47 for details. For more information about volunteering, volunteer@nnpa.org.uk Downloading Information We wish we could say that mobile phone coverage in the National Park is wonderful, but sadly it isn t and Wi-Fi is also limited in places. However many of our favourite circular walks in the National Park are on View Ranger App. View Ranger allows you to download their landscape map; a free terrain map for offline viewing without a mobile or data signal. Based on Open Street Map, it shows contours, peaks, lakes, and popular trails. Download the free ViewRanger App: Northumberland National Park Walks on View Ranger 7 SALLY (Ranger) Ordnance Survey Maps JANE (Ranger) For walks in remote upland areas, we always advise that you use the appropriate Ordnance Survey Explorer Map for the area. The main OS Maps for Northumberland National Park are: Hadrian s Wall: OS Explorer OL43 1:25000 Kielder Water & Forest (and Simonside Hills): OS Explorer OL42 1:25000 The Cheviot Hills: OS Explorer OL16 1:25000 Download the OS Map App: os-maps-mobile.html

8 HADRIAN S WALL COUNTRY Hadrian s Wall World Heritage Site, as Britain s largest and longest ancient monument is a must-see experience! This mammoth feat of engineering only took three legions of Romans around six years to build and the best bit is arguably in Northumberland National Park will also mark the 30th anniversary since the monument was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. See what the Romans did for us in the fascinating museums at Birdoswald, Carvoran, Vindolanda, Housesteads and Chesters including the less known small mithraic temple site at Brocolitia. A short stroll up from The Sill is Steel Rigg offering amazing views and a classic photo opportunity against the crags of the Whin Sill. Or you could see it all by walking the 84 mile Hadrian s Wall Path National Trail or cycling the 174 mile coast-to-coast Hadrian s Cycleway (R.72). There are some very picturesque towns and villages such as Greenhead, Simonburn, Haltwhistle and Hexham to pop into for that local flavour. Look out for a major new exhibition celebrating Hadrian s Cavalry regiments that once guarded this Roman frontier (8 April - 10 September). Cawfields A Guided Walk at Walltown 8 Milecastle 39 and Hadrian s Wall

9 P Hadrian s Wall Car Park Information Point Birdoswald Gilsland HADRIAN S P WALL Greenhead TO CARLISLE River Irthing WALLTOWN Housesteads Northumberland National Park STEEL RIGG CAWFIELDS P Key Hadrian s Wall Sites Carvoran Roman Army Museum See what is was like to be a Roman soldier on the Wall. (CA8 7JD) Vindolanda Roman Fort & Museum Home to the famous Vindolanda tablets. Live Digs throughout summer. (NE47 7JN) Housesteads Roman Fort & Museum One of the best preserved forts on the Wall. Fine views. (NE47 6NN) Brocolitia Roman Temple Temple of Mithras with numerous alters. OS GR: NY (NE46 4DB) Greenlee Lough National Nature Reserve Glacial lake, reached by a walk through reed beds to the bird hide. OS GR: NY P THE SILL P P BROCOLITIA HOUSESTEADS TO NEWCASTLE Your Chariots Await! Hadrian s Wall Bus AD122: An hourly service between Hexham and Haltwhistle, visiting all the main Roman attractions and The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre, between Easter and the end of September. Bus Route 185, Bus Route 10 and Tynedale Express services provide connections to the AD122 Bus. The Tyne Valley Train Service connects with the AD122 Bus service at Haltwhistle and Hexham. Parking made easy A One Year Hadrian s Wall Car Park Pass can save you money and can be used at all six National Park car parks along Hadrian s Wall every day of the year and costs 30. The car parks are at: Walltown (CA8 7JD) Cawfields (NE46 4EJ) Steel Rigg (NE47 7AN) The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre (NE47 7AN) * Opening Summer 2017 Housesteads (NE47 6NN) Brocolitia (NE46 4DB) You can buy the Hadrian s Wall car park pass from Walltown Quarry Country Park, Haltwhistle Library and Tourist Information Centre, Haltwhistle Post Office and Housesteads Shop. Greenlee Lough 9

10 Skimming stones, River North Tyne Elsdon, historic capital of Redesdale NORTH TYNE AND REDESDALE There s a wonderful charm about the valleys of the North Tyne and Rede; here sheep farming, timber production and wildlife conservation go hand-in-hand. Large forests provide red squirrels with a secure home. You may even catch a glimpse of otters or salmon leaping in the rivers. Scattered through this untamed landscape, once home to notorious Border Reiver clans, are ruined castles and historic bastles (fortified farmhouses). Follow the Bastle Trail starting at Greenhaugh, or imagine the scene in front of the Percy Cross, near Otterburn, that commemorates the fierce 14th century Anglo-Scottish battle that took place nearby. Hareshaw Linn waterfall Bellingham, often regarded as the capital of the North Tyne, is a picturesque town with shops, cafes, and a fascinating Heritage Centre that tells the story of the Border Reivers. Why not take a picnic and walk up to Hareshaw Linn, through ancient woodland to reach the 30ft waterfall. Elsdon, near Otterburn, has many medieval buildings around a village green. There are some lovely family walks to explore. Further up the North Tyne Valley towards Kielder Water & Forest Park, take time to discover the wild secrets of the Tarset valley and Falstone, where you ll experience fine views and warm hospitality in local pubs and tearooms. 10

11 Information Point TO JEDBURGH Northumberland National Park TO ROTHBURY Otterburn Ranges - red flag flying today so please keep out of the Controlled Access Area! Northumberland National Park Public Transport TO HEXHAM You can plan your journey by public transport in Northumberland by using Traveline North East.Traveline is provided by a partnership of councils and public transport operators, and includes details for stops on all routes throughout North East England. Traveline: Bastle Trail Gatehouse North Bastle House Otterburn Ranges Otterburn Ranges is a Military Training Area and one of England s remotest upland regions.the breathtaking landscape is rich in history and wildlife, and offers you miles of wild walks and cycle rides. Firing Notices governing public access are published fortnightly in advance and are posted in local National Park Information Points and online. You can also view them by scanning this QR code on your phone. Otterburn Ranges Firing Times There are two zones on Otterburn Ranges where different access arrangements apply. 1. The OPEN ACCESS AREA You are free to explore this area any day of the year. 2. The CONTROLLED ACCESS AREA When red flags are flying on the edge of this area the roads are CLOSED. Training with live ammunition is taking place. NOTE: When no red flags are flying you can drive, ride or walk along the footpaths and bridleways in this area. Do obey all signs and red flags on the Otterburn Ranges. If in any doubt about access please contact the Training Safety officer on:

12 Coquetdale On the banks of the River Coquet, the charming town of Rothbury provides a gateway into the brooding Simonside Hills and glorious Upper Coquet Valley. This traditional, but vibrant little town hosts its own walking and music festivals during the summer months. The Simonside Hills is proper heather country, dotted with rugged sandstone crags amongst the purple hues, offering outstanding views across the Cheviots to the north. Head up into remote Upper Coquetdale and discover some really magnificent countryside. In June, the hay meadows around Barrowburn are full of wildflowers and a joy to see. Follow the river back down to Alwinton, the start of numerous breathtaking high hills walks, and home every October to the famous Border Shepherd s Show. There is a great family circular walk, starting from Harbottle which takes in the mythical Drake Stone overlooking the village and it s 12th century castle (ruins). Further down the valley is Holystone and the Lady s Well, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The 17th century Woodhouses Bastle (fortified farmhouse) is close by. The Sandstone Way Mountain Bike Trail passes through Coquetdale, go to: Alwinton Rothbury 12 River Coquet

13 Lordenshaws cup & rings Information Point Northumberland National Park Barrowburn Ingram TO JEDBURGH Byrness Otterburn Ranges Rochester TO MORPETH Otterburn Darden Lough Elsdon TO HEXHAM Transport The Proposal Stone Listen to the poem by Simon Armitage about The Proposal Stone on Simonside by downloading the Poems in the Air app from the App Store or Google Play. Poems in the Air Ancient carvings At Lordenshaws, situated above Rothbury and lying in the shadow of the Simonside Hills, you will find some of the best preserved cup and ring markings carved into the sandstone by our ancient ancestors that will transport you back in time to prehistory. Nearby is the impressive Iron Age hill fort built 2,000 years ago. You can still see the double ramparts and the impressions of round houses on the ground. Lying to the north east of the Lordenshaws hill fort, Bronze Age burial mounds house the remains of people buried between 3,000 and 4,000 years ago. The Simonside Hills 13

14 View from St Gregory s Hill Wild Cheviot Goat The Cheviots Eruptions of lava, then 400 million years of ice, wind and rain has left the distinctive rounded hills of the Cheviots. Now crisscrossed with miles of bridleways and footpaths, you can walk or mountain bike the routes of ancient cattle drovers. The whale-backed shape of Cheviot at 2,674 feet (815 metres), is the highest point in Northumberland. We recommend a walk up Yeavering Bell, near Wooler ( hill of the goats ) with its Iron Age stone fortifications at the summit. From here, you ll have stunning views to the coast and into Scotland. Below its towering presence is Gefrin, the site of the first Royal Centre of Anglo Saxon Northumbria. River Breamish near Ingram To find true tranquillity and more remains of ancient settlements and cultivation, why not wander along the single track from Hethpool into the awe-inspiring landscape of the College Valley. Hillforts, such as Ring Chesters, were built in the Iron Age, but the area also contains rich remains dating back to the Bronze Age. Harthope Valley (signposted from Wooler) is another wonderful destination to explore and picnic in by the quiet waters of the Harthope Burn. For more inspiration, pop in to Wooler Tourist Information Centre in The Cheviot Centre. 14

15 TO COLDSTREAM Information Point Linhope Spout Kilham TO BERWICK-UPON-TWEED Linhope Spout Branton TO ALNWICK Northumberland National Park TO ROTHBURY Breamish Valley Transport Explore Wooler and the gateway to the Cheviots with the 267 and 464 routes operated by Glen Valley Tours and Perrymans. The 470 route operated by Travelsure runs on school days and links Wooler with Chillingham, Chatton and Alnwick. For cyclists of all ages a bike ride from Wooler into any of the Cheviot valleys is simply glorious, whatever your age! Further south of Wooler, the Breamish Valley is one of the most popular family destinations in the Cheviots, with Café and toilets at Ingram. Ideal for riverside picnics, where kids can paddle safely, or for the more adventurous, walks into the hills. Many choose to walk up to the lovely waterfall at nearby Linhope Spout. From Bulby s Wood Car Park you can take a 40 minute walk up to the summit of Brough Law, where you can see the massive stone walls of the Hillfort. The views from the top are superb. Visit the Valley Cottage Café and pick up a copy of the Discover the Breamish Valley leaflet with its self-guided hillfort trail. Cycling up the Breamish Valley 15

16 COUNTRYSIDE SHOWS, BOOK AND FOOD FESTIVALS A P R I L J U N E A U G U S T S E P T E M B E R Friday 28 April to 7 May Hexham Book Festival hexhambookfestival.co.uk M A Y Monday 1 May Rothbury Food and Craft Festival rothburyfoodandcraft festival.co.uk Monday 29 May Northumberland County Show northcountyshow.co.uk Saturday 10 June Roman Wall Show engb.facebook.com/ The-Roman-Wall-Show June to Saturday 17 June Yetholm Summer Festival YetholmFestivalWeek J U L Y Saturday 22 to 23 July Glendale Festival Glendale-Festival-Wooler Saturday 5 August Powburn Show powburnshow.com 6 August Gilsland Agricultural Show gilslandshow.org 6 August College Valley Show Saturday 12 August Glanton Show glanton.org.uk Saturday 19 August Falstone Border Shepherds Show falstoneshow.com Saturday 26 August Bellingham Show bellinghamshow.co.uk Monday 28 August Glendale Show glendaleshow.com Monday 28 August Elsdon Village Fete elsdononline.co.uk Saturday 2 September Harbottle Show harbottleshow.com Saturday 9 September Ingram Show ingrambreamishvalley. co.uk Saturday 16 September Thropton Show throptonshow.co.uk Saturday 23 September Upper Redesdale Show (At Rochester) O C T O B E R Saturday 14 October Alwinton Border Shepherds Show alwintonshow.co.uk 16

17 SPORTING EVENTS, MUSIC FESTIVALS AND FARMERS MARKETS A P R I L J U N E J U L Y S E P T E M B E R Saturday 22 April Nordic Walk Challenge shepherdswalks.co.uk Saturday 22 April to Monday 1 May Haltwhistle Walking Festival haltwhistlewalking festival.org Saturday 3 June Alwinton Summer Concert (7.30pm) alwintonconcerts.org Saturday 10 June Hadrian Hundred Cycle Sportive haydonhundred.co.uk Saturday 10 June Clennell Colossus MTB Challenge highfellevents.co.uk Friday 16 June to 18 June Cyclone Festival of Cycling cyclonecycling.com 18 June Alwinton Summer Concert (3.00pm) alwintonconcerts.org Saturday 1 July Alwinton Summer Concert (7.30pm) alwintonconcerts.org Friday 7 to 8 July Corbridge Festival corbridge-festival.co.uk Friday 14 July to 16 July Rothbury Traditional Music Festival rothburymusicfestival. co.uk 16 July Ingram Trail Run highfellevents.co.uk Saturday 29 July Mestival Hesleyside mestival.co.uk Saturday 2 September Cheviot Challenge Take one of two challenges and help raise funds for the mountain rescue team nnpmrt.org Saturday 2 September Kielder Challenge Walk shepherdswalks.co.uk Saturday 9 to 10 September Baafest baafest.co.uk 17 September Breamish Behemoth XC Challenge highfellevents.co.uk Saturday 24 June Coquet Valley Challenge Walk shepherdswalks.co.uk M A Y A U G U S T F A R M E R S M A R K E T S Saturday 13 May Wooler Wheel Borderlands woolerwheel.co.uk Saturday 20 May Alwinton Summer Concert (7.30pm) alwintonconcerts.org 17 6 August Clennell Trail Run highfellevents.co.uk Saturday 12 and 13 August St Cuthbert s Way Challenge shepherdswalks.co.uk GREENHEAD Hadrian s Wall Alnwick Hexham Morpeth visitnorthumberland. com/shopping/markets

18 Our Rangers Top 10 picnic spots THE CHEVIOTS INGRAM AND THE BREAMISH VALLEY A stunning location for a riverside picnic. Take a breathtaking walk up to Brough Law hillfort from Bulby s Wood (car park and toilets). The Valley Cottage Cafe is nearby in Ingram. COQUETDALE THE DRAKE STONE, HARBOTTLE Take a short walk, with your picnic, up to the mythical Drake Stone. Star Inn and small shop in village. THE CHEVIOTS HETHPOOL AND COLLEGE VALLEY A lovely family walk to Hethpool Linn waterfall. Look out for the wild Cheviot goats! NORTH TYNE GREENHAUGH Hay meadows and a stream nearby, with lovely views across the beautiful Tarset valley. Park opposite the Holly Bush Inn. COQUETDALE THE SIMONSIDE HILLS AND FOREST Heather covered hills, and forest with numerous waymarked woodland routes. Only 5 minutes drive from Rothbury. NORTH TYNE & REDESDALE HARESHAW LINN, BELLINGHAM A lovely walk up to Hareshaw Linn waterfall, through an ancient woodland, known for its fantastic lichen and mosses. Look out for red squirrels high in the trees! Afterwards pop in to Bellingham Heritage Centre and the Carriages Tea Room. HADRIAN S WALL THE CHEVIOTS REDESDALE WALLTOWN QUARRY COUNTRY PARK Great for kids, easy footpaths, a duck pond, refreshment kiosk, toilets and picnic area. CAWFIELDS Lakeside, crags and picnic area on a former quarry site alongside Hadrian s Wall. 5 minute walk up to Milecastle 42 on the Wall. 18 HARTHOPE VALLEY Beautiful, remote valley, 10 minutes drive from Wooler. Ideal for a picnic, with woodland and moorland walks. ELSDON Picturesque village green, with history all around! A tea room and Pub alongside. Circular walks into the countryside.

19 Our top 10 historical sites THE CHEVIOTS COQUETDALE HADRIAN S WALL YEAVERING BELL & AD GEFRIN MONUMENT Yeavering Bell, Hill of the Goats, is the largest Hillfort in Northumberland. Ad Gefrin, the site of the 7th Century Anglo-Saxon Royal Township and site of early Christianity lies at it s base. (Near Kirknewton and Wooler) WOODHOUSES BASTLE A perfectly restored Bastle (fortified farmhouse) of the Border Reivers. (Near Elsdon and Holystone) THIRLWALL CASTLE Medieval Hall House built from Roman stones taken from nearby Hadrian s Wall (Near Greenhead) COQUETDALE THE CHEVIOTS COQUETDALE THE CHEVIOTS LORDENSHAWS Cup & Ring Rock Art The largest collection of ancient rock art on one site in Northumberland. Burial Cairns and Hillfort visible. (Near Rothbury) COLLEGE VALLEY A valley steeped in history with a stone circle, hillforts, Collingwood Oaks and the World War II air crash memorial. (Near Kirknewton) BIDDLESTONE CHAPEL Site of the Selby Mansion; former Bastle, Chapel and Air Raid Shelter, and historic parkland. (Near Alwinton) BREAMISH VALLEY INGRAM FARM Hillforts, ancient farms and fields are all visible at England s largest Scheduled Monument, including Wether Hill. COQUETDALE THE CHEVIOTS HADRIAN S WALL HARBOTTLE CASTLE A Medieval Castle and Tudor fortress, stronghold of the Norman Umfraville family, now in ruins. (Near Rothbury) ST GREGORY S CHURCH Kirknewton A Medieval Church with later 19th century nave designed by Newcastle architect John Dobson. 19 HADRIAN S WALL - WORLD HERITAGE SITE The World famous northern frontier of the Roman Empire. 17 Roman miles of breathtaking landscape, with the Wall, the forts, milecastles, temples and turrets, even a Roman toilet! (Near Haltwhistle, Bardon Mill, Haydon Bridge and Hexham)

20 Aurora at Sycamore Gap NORTHUMBERLAND INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY PARK Northumberland is unique in having the most pristine dark skies in England. In 2013, the whole of Northumberland National Park and most of the adjacent Kielder Water & Forest Park was designated as England s first and largest International Dark Sky Park (Gold Tier). Because there is little light pollution here, on a clear night you can see the Milky Way and other galaxies, meteor showers and distant planets. Observatories such a Kielder and Battlesteads offer you the chance to use their powerful telescopes to get a closer look, but you can also use your eyes and a lie back in awe-struck wonder to gaze upon the heavens - Enjoy! Solar Gazing Star Gazing at Cawfields 20

21 Astronomical calender th April FULL MOON 23rd April LYRID METEOR SHOWER (minimum interference from the Moon) An easy way to help you navigate your way around the sky at night NORTH 26th April NEW MOON 6th May ETA-AQUARID METEOR SHOWER (some interference from the Moon) 10th May FULL MOON 25th May NEW MOON NORTH 9th June FULL MOON 21st June SUMMER SOLSTICE 23rd June NEW MOON 8th July FULL MOON 15th July CAPRICORNID METEOR SHOWER (some interference from the Moon) SOUTH 23rd July NEW MOON 7th August FULL MOON 13th August PERSEID METEOR SHOWER (some interference from the Moon) SOUTH 21st August NEW MOON 5th September FULL MOON 19th September NEW MOON Adapted from original design by Forestry Commission, Scotland for Dark Sky Discovery 21

22 Nature notes Mountain Bumblebee Buff-tailed Bumblebee Moss Carder Bumblebee Cotton Grass Hay Meadow BUMBLEBEES Including the rare mountain bumblebee. Where and when: Willows and flowering trees, and shrubs in spring. Hay meadows and roadside verges in summer, heather moorland in late summer. Throughout Northumberland National Park. BOGS Where: Hadrian s Wall and the Border Mires. When: Anytime for Sphagnum mosses. May for cotton grass. July for bog asphodel. HAY MEADOWS Where: North Tyne at Greenhaugh and Upper Coquetdale at Barrowburn When: Mid June - Mid July Trout RIVERS Where: North Tyne, Coquet, and Hethpool Linn for salmon. Breamish for sea trout and brook lamprey. When: Salmon and trout in autumn. Curlew CURLEW Where: Un-enclosed moorland around the National Park and moorland edge. Hadrian s Wall, Cheviots, Simonside. When: March - July Wild Cheviot Goats WILD CHEVIOT GOATS Where: The Cheviot Hills especially around Yeavering Bell and the College Valley. When: All year but maybe lower down the hill in winter. Look out for kids (young goats) in the spring. You may smell the goats long before you see them! Emperor Moth Red Squirrel Nibbled cones! Heather and Red Grouse Scarlet Waxcap RED SQUIRRELS Where: Hareshaw Linn woodland, Harwood around Simonside and Falstone near Kielder. When: All year, especially spring and autumn when leaves are off the trees. Look out for nibbled fir cones at the base of pine trees, a sure sign that squirrels are nearby. 22 HEATHER MOORLAND Where: The Simonside Hills and the Cheviot Hills covering the hills in purple. When: August and September WAXCAPS Where: Hadrian s Wall grasslands. When: These waxy topped fungi occur from September to November.

23 Autumn Farming calendar Winter Summer Spring Autumn Start of the upland hill shepherd s year: Ewes (female sheep) are gathered into the fields close to the farm (in-bye). Rams or tups (male sheep) are put out to mate with them. You may see some tups wearing a harness that contains a block of dye, which marks the backs of any ewes that have been mated, allowing shepherds to tell when their sheep are going to lamb, 5 months later. The autumn is very important to upland farmers as there are numerous special sheep and cattle sales at local livestock markets in the area. This is the time when farmers find out if all the year s hard work has paid off. Winter Agri-environment schemes are Government programmes set up to help farmers manage their land in an environmentally-friendly way. Some require that cattle are taken off the hills in winter months to benefit vegetation and the species they support. Cattle are often housed until April/May. Spring Controlled burning can be carried out (from Autumn into Spring), by gamekeepers and shepherds to ensure that mixed-age vegetation benefits sheep, wildlife and game birds such as red grouse. Lambing in the hills usually takes place during April/May. Please keep your dogs on a lead. Summer Cows and calves are returned to the hill for summer. Cows are very protective of their offspring, so please keep away from them. Sheep must be clipped to stop them from over-heating, becoming stuck on their backs and getting parasites. They are then dipped to prevent parasites and other illnesses. The National Park has some spectacular hay meadows, where wild flowers bloom and set seed. The meadow is cut and the hay is turned until it dries. Hay is vital to farmers as it is used to feed the livestock during the Winter months. 23

24 A POETS INSPIRATION Poems in the Air is a collection of six new poems by famous English Poet Simon Armitage, which were inspired by serene locations within Northumberland National Park. Download the free Poems in the Air mobile app (iphone & Android) and follow in Simon s footsteps and listen to him reading his poems in the exact places that inspired them. Old Middleton NEAR WOOLER Dove Crag HARBOTTLE Simon Armitage Shepherd s Cairn EWARTLY SHANK Riverside Walk GREENHAUGH The Proposal Stone SIMONSIDE Hollywell Cottage STONEHAUGH Scan the QR code with your smartphone Dear Dog Owners Dogs are very welcome in Northumberland National Park; however, there are times when dogs should be kept on leads, especially around pregnant sheep and sheep with lambs. If you do find a lamb on its own please leave it alone, it s mother knows where she left it and will be back to look after it soon. Thank you. Please keep your Dog on a lead and under control 24

25 JOIN OUR Events in NORTHUMBERLAND NATIONAL PARK SPRING & SUMMER 2017 Our events programme is listed by date for Spring and Summer We often add extra events or walks to the programme so please keep an eye out on Facebook/Twitter and our website for updates and new events. To avoid disappointment we recommend that you book your event in advance online. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. These events are aimed at families with children 12 years and under. Adults go free! Wild s are a way for children to explore, play, discover and enjoy Northumberland National Park. These events are aimed at families. Please ensure that you all wear suitable clothing and footwear. Guided Walk - please see over the page for important information. Events & Walks 25

26 HADRIAN S WALL 1 GREENHEAD Tea Room WALLTOWN QUARRY COUNTRY PARK CAWFIELDS THE SILL: National Landscape Discovery Centre STEEL RIGG HOUSESTEADS NEWBROUGH Town Hall SIMONBURN Car Park HEXHAM National Park HQ North Tyne and Redesdale 10 STONEHAUGH Forestry Car Park BELLINGHAM Heritage Centre HARESHAW LINN GREENHAUGH Car Park ROCHESTER Camien Cafe CATCLEUGH RESERVOIR Entrance HADRIAN S WALL 2 AND EVENT START POINTS START 1 34 POINTS Choose your event then look on the map to find where it starts from. Go to our website for a full description and details of how to get there NORTH TYNE and REDESDALE THE CHEVIOTS COQUETDALE ELSDON Old School House Tea Room Scan the QR code with your smartphone for our Events Keep up to date with our events programme 26

27 Coquetdale 17 ROTHBURY Riverside Car Park SIMONSIDE Forestry Car Park TOSSON LIME KILN HOLYSTONE Forestry Car Park HARBOTTLE Forestry Car Park ALWINTON WEDDER LEAP BUCKHAM S BRIDGE ALNHAM CHURCH The Cheviots 26 INGRAM Valley Cottage Cafe INGRAM BRIDGE BULBY S WOOD HARTSIDE Breamish Valley CAREY BURN BRIDGE grass verge WOOLER COMMON Forestry Car Park SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION GRADES AND NOTES EASY Short flat walks of 2-3 miles (3-5km). Usually suitable for pushchairs. EASY + Short walks of 2-5 miles (3-8km). Paths may be rough or uneven with some short ascents and descents. MODERATE Medium length walks of 3-10 miles (5-16km) on hilly ground with rising and falling levels. A reasonable level of fitness is required. STRENUOUS Long and energetic walks up to 11 miles (18km). Some ascents and descents may be quite steep and on loose material. A good level of fitness is needed. B WALK MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE or telephone: Trained National Park Volunteers lead the Guided Walks. They will be at the Meeting Point well before the start time to welcome you. Dress for changeable weather, waterproofs and sun screen can often be needed on the same day, and good footwear is essential. Please bring refreshments such as lunch, or a snack and don t forget to bring a drink. Dogs are not allowed on some of our walks. Please visit our website for further details WOOLER Cheviot Centre KIRKNEWTON Village Hall HETHPOOL To avoid disappointment we recommend that you book your tickets in advance online as places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. 27

28 Our Events are listed by date from March to October For further information log on to our website: NEW FOR 2017 STORYTELLING M A R C H T O A U G U S T Saturday MARCH 25 Tales of the forgotten North (Elsdon) 1pm - 4pm Thursday APRIL 13 Come and find the story (Greenhead) 10am - 12 & 1pm - 3pm MAY 14 Gone Cuckoo (Hethpool) pm Keep an eye out on our website for lots more storytelling events including... Book at Bedtime & One eye in the other world! Saturday JUNE 3 Spiders Eyes (Ouseburn Farm, Newcastle) Throughout the day Monday JUNE 12 What does the River say? (Featherstone) - 4pm Saturday JULY 8 Falstone Cakewalk (Falstone) 10am pm & 1.30pm - 4pm 28

29 M A R C H A P R I L A R T Thursday MARCH 23 F A M I L Y F U N Saturday APRIL pm pm DROP IN 11.00am pm Early Easter Eggstravaganza B Take part in our Geocache Easter Egg Hunt and see if you can find tasty Easter treats.there is a short walk so wear warm clothing and suitable footwear. At: Valley Cottage Cafe, Ingram (NE66 4LT) Cost: 5 child APRIL 2 APRIL pm pm B Hill Skills & Navigation A friendly introduction to planning and navigating for hill walking and learn some valuable hill skills. *See website for combined price offer! Meet: Stonehaugh - Forestry Car Park OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Easy+ / 5 miles Cost: 25 per person* APRIL 5 F A M I L Y F U N APRIL 12 School Holiday Wild pm Spring into Print FROGS, TOADS & SNAKES! Hands on Gelli Printing event based on wonderful reptiles and amphibians that live in the National Park. Gelli printing is simple and fun! All materials supplied. At: National Park HQ, Eastburn, Hexham (NE46 1BS) Hethpool Linn & St Gregory s Hill Delightful walk up the College Valley taking in a waterfall and an ancient hillfort. You may also see wild Cheviot goats! Meet: Kirknewton Village Hall (NE71 6XF) OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Easy+/4.5 miles Newbrough & Hadrian s Wall Discover the World's first Boy Scout Camp at Carr Edge and explore Brocolitia Roman Temple. Meet: Newbrough Town Hall (NE47 5AR) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/8 miles Cost: 20 per person Its sure to be eggciting!! School Holiday NAVIGATION 10.00am pm AND 1.00pm pm Mission Explore Become an explorer, natural navigator and wildlife watcher. Draw, rub, smear, write, colour and print. Start the journey to mission explore. Wear suitable clothing! At: Bellingham Heritage Centre (NE48 2DG) Cost: 8 child

30 A P R I L RANGERS FAVOURITE WALK APRIL pm pm Easter APRIL pm Bank Holiday Monday APRIL pm How many Walls can you see? Join the National Trail Ranger along Hadrian s Wall looking at the different walls! Meet: Steel Rigg - National Park Car Park (NE47 7AN) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/ 3.5 miles (some short steep bits) APRIL 19 Wild Pond Dipping Be amazed and learn about the wonderful creatures that are specially adapted to live in an underwater world. Wear wellies! At: Walltown Quarry Country Park (CA8 7JD) Cost: 5 child School Holiday FAMILY FUN am AND 1.00pm pm Aesica Roman Fort & Thirlwall Castle Our route follows some impressive bits of Hadrian s Wall, and visits a Roman altar and a 14th Century castle. Meet: Walltown Quarry Country Park (CA8 7JD) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Strenuous/8.5 miles APRIL 19 The Schil pm B A strenuous walk which climbs up to the Border Ridge and then The Schil, returning along the tranquil College Valley. Meet: Hethpool - National Park Car Park (College Valley) OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Strenuous/11 miles The River Coquet to Tosson Hill Climb to the summit of Tosson Hill for splendid views of the Cheviot Hills, and Coquetdale. Meet: Tosson Lime Kiln - OS Grid Ref: NU Grade: Strenuous/ 9 miles APRIL am pm B Celebrating the Pennine Way (52 years old)! Linear walk from Bellingham over moorland then on to Hadrian's Wall. Transport is provided to start of walk. Meet: Housesteads - OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Strenuous/ 12.5 miles

31 M A Y APRIL pm B Woden Law, in the footsteps of the Legions Follows in the footsteps of Roman soldiers along Dere Street, and visit the camps at Woden Law and Chew Green. Meet: Buckham s Bridge - OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Strenuous/10.5 miles APRIL pm Brigantium & Bremenium Roman Fort Visit these two sites and then march along Dere Street, up towards Otterburn Ranges now patrolled by the Army. Meet: Camien Cafe, Rochester (NE19 1RH) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/5 miles Bank Holiday Monday MAY pm Cup & Ring rock art around Wooler Visit three ancient rock art sites including Routing Linn, largest decorated rock in Northern England. Meet: Cheviot Centre, Wooler (NE71 6BL) OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Easy+/5 miles MAY am pm Search for St Ethelreda Climb up to Laddies Knowe then down to Elsdonburnshank on the way to one of the possible sites of St Ethelreda s Chapel. Meet: Hethpool - National Park Car Park (College Valley) OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Strenuous /9 miles Gill 5.30am note the MAY am E c o l o g i s t s F A V O U R I T E W A L K early start! Dawn Chorus Walk at Hareshaw Linn Breakfast buttie and hot drink included in price! To celebrate International Dawn Chorus Month join our National Park Ecologist at Hareshaw Linn to listen to the beautiful dawn chorus and observe the wonderful flora and fauna in this special woodland, including red squirrels. Meet: Bellingham Heritage Centre (NE48 2DG) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Easy+/ 3.5 miles Cost: 10 Adult / 5 Child *must be accompanied by Adult B

32 M A Y Hidden Histories 1.30pm MAY pm MAY pm Visit the last Black House at Catcleugh Tony Find out about the fascinating history of Catcleugh Reservoir and visit the Black House, the last remaining dwelling that was built to house the reservoir construction workers in the late 19th Century. Lovingly restored it contains many artefacts of the period. We will also take a short stroll through the woodland to the Dam Wall to view the reservoir, passing some remarkable features of Victorian engineering on the way. Meet: Catcleugh Reservoir entrance (NE19 1TX) OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Easy/1.5 miles A Roman Aqueduct Take a look at the aqueduct that once supplied water to Aesica Roman Fort, and walk the highest section of Hadrian s Wall. Meet: Cawfields - National Park Car Park (Hadrian s Wall) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/ 7 miles 15 3 Paget RANGERS FAVOURITE WALK MAY am pm MAY pm MAY pm A walk along the Wall Join our Head Ranger on a gentle walk around Walltown Quarry Country Park and then head up a short steep path to Hadrian s Wall. Meet: Walltown Quarry Country Park (CA8 7JD) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Easy / 3 miles Dally Castle & Tarsetdale A chance to see two castles built when this turbulent area was disputed by the English and Scottish Crowns. Meet: Greenhaugh Car Park (NE48 1PW) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/10 miles Sewingshields and Haughton Green A walk north of Hadrian's Wall with superb views and archaeology from the bronze age to the 19th Century. Meet: Housesteads - OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate / 9 miles

33 M A Y MAY pm The Natural History of Hareshaw Linn, Bellingham Find out about the industrial history of this tranquil woodland, once home to blast furnaces and coke ovens! Meet: Hareshaw Linn - OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Easy+/ 3 miles NAVIGATION MAY 21 Basic Navigation pm B Introduction to navigation, giving you confidence to explore the countryside on your own. *See website for price offer! Meet: Alnham Church (NE66 4TL) OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Moderate/7 miles Cost: 25 per person* MAY 24 Windy Gyle & Davidsons Linn pm B A walk over moorland to Davidsons Linn waterfall then up to the Border Ridge and Windy Gyle. Meet: Wedder Leap - OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Strenuous/ 9 miles Shaun RANGERS FAVOURITE WALK MAY am pm Monday MAY pm MAY pm By Woodland & Stream around Kirknewton Join a National Park Ranger on this springtime walk around the woodlands and streams near Kirknewton. Meet: Kirknewton Village Hall (NE71 6XF) OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Easy /5 miles North Cheviot Circuit A strenuous walk in the Northern Cheviots returning along a section of the St Cuthbert's Way, with lovely views on the route. Meet: Wooler Common Car Park (NE71 6RL) OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Strenuous /8.5 miles Bastles of Tarsetdale A chance to look at Bastles, reminders of the turbulent past in this area, and visit a church with connections to the Napoleonic wars! Meet: Greenhaugh Car Park (NE48 1PW) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/7.5 miles

34 M A Y FAMILY FUN FAMILY FUN J U N E MAY 31 Ranger Wild AND 1.30pm pm Safari on Foot Discover the wildlife (big and small) that can be found at Walltown, from mammals to mini-beasts. Have a go at tracking them down and get an insight into how they live. Wear suitable footwear. At: Walltown Quarry Country Park (CA8 7JD) OS Grid Ref: NY Cost: 5 child School Holiday Friday JUNE Treasure Trail Challenge AND 1.00pm pm Have fun following our trail. There will be treasure to find and clues to solve. Wear suitable footwear. At: Wooler Common Car Park (NE71 6RL) OS Grid Ref: NT Cost: 5 Child School 2 Holiday 31 JUNE 4 ART 10.00am pm Hidden Histories JUNE pm pm JUNE pm Print the View! GREENLEE LOUGH Be inspired by the view at Greenlee Lough, a hidden haven for wildlife. Workshop with artist Lindsay Duncanson. Involves a short walk. Meet: Twice Brewed Inn, Hadrian s Wall (NE47 7AN) Lunch and transport provided Cost: 40 per person Visit the last Black House at Catcleugh Please see May 7 for a full description of this event (on Page 32). Meet: Catcleugh Reservoir entrance (NE19 1TX) OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Easy/1.5 miles Hadrian s Wall, Crags & Loughs A walk along a spectacular stretch of Hadrian's Wall, that goes past the famous tree at Sycamore Gap. Meet: Steel Rigg - National Park Car Park (NE47 7AN) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/6 miles Cost: 10 per person

35 J U N E JUNE pm Jane RANGERS FAVOURITE WALK JUNE pm JUNE pm Ravensheugh Crag & Hopeshield Burn Lots of Bronze Age remains, spectacular views and some unusual plants in this remote area, and the Goatstones! Meet: Simonburn Car Park (NE46 3AS) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/7.5 miles Cost: 10 per person Harthope Valley & Old Middleton Join a National Park Ranger on a walk to Old Middleton, where we will listen to one of the poet Simon Armitage s Poems in the Air. Meet: Carey Burn Bridge OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Moderate/4.5 miles Sewingshields & Broomlee Lough Visit Broomlee Lough a remnant of the last ice age 12,000 years ago, now home to otters and crayfish. Meet: Housesteads - OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/7.5 miles Cost: 10 per person JUNE pm Aesica Roman Fort & Hadrian s Wall Fascinating walk to a Roman Fort complete with altar, and a house with links to an executed bishop. Meet: Walltown Quarry Country Park (CA8 7JD) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/6 miles Cost: 10 per person JUNE 21 The Schil pm B A strenuous walk which climbs up to the Border Ridge and then The Schil, returning along the tranquil College Valley. Meet: Hethpool - National Park Car Park (College Valley) OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Strenuous/11 miles Cost: 10 per person Saturday JUNE 24 The Drake Stone & Harbottle Castle pm Hear about stories and myths connected with the Drake Stone and the castle that dominates Harbottle village. Meet: Harbottle - Forestry Car Park OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Moderate/5 miles

36 J U N E J U L Y F A M I L Y F U N Saturday JULY 1 DROP IN pm J U L Y NAVIGATION JUNE 25 Hill Skills & Navigation F A M I L Y F U N Saturday JULY pm B A friendly introduction to planning, navigating and understanding hill skills. *See website for price offer. Meet: Rothbury - Riverside Car Park OS Grid Ref: NU Grade: Easy+/5 miles Cost: 25 per person* 1.00pm pm JUNE pm Flowers of Walltown & the Whin Grassland A wide range of plants to see including four species of orchid and the bonus of fab views of Hadrian s Wall! Meet: Walltown Quarry Country Park (CA8 7JD) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Easy+/4.5 miles Flower Fun Day J U L Y It's National Meadow Day and what better to do than follow a self-led trail discovering the beautiful flowers that can be found at Walltown. Take part in a mini-beast hunt and get crafty with a flower theme. Meet: Walltown Quarry Country Park (CA8 7JD) OS Grid Ref: NY Cost: 5 Child Secret life of a hay meadow It s National Meadow Day so take a look at the flowers and insects that are to be found in one of our best hay meadows in Upper Coquetdale. Meet: Wedder Leap - OS Grid Ref: NT Cost: 5 Child 23 Hidden Histories JULY pm pm Visit the last Black House at Catcleugh Please see May 7 for a full description of this event (on Page 32). Meet: Catcleugh Reservoir entrance (NE19 1TX) OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Easy/1.5 miles 36 Sally RANGERS FAVOURITE WALK JULY pm Poems, Meadows & Burns A Rangers favourite walk that visits a magnificent hay meadow and follows a babbling burn! Listen to a Poem in the Air on the way. Meet: Greenhaugh Car Park (NE48 1PW) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Easy / 3 miles 15 13

37 J U L Y JULY pm The Natural History of the Cheviots From its turbulent geological past, to spectacular wildflower meadows, this is a landscape with a story to tell. Meet: Wedder Leap - OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Moderate/ 4.5 miles JULY 9 Seldom Seen pm Walk along some of the lesser known paths south of Hadrian's Wall including a visit to Muckle Moss, a National Nature Reserve. Meet: Housesteads - OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate / 8 miles Cost: 10 per person JULY pm B Woden Law, in the footsteps of the Legions Follows in the footsteps of Roman soldiers along Dere Street, and visit the camps at Woden Law and Chew Green. Meet: Buckham s Bridge - OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Strenuous/ 10.5 miles Cost: 10 per person Saturday JULY 15 Flowers & Birds at Greenlee Lough pm A walk just north of Hadrian s Wall through the reed bed to the lough and the bird hide. Meet: Steel Rigg - National Park Car Park, Hadrian s Wall (NE47 7AN) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Easy+/ 4.5 miles NAVIGATION JULY 16 Basic Navigation pm B Introduction to navigation, giving you confidence to explore the countryside on your own. *See website for price offer! Meet: Alnham Church (NE66 4TL) OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Moderate/7 miles Cost: 25 per person JULY pm Iron Age Hillforts & the Breamish Valley Step back in time to see how prehistoric people lived at Wether Hill, and the hillfort of Brough Law. Meet: Ingram Bridge - OS Grid Ref: NU Grade: Strenuous/9.5 miles Cost: 10 per person

38 National Parks Week 2017 J U L Y J U L Y Saturday JULY 22 Wooler Fun DO IT TOGETHER Join us at the Glendale Festival for food, fun and festivities! At: Scotts Park, Wooler (NE71 6NJ) J U L Y JULY 26 Wild Mini-beast Safari F A M I L Y F U N DROP IN School Holiday F A M I L Y F U N 10.00am am AND 1.00pm pm School Holiday Come along and discover the multitude of mini-beasts which live down in the grass and amongst the flowers. Grass bugs, scorpion flies, frog hoppers and more, all should be catchable in our sweep nets! At: Walltown Quarry Country Park (CA8 7JD) OS Grid Ref: NY Cost: 5 Child 38 JULY 23 Crag Lough & Sycamore Gap JULY pm Walk some spectacular parts of Hadrian's Wall, appreciate what a formidable defensive barrier it was! Meet: Steel Rigg - National Park Car Park (NE47 7AW) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/4.5 miles Cost: 10 per person pm Looking down on Elsdon; an ancient village Find out about one of the most complete examples of a medieval settlement in the National Park. Meet: Elsdon - Old School Tea Room (NE19 1AA) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/8.5 miles Cost: 10 per person 2 16

39 National Parks Week 2017 School Holiday 3 D A Y S O F F A M I L Y F U N A N D A D V E N T U R E Book your Tickets in advance online J U L Y Thursday JULY am pm B O O K O N L I N E F O R A N E A R L Y B I R D T I C K E T Friday JULY am pm Saturday JULY am pm Walltown Family Adventure DO IT TOGETHER DROP IN Our Family Days are filled with adventure, high-energy activities like climbing, bushcraft and archery. AND MORE! At: Walltown Quarry Country Park (CA8 7JD) OS Grid Ref: NY

40 J U L Y MAY JULY pm Upper Coquet Valley & its History Discover the history of this wild remote area, and visit Murder Cleugh, site of a dreadful murder in 1610! Meet: Wedder Leap - OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Moderate/4.5 miles 23 Monday JULY 31 Ranger Meet the Flintstones Thursday AUGUST FAMILY FUN Learn all about land art and how people of the Stone Age lived. Step into our time machine and go back to the Stone Age. Live life as it would have been. Help develop the White Curlew which will be a summer feature at Walltown! At: Walltown Quarry Country Park (CA8 7JD) OS Grid Ref: NY Cost: 10 child AND 1.30pm pm School Holiday 2 A U G U S T AUGUST 2 Ranger Wild FAMILY FUN Safari on Foot Come along and discover what wildlife can be found at Hareshaw Linn. From mammals to mini-beasts have a go at tracking them down and get an insight into how they live. Wear suitable footwear. At: Hareshaw Linn - National Park Car Park, Bellingham (NE48 2DA) Cost: 5 child School Holiday 40 AUGUST 2 Holystone High & Low pm A walk highlighting some of the diverse uses of land within the National Park, including forestry and wildlife. Meet: Holystone - Forestry Car Park OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Moderate/6 miles Cost: 10 per person 12 20

41 A U G U S T Saturday AUGUST pm Hidden Histories AUGUST pm pm AUGUST pm The Armstrong Terraces at Rothbury Lord Armstrong created these terraces at Cragside. Join us and share the delightful views over Rothbury and Simonside. Meet: Rothbury - Riverside Car Park OS Grid Ref: NU Grade: Easy+/ 5.5 miles Visit the last Black House at Catcleugh Please see May 7 for a full description of this event (on Page 32). Meet: Catcleugh Reservoir entrance (NE19 1TX) OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Easy/1.5 miles Three Loughs Walk to Greenlee, Crag and Broomlee Loughs, all relics of the last Ice Age more than 10,000 years ago. Meet: Steel Rigg - National Park Car Park (NE47 7AN) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Strenuous/ 8.5 miles Cost: 10 per person J U L Y S T O R Y T E L L I N G Keep an eye out on our website for lots more storytelling events nationalpark.org.uk/ events AUGUST 9 Linhope Spout & Hedgehope pm A walk up Hedgehope, the second highest hill in the county, and a visit to the wonderful Linhope Spout. Meet: Hartside, near Ingram Park considerately on grass OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Strenuous/9 miles Cost: 10 per person 41 B 29 GEOCACHING AUGUST 13 Introduction to Geocaching pm B Geocaching is a fun outdoor activity using a smartphone, or dedicated GPS to hunt for hidden caches. Give it a try! Meet: Walltown Quarry Country Park (CA8 7JD) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Easy+/ 5 miles 2

42 A U G U S T AUGUST 16 Wild FAMILY FUN AND 1.00pm pm School Holiday Dipping Delights Come along and find out what creepy-crawlies lurk in the hidden depths of the River Breamish. Learn about life in the river, who lives here, who eats what and what they all become! We will supply all the equipment - nets and identification charts. Wear wellies or shoes that you can paddle in! At: Bulbys Wood -, near Ingram (NE48 2DA) OS Grid Ref: NU Cost: 5 child 28 AUGUST 16 River Coquet to Tosson Hill pm Climb to the summit of Tosson Hill for splendid views of the Cheviot Hills, and Coquetdale. Meet: Tosson Lime Kiln - OS Grid Ref: NU Grade: Strenuous/ 9 miles Cost: 10 per person 19 Saturday AUGUST Ranger am am Mini-beast Safari FAMILY FUN AND 1.00pm pm Safari on Foot Come along and discover the multitude of mini-beasts which live down in the grass and amongst the flowers.grass bugs, scorpion flies, frog hoppers and more should all be about and catchable in our sweep nets. At: Walltown Quarry Country Park (CA8 7JD) OS Grid Ref: NY Cost: 5 child 42 School Holiday AUGUST pm The North Cheviots & Yeavering Bell Climbs to the summit of Yeavering Bell, site of the largest and most impressive hill fort in Northumberland. Meet: Kirknewton Village Hall (NE71 6XF) OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Strenuous/ 8 miles Cost: 10 per person 2 33

43 AUGUST 23 Wild FAMILY FUN AND 1.00pm pm Orien tree ing Come along and navigate your way around Simonside Forest. Find out more about these mighty giants and see if you can name a few. Its sure to be treemendous fun! Wear wellies or suitable footwear. At: Simonside - Forestry Car Park, near Rothbury OS Grid Ref: NZ Cost: 5 child School Holiday AUGUST 23 A U G U S T pm Birdoswald Roman Fort & the Irthing Gorge A walk to a Roman fort, bridge and milecastle on Hadrian's Wall, and a 14th Century Castle. Meet: Greenhead Tea Room (CA8 7JD) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/ 8.5 miles Cost: 10 per person 18 1 Saturday AUGUST pm Clennell Street & Biddlestone Chapel This walk gives wonderful views with the opportunity to find out about the history of Alwinton and Border Reivers. Meet: Alwinton - National Park Car Park OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Strenuous/ 8 miles Cost: 10 per person 22 AUGUST am pm B Celebrating the Pennine Way (52 years old)! Linear walk from Gibshiel to Bellingham along the Pennine Way and over moorland. Transport provided to start. Meet: Hareshaw Linn - OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Strenuous/ 9 miles Cost: 10 per person Monday AUGUST 28 Hadrian s Wall, Crags & Loughs pm Walk along a spectacular stretch of Hadrian's Wall, and to Sycamore Gap. Meet: Steel Rigg - National Park Car Park (NE47 7AN) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/ 6 miles Cost: 10 per person 5

44 A U G U S T AUGUST 30 Windy Gyle & Davidsons Linn pm B A walk over moorland to the delightful Davidsons Linn waterfall then up to the Border Ridge and Windy Gyle. Meet: Wedder Leap - OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Strenuous/ 9 miles Cost: 10 per person 23 AUGUST 30 Wild FAMILY FUN am AND 1.00pm pm Pond Dipping Be amazed and learn all about the creatures that are especially adapted to live in an underwater world. Find out what creepy-crawlies lurk in the hidden depths of Walltown ponds. Wear wellies! All other gear supplied, including nets and identification charts. At: Walltown Quarry Country Park (CA8 7JD) OS Grid Ref: NY Cost: 5 child School Holiday 2 AUGUST Ranger Wild FAMILY FUN pm pm Spider Hunt Come along and discover the amazing and often complex world of these intriguing creatures no Tarantulas or Black Widows but the many equally interesting species found all around us. Wear sensible shoes! At: Simonside - Forestry Car Park, near Rothbury OS Grid Ref: NZ Cost: 5 child 44 School Holiday TWILIGHT WALK Thursday AUGUST 31 Batty about Bats 7.30pm pm Join our Ecologist and bat expert Tina Wiffin for a short twilight walk to Thirlwall Castle, a known bat roost. Meet: Walltown Quarry Country Park (CA8 7JD) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Easy /1 mile Cost: 15 Adult / 10 Child 18 2

45 S E P T E M B E R SEPTEMBER pm Hidden Histories SEPTEMBER pm pm SEPTEMBER pm The Drake Stone & Harbottle Castle Hear about stories and myths connected with the Drake Stone and the castle that dominates Harbottle village. Meet: Harbottle - Forestry Car Park OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Moderate/5 miles 21 Visit the last Black House at Catcleugh Please see May 7 for a full description of this event (on Page 32). Meet: Catcleugh Reservoir entrance (NE19 1TX) OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Easy/1.5 miles Hareshaw Common & the Pennine Way Some superb views on this walk in a quiet area north of Bellingham over the moorland towards The Shanks. Meet: Hareshaw Linn - OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/ 5 miles SEPTEMBER 10 A Walk along Hadrian s Wall pm A walk along the Wall with many ups and downs (but a much easier return route), passing Sycamore Gap. Meet: Steel Rigg - National Park Car Park (NE47 7AN) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Strenuous / 8 miles Cost: 10 per person 5 SEPTEMBER 13 Carey Burn, Broadstruther & Cold Law pm Shortish walk with strenuous climb to the summit of Cold Law. A remote spot but well worth the effort for the views! Meet: Carey Burn Bridge OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Strenuous/ 6 miles HERITAGE OPEN DAYS SEPTEMBER 7 TO10 Explore Hidden Places Every September some 40,000 volunteers across England organise 5,000 events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences all of which are FREE to explore.

46 SEPTEMBER pm Whisky, Waterfalls, Drovers & Dark Deeds Walk into the remote Usway Burn Valley, then climb to a point overlooking site of an illicit Black Rory whisky still. Meet: Wedder Leap - OS Grid Ref: NT Grade: Strenuous/ 8.5 miles Cost: 10 per person 23 S E P T E M B E R SEPTEMBER 24 Dipping Delights FAMILY FUN 10.30pm AND 1.00pm pm World Rivers Day Join us on World River Day and find out what creepy-crawlies lurk in the hidden depths of the River Breamish. Learn about life in the River - who lives here, what eats what and what they all become! By identifying what lives in the river we will also be able to determine how clean the river is. Wear wellies! All other gear supplied, including nets and identification charts. At: Bulbys Wood -, near Ingram (NE48 2DA) OS Grid Ref: NU Cost: 5 child 28 SEPTEMBER pm SEPTEMBER pm SEPTEMBER pm Aesica Roman Fort & Hadrian s Wall Fascinating walk to a Roman Fort complete with altar, and a house with links to an executed bishop. Meet: Walltown Quarry Country Park (CA8 7JD) OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/6 miles Cost: 10 per person 2 The high point of Hadrian s Wall Visit the Mare & Foal standing stones and enjoy superb views from the Wall. Meet: The Sill - National Landscape Discovery Centre (NE47 7AN) Hadrian s Wall OS Grid Ref: NY Grade: Moderate/7 miles Cost: 10 per person 46 Wether Hill & Prehistoric peoples lives Magnificent views, as we follow a Drover s road to Wether Hill hillfort, and then on to Brough Law hillfort. Meet: Ingram Bridge - OS Grid Ref: NU Grade: Moderate/4.5 miles 4 27

47 Walk to Wellbeing Helping Healthy Walkers Go Further West Tynedale Health Walk Volunteer leaders have designed 12 walks from May to October for local Walking for Health participants wanting to extend their walks or anyone wanting a gentle introduction to walking in a more challenging landscape. Walks are around 4 miles and cost 4 a person. For further details: This publication is produced by Northumberland National Park Authority. Details are believed to be correct at the time of going to print (March 2017). Front cover: Den making in the North Tyne Valley Alasdair Mackenzie. Photographs : Paul Buxton, Laurie Campbell, Roger Clegg, Hexham Courant, Deve Photography, Nigel Eve, Simon Fraser, Jason Friend/Alamy, Jim Gibson/Alamy, Andrew Heptinstall, Simon Kovacic, Andy MacCandlish, Alasdair Mackenzie, Will Nicholls, North East Wildlife, NNP Mountain Rescue Team, Linda Pitkin/NPL, Brian Rogers, Cain Scrimgeour, Shutterstock, David Taylor, Joan Thirlaway, Alan Wrigley/Alamy, NNP Volunteers & NNPA Staff. Illustrations : Cathy Brett, Joanna English, Tony Hopkins. This publication includes mapping data licensed from Ordnance Survey. Crown Copyright and database right Ordnance Survey Please recycle. 47

48 Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team is a volunteer organisation (Registered Charity no ) that provides a vital life saving service 24/7, 365 days a year. The team provides search and mountain rescue services to Northumbria Police, over an operational area that covers all of Northumberland and the Tyne and Wear conurbations (some 2159 sq miles). Calls for assistance include search and mountain rescue, and also search and rescue of missing children and vulnerable adults in both rural, and urban settings. If you would like to help the Mountain Rescue Team by making a donation go to: BEFORE YOU SET OUT FOR A WALK Always tell someone where you are going, when you expect to be back, and who to call if you do not return on time. CARRY THE 10 ESSENTIALS Map & Compass (know how to use them) Whistle (to signal searchers if you are lost) Torch (with spare batteries and bulb to signal searchers at night) First Aid Kit Warm Drink & Food Wind & Waterproof Clothing Hat & Gloves Extra Warm Clothes Emergency Rations Emergency Shelter (a large poly bag big enough to get into) Search & Rescue at work Tess - Search & Rescue dog WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU NEED ASSISTANCE FROM MOUNTAIN RESCUE Call the Police on 999 AND ask for Mountain Rescue. If you are lost, stay where you are. The Mountain Rescue Team will soon be out looking for you, even in the dark.