📌 Simonside Hills, Northumberland
★★★★
The Simonside Hills are a low hill range running parallel to the River Coquet south of Rothbury. Principally heathery moorland, the visual interest comes from superb views over Coquetdale, abrupt sandstone crags and unexpected neuks created by contorted rock formations; perfect hiding places for local duergar dwarves, said to lure people off cliffs or into bogs in the dark of night. Nearby car parks enable quick access to the summits, but this longer circuit from Rothbury is much more satisfying, traversing the characterful east half of the ridge. There’s a bit of everything en route: ancient hill forts, mysterious rock art, farmland and forest, several historic buildings, and a pleasant riverside stroll back to the cafes and pubs at the finish.
📷 Chronological photo guide
River Coquet, Rothbury 
Rothbury from Whitton Bank 
Sharpe’s Folly 
View back from above Whittondean 
Simonside Hills ahead 
Lordenshaws cup & ring marks 
Ascent to The Beacon 
The Beacon, view ahead 
Approach to Dove Crag 
View back from Dove Crag 
Dove Crag, view ahead 
Rothbury from Dove Crag 
Old Stell Crag 
Old Stell Crag 
Old Stell Crag 
Simonside 
Tosson Hill from Simonside 
View north over Coquetdale 
Little Church 
View from Little Church rocks 
Descent to Great Tosson 
Great Tosson 
Tosson Tower 
Tosson Lime Kiln 
Track near Newtown 
Crossing the River Coquet 
Riverside return 
Rothbury
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on Whitton Bank Road, south bank of River Coquet, Rothbury. Several alternative start points where route meets roads
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NU 057015
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.307646,-1.911458
🚌 Bus to Rothbury
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 15 km / 9 mi | ▲ 480 m | ⌛ 4.5-5.5 hr
Features: 🏠 Rothbury ★★; 🏰 Sharpe’s Folly; 🏰 Lordenshaws ★★; △ Simonside Hills – The Beacon to Simonside (430 m); 🕸 Little Church (cave); 🏰 Tosson Tower; 🔥 Tosson Lime Kiln ★; 💧 River Coquet
⬤ Moderate | Clear paths & tracks, brief steep parts with big rocky steps. Some minor road sections. Navigation skills required, as there are lots of different paths!
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit: start & Rothbury – cross River Coquet on footbridge – cross back at road bridge – Whitton – Sharpe’s Folly – Whittondean – Lordenshaws – The Beacon – Dove Crag – Old Stell Crag – Simonside – Little Church – Windy Crag – Tosson Tower – Tosson Lime Kiln – cross River Coquet on footbridge – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Sheep & lambs, cows & calves in same field as path, rabbits, pheasants, greylag geese. Small fish, mute swans & mallard ducks in the River Coquet.
Weather: Quite sunny, moderate westerly winds, temperature in high teens.
May 2023
