Northernvicar walks – a Corbridge circle, 16 May 2018

I had a day to myself, so drove across to Corbridge and parked in the village car park. I had picked up a leaflet for a 10 mile walk up to the Wall and back – a Corbridge Heritage Trail. I crossed the Tyne, went up through the village, past a North Eastern Railway bench.

I went and explored some fascinating bottle kilns, part of Walker’s Pottery, which operated through the C19, through until 1910. The kilns are approximately 14 metres high and 10 metres in diameter at their base, although tapering to a narrow hole of 2 metres diameter at their apex and are entirely constructed of corbelled brickwork. Now there are some interesting plans to make them into holiday cottages – see here.

I went under the bypass, then along to Aydon Castle. I didn’t expect it to be open, and was very glad it was – I needed a tea. There isn’t a lot in the castle, and it makes you wonder how English Heritage can afford to keep it open and staffed – website.

I continued up to Halton, called in at the church, then sat on a bench for a sandwich. You can find Halton on this blog.

Then up to the Wall at Onnum fort, and turn left along it. The old garage complex by the Errington Arms is still empty, though the pub was serving. On another two fields, then down through Portgate Farm. Down to Stagshawbank Burn, and across to the A68. This area was the venue for Stagshaw Bank Fair every year. Thousands would gather to buy and sell horses, sheep and cattle. The Science Museum has an 1846 poster for extra trains run by the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway – catalogue. I called the picture below “The Power and the Glory”. I crossed the A68 by the old pub, then a gorgeous path down to Leazes Lane, through a ford, and back under the bypass. There’s a path to the Middle School across a field of ridge and furrow – where they seem to want to build 185 houses.

 

I called in at St Andrew’s church – blog – which was stuffed full of flowers – it had obviously been some wedding. The Vicar’s Pele is now a micro-brewery! Back to the car – 10 miles walked.

 

This entry was posted in 1,000 mile walking, Hadrian's Wall Walk, Northumberland, Roman. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *