Category: Northumberland
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The College Valley
We have found that the College Valley is a convenient stopping off point on the journey north. It can be found in the northern part of Northumberland National Park, bordering the wild and beautiful Cheviot Hills. It covers an expansive area of approximately 12,000 acres but is privately owned.
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Middledean Camp
Viewed from across the precipitous Middledean Burn, the double earthbanks of the Iron Age fort known as Middledean Camp stands out against the smooth rounded hills of Breamish Valley in the Cheviots. Double earthworks such as this are termed ‘bivallate’. Promontary hillforts are those which are defended by steep slopes on 2 or 3 sides.…
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Yeavering Bell
I must admit I was a bit disappointed. The largest Iron Age Fort in Northumberland, occupying 12 acres of a twin topped, 361m. The most interesting are the remains of the perimeter stone rampart. Within it, archaeologists believe there were 100 timber-built roundhouses or other buildings and an inner fort excavated out of the rock.…
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River Tweed
The River Tweed, traditionally designated as the border between Scotland and England since 1018 when Malcolm II, King of all Scotland, claimed the River Tweed as the boundary of his kingdom. But Berwick-upon-Tweed’s strategic importance, on the north bank of the river, has meant the town has undergone several changes between the kingdoms of Scotland…
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St. Abb’s village
Named after the Headland, so familiar to listeners of the shipping forecast, which is named after the 7th-century, monastery which, in turn, is named after its founder, Aebbe. Aebbe was a Royal princess, born to Aethelfrid, King of Northumbria. She was an Angle, and to use modern parlance, probably a 2nd generation immigrant from Southern…
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The Battle of Homildon Hill
I just love it when I learn something new out the blue. The plan was an early start to bag Humbleton Hill, a 298 metre hill overlooking Wooler. On the map, a hill peppered with Gothic letters: a couple of settlements, a fort, a hut circle, and a homestead. Plenty to pique my interest. But…
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Howick Haven
One of the many small sandy bays along this stretch of the Northumbrian coast between Boulmer and Caistor. At the turn of this century, an amateur archaeologist spotted some worked flints protruding out of an eroded sandy cliff just beyond the far side of the bay. He reported the finds to Newcastle University who investigated…
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Sir Guy, the Seeker
One stormy night, a brave and noble knight, Sir Guy, is riding along the coast and arrives at Dunstanburgh Castle on the Northumbrian coast. Suddenly the gates burst open to reveal a tall old man with a white beard and a halo of flames flickering around his bald head. Around his waist, there is a…
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Beadnell
I suppose I am drawn to the sea, perhaps I am a thalassophile at heart, but not quite ‘sjøvant‘ as the Scandawegians would say, not being entirely at ease. I remember a works outing in 2003, a sailing trip from Hartlepool to the Farne Islands for the weekend. I was so bad, even though the…
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Sir Guy the Seeker
This legend reminded me of Freebrough Hill when I first read it. A supposedly hollow hill in which King Arthur, sleeps surrounded by his knights. Sir Walter Scott told a similar tale of Thomas the Rhymer in Eildon Hill, not a million miles away from Dunstanburgh Castle on the Northumbrian Coast. But the hero of…