Walk – Rothbury 3
Circular – Harbottle via Biddlestone Edge
Time: 3 hours.
Difficulty: 2 – 3 Intermediate
(1: easy, 4: difficult)
A reasonably challenging Walk on the edge of the Cheviots with stunning views.
Start: Harbottle Village.
Park in Harbottle village near the Tea Rooms and the Pub. (For suitable refreshment after your walk)
Follow the main road west out of the village, on your right you will see the remains of Harbottle Castle, once the home of the de Umfraville and built on the order of Henry 2nd in the 12th Century.
After 1¼ miles you will see a bridge in front of you and a junction on your right leading uphill. Turn right here (signposted Netherton). As you go up hill the valley you see on your left follows the River Alwin leading past Clennel Hall which is built around a 14th century pele tower.
Follow the road for 2.8 miles; the views from this road are superb as it is quite high up, you can see across the wide Coquet Valley to Rothbury and Simonside. Pass Biddlestone Edge on your right and take the next right turn. (Signposted Sharperton)
Follow the signs all the way to Sharperton. You will pass a road on your right (Well House) and a road on your left (Harbottle Grange) after 1½ miles you come to a ‘T’ junction, turn right here and follow the road downhill for 1¾ mile through Sharperton to the next ‘T’ junction. (About three hundred yards to your left is the route of the Roman Road which lead from Bremenium Fort in Redesdale to Alnwick)
Turn right at this junction and follow the road over the River Coquet back towards Harbottle.
After 1 mile you will see two cottages on your right, just beyond the cottages are really good views of Harbottle, and Harbottle Castle.
Walk another ¾ mile and “enjoy your refreshments”
Alnwick Walks and Rothbury & Coquetdale Walks
are the copyright of
B. Hewison @ www.westacrehouse.co.uk, Alnwick. Tel. 01665 510374
Disclaimer: Some of these walks are on the Public Highway, although the route chosen is usually very quiet, please remember that vehicles may legally travel along open country roads at speeds in excess of 30 mph. If possible, please walk along the right side of the highway or the verge if appropriate. Please stay on the right hand side, facing the traffic. This walk has been provided in good faith and the author can accept no liability for any accidents which may occur.
Walking Northumberland Links:
www.walking-routes.co.uk
Shepherds Walks
www.footstepsnorthumberland.co.uk
Enjoy photos of the area by Graeme Peacock
If you have a favourite walk in Northumberland, particularly in Alnwick District and you would like to share it with others send us an email to West Acre House and we could include it on these pages with a credit to you.
Reproduction of the information contained herein is usually permitted with permission of the owner.