College Valley walk in Northumberland
Mar 15, 2016 21:00:23 GMT
grindle, peony, and 2 more like this
Post by Fractal on Mar 15, 2016 21:00:23 GMT
Last Sunday I visited the beautiful College Valley in the far north of Northumberland that actually borders onto Scotland. Even though the sun didn't really get out, the temperature was 13 degrees though snow still held out on some of the north facing tops. Some interesting wildlife seen on the way too.
The area is renowned near to the entrance of the valley for the ancient Bronze Age hill forts notably the very large one on top of Yeavering Bell. One day I'll ascend it to inspect it personally though the climb is quite heavy going!
Map of the area.
From the car park just below the little village of Hethpool, you can walk the whole six and a half miles to the far end (and almost at the Scottish border) finally getting to the surprisingly little known yet magnificent waterfall at the end called The Three Sisters.
Having a break at the memorial with the popular wedding venue of Cuddystone Hall in the background.
Some of the stones in the circular wall that surrounds the memorial are a veritable battle ground for space!
Zoom shot to the flanks of The Cheviot from the memorial.
We continued on for a couple more hours passing several large patches of frog spawn including mating frogs everywhere. Almost standing on them there were so many! We managed to avoid them of course. Wish I'd thought to take some pics of them!
The ground towards the end of the valley starts rising noticeably as we bend around to the left towards the strangely named Hen Hole and up to the waterfall.
Looking back as we start the ascent to the waterfall. An odd very remote shed?!
Getting closer...
Ta-da!
Video:
Lunch break
As we left the waterfall and headed back the way we came, Nic spotted this Common Lizard. A bit sluggish but it seemed to appreciate the warmth of my hand. It stayed there quite happily for a couple of minutes until I gently put it back where it came from.
Thoroughly enjoyed the day though my feet were aching and wet (a bit soggy underfoot between that shed and the waterfall) by the time we walked back to the car.
The area is renowned near to the entrance of the valley for the ancient Bronze Age hill forts notably the very large one on top of Yeavering Bell. One day I'll ascend it to inspect it personally though the climb is quite heavy going!
Map of the area.
From the car park just below the little village of Hethpool, you can walk the whole six and a half miles to the far end (and almost at the Scottish border) finally getting to the surprisingly little known yet magnificent waterfall at the end called The Three Sisters.
Having a break at the memorial with the popular wedding venue of Cuddystone Hall in the background.
Some of the stones in the circular wall that surrounds the memorial are a veritable battle ground for space!
Zoom shot to the flanks of The Cheviot from the memorial.
We continued on for a couple more hours passing several large patches of frog spawn including mating frogs everywhere. Almost standing on them there were so many! We managed to avoid them of course. Wish I'd thought to take some pics of them!
The ground towards the end of the valley starts rising noticeably as we bend around to the left towards the strangely named Hen Hole and up to the waterfall.
Looking back as we start the ascent to the waterfall. An odd very remote shed?!
Getting closer...
Ta-da!
Video:
Lunch break
As we left the waterfall and headed back the way we came, Nic spotted this Common Lizard. A bit sluggish but it seemed to appreciate the warmth of my hand. It stayed there quite happily for a couple of minutes until I gently put it back where it came from.
Thoroughly enjoyed the day though my feet were aching and wet (a bit soggy underfoot between that shed and the waterfall) by the time we walked back to the car.
