Northumberland June 2024

Back to Northumberland, but this time away from the beaches. An opportunity to do some walking around Hadrian’s wall country. We stayed at the lovely Vallum Kiosk, near Hatlwhistle. A great base as the wall path was only 10 minutes away from the door. We got soaked on the first day when we went for a quick walk, but after that the weather was kinder—still some rain but it improved as the week went on. We took several walks along the wall (great to be able to walk beside it and be continually impressed by it), going East as far as Cawfield Quarry and the busloads of Americans to be found there, West as far as Housesteads (passing the impressive Steel Rigg and Sycamore Gap), and the South around Vindolanda. We also managed a lovely waterfall walk to Hareshaw Lynn, a walk via the impressive Lambley Viaduct and the Talkin Fell Circular with its impressive curricks. We also managed a visit to Paul and Julie at theirs and a visit to see Catherine at the Kings Arms, her new venture in Temple Sowerby.

June might not be the best time to visit here. The weather wasn’t great and there were so many cows with young in fields where we walked which made things tricky. But it was beautiful nevertheless and we enjoyed some fab walks as well as some great pub food in the Twice Brewed and the biggest fish and chips in the world from Haltwhistle!