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Posted: Wednesday 25 June 2008
North East Associates Elsdon, Northumberland, Walk
- 25th June -
When approaching Elsdon by car most of us came in from the south-west, seeing the whole settlement sitting in a natural amphitheatre overlooked by hills to the north, east and south. We weren't able to appreciate this fully on this overcast day in what felt like February temperatures. Over forty Associates participated, though.
Elsdon from the south
A “perfect” Northumberland village with its houses surrounding a tidy seven-acre village green Elsdon is a living place, with an active population, a church and a part-time pub. Situated in the Northumberland National Park, fortunately it has not suffered the fate of other such settlements which oft appear soulless as part of a larger “estate”. The surrounding area, however, displays many relics from the past, these including extensive ancient “ridge and furrow” field markings.
Elsdon Tower
The hills to the north are our first target, first passing Elsdon Tower. This is a "tall house" built in medieval times, originally having its entrance at first floor level to protect the occupants from attack during the times of the border reivers. The walls are, so we're told, eight feet thick. Next encountered are the remains of Mote Hills Castle, a massive earthwork dating from Norman times which dominates the landscape.
Ascending Landshot Hill, having passed a rusting relic of the countryside
A swing to the north-east now and we go up and over to tiny Hudspeth where we turn south east and climb nearly to the top of Landshot Hill.
London Trampers' "ball of string" could have been needed here as paths were not marked and were ill-defined due to little use.
On Landshot Hill
Level for a while now through long grass and heather as we skirt Harwood Forest - the rain started here - and then descend a little towards Eastnook.
A damp descent
A sharp turn west now with a steeper descent to Whiskershiel Farm, crossing a burn with the same name a couple of times, on the way to Todholes. We louped over it first and then plodged across on sunken stepping-stones!
This is real Northumberland country, away from the Tyneside conurbation and the flat plain to the east - real hills and plenty of sheep.
South now for about half-a-mile - uphill - where our paths diverge, those on the longer walk (nearly seven miles) having gone far ahead.
The larger group, at 5½ miles, turn north now, for the last mile – downhill to Elsdon and crossing Whiskershiel Burn again, this time on a substantial footbridge.
The last mile
A challenging walk this, in an area where, as mentioned, footpaths seem little used and thus are not easily found.
Meanwhile the other group continued west, passing Gallow Hill before turning north then east for Elsdon. This is a walk through beautiful and remote countryside and an encounter with many little-known place names.
The two groups returned within minutes of each other and as the small village pub couldn’t cope with our number we then high-tailed it to nearby Otterburn. Here, in a full room, the Percy Arms Hotel offered their hospitality to us and some additional Associate lunchers.
ph 14/07/2008
pictures: ph
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