Tyne Valley, Northumberland
★★★
This fairly easygoing (but navigationally slightly tricky) circuit explores a trio of villages north of Prudhoe in the verdant Tyne Valley region west of Newcastle, with the intervening terrain varying between wooded denes, open fields and riverside paths. Ovingham, Horsley and Wylam are characterised by idyllic streets, old churches and a tendency to tickle the tastebuds: all three have a choice of pubs, cafes and restaurants, leaving walkers in search of refreshment spoilt for choice. Choose your start point carefully as it may dictate where you end up for lunch! Prudhoe Castle is reachable via a short detour (recommended) near the end, with an admission charge to enter.
Chronological photo guide
Ovingham village 
St Mary the Virgin, Ovingham 
Whittle Burn at Ovingham 
Whittle Dene 
Whittle Dene 
Whittle Dene 
Crossing the A69 
Field path north of the A69 bridge 
Crossing Whittle Burn near the confluence with Marlow Sike 
Track at Spital 
Road towards North Dunslaw Holm 
Horsley Hill 
Horses near… Horsley 
Horsley village 
Path leaving Horsley 
Ripe blackberries 
Field path towards Howdene Burn 
Crossing Howdene Burn 
River Tyne from Horsley Wood 
Horsley Wood 
Wylam village 
Old railway bed near Wylam 
Hagg Bank Bridge 
River Tyne seen from the bridge 
Return path along the River Tyne 
Prudhoe railway station 
Prudhoe Castle 
Ovingham Bridge
Location
O.S. Grid Reference: NZ 085637
GPS coordinates: 54.968102,-1.868459
Prudhoe (join route near finish) |
Bus to Ovingham (or Horsley / Wylam, at different points on the route)
Street parking
Key info
16 km / 10 mi | ▲ 350 m |
4.5-5.5 hr
Features:
Ovingham;
Whittle Dene & Burn;
Prudhoe Castle ★★★
⬤ Moderate | Generally clear paths, tracks & short stretches of minor road. Section north of the A69 is somewhat faint / overgrown in places (can be avoided with a shortcut via Fellside House).
Clockwise circuit: start & Ovingham – Whittle Dene – cross A69 on footbridge – Spital – Horsley Hill – Horsley – Holeyn Hall Road – How Dene – Wylam – Hagg Bank Bridge – track along south bank of River Tyne – Prudhoe railway station – Prudhoe Castle – return to station – start
On our last visit
Wildlife: Horses, cows, grey squirrels, mallard ducks, goosanders. Ripe blackberries.
Weather: Often sunny with temperature in high teens, gentle breeze.
August 2021
