12 days away planned in Bellingham, Northumberland with Geoff, Jane & Jake (the dog) Once arrived we checked in to the Camping & Caravanning Club site (Brown Rigg) and set up on our corner plot next door to Geoff & Jane. The site is quite small with reasonable sized pitches. Good service point for MH and quite close for refilling water etc.
Once set up and sorted we headed out on our first explore, walking through Bellingham and along the river and up towards the Hareshaw Linn waterfall. The route up was really pretty and had information boards about the route.
Friday brought the first of several trips to Kielder water. We’d planned a walk round a couple of headlands on the south side of the lake. We discovered some of the architectural installations that have been placed at periods around the forest park.
The Wave Chamber was a stunning installation – a Stone conical chamber with a tiny hole in the roof with a mirror reflecting the water, amplifying the sound of the waves and creating patterns on the floor. You could sit and meditate in there for ages
We also came across 55/02 a structure used as a shelter with sliding doors and views across the water
Further around the lake we encountered Robins Hut (part of the touching love story of Robin & Freya). The hut framed stunning views of the lake and was surrounded by lovely trees
Having been so impressed by the installations we decided to return later in the week for another look around.
Saturday saw us embark on a bike & hike combo. We cycled from the site to Dally Castle, Jane bringing Jake in the car and meeting us there. After a look at the ruins of the 14th century castle we set off on our hike
The hike took us through lovely forests, crossing rivers and eventually crossing open moorland to complete our 14km hike back to the castle. After a quick snack break we were back on the bikes pedalling back to the site.
Back in the hiking boots 🥾 on Sunday we’d opted for a route along Hadrians Wall taking in the iconic sycamore tree 🌲. The early part of the hike took us out across open moorland, finding new paths as marked ones were closed, eventually after negotiating a field of cows, arrived at the style which took us onto the Pennine Way and Hadrians Wall.
The walk along the wall was spectacular- lots of up and downs, small lakes, trees and ruins of Roman buildings. Superb day!!
Monday saw us out on the bikes again checking out the little village of Redesmouth. In the afternoon we headed out from the site on foot over the hills at the back of the site – touching again on parts of the Pennine Way
Tuesday, Geoff headed out on one of his cycling challenges completing the highest road points in Northumberland. Jane decided to stay on site with Jake so me and Adrian loaded up the bikes onto Herdy and headed back to Kielderwater We planned to cycle the whole lake so that we could stop off and check out the rest of the architectural installations we hadn’t yet seen.
The cycle turned out to be just under 50km with 650m of ascent. In fact there wasn’t a flat bit of track anywhere and some of the terrain was rough and stoney so we needed to be careful especially on the descents. The installations were great, but particularly the Janus Chairs, Silva Capitalis, Freya’s Hut and the Viewpoint.
This was a great day with great stop offs too – the Anglers Arms for lunch and the Tower Knowe visitors centre for ice cream 😋😋
Wednesday saw another hike from the site in Bellingham to Redesmouth and back. It took us through woods, by rivers and across open countryside. Back at the site we had a chilled afternoon, did a few chores and some outdoor yoga 🧘🏼♀️. All followed by a great BBQ.
On Thursday we’d planned a big hike back at the north end of Kielderwater. We headed out but soon got caught in some wet and blustery weather. We’d got as far as the summit of Deadwater Fell but couldn’t see anything at all. Reluctantly we turned around and headed back to the lake for a regroup , intending to be back over the weekend.
We headed to Tower Knowe visitor centre and bought hot chocolate and brownies which we had overlooking the water. In the drizzle we had a shorter walk around a short section of the lake.
On Friday Geoff had another lengthy ride planned so the 3 of us with Jake took the car and drove to the very pretty village of Wark, following a mainly riverside route back to Bellingham
The early riverside walking was stunning, including the tree lined route and sheep fields on route.
After a tricky negotiation with 2 bulls, skillfully moved on by Adrian so Jane and I could get through over the disused railway and head our way back to Bellingham
Once back at the site we got ready for our celebration of Geoff and Janes wedding anniversary – afternoon tea in a railway carriage at the Carriage Tea Rooms in Bellingham. Yummy 😋 food had by all.
Saturday promised to be a great weather day so we were off back to Kielder to complete our aborted walk from Thursday. Back to the top end of Kielderwater we headed off back to the summit of Deadwater Fell with its radar station and another architectural installation overlooking the lake
From here we headed off to our next two summits of Mid Fell and then the highest point of the day Peel Fell from where we crossed the border into Scotland 🏴
The terrain wasn’t easy at the top – lots of tussocks of grass and open peat bogs. But not ones to miss a challenge Adrian and me headed off in search of the Kielder Stone. A huge lump of sandstone used as a post box in the times of the Riever Raids, this is an impressive structure which we had completely to ourselves. Great spot for lunch!
After lunch we headed back the 150m back following the border fence posts bringing us out back at the summit of Peel Fell. From there still following the Scotland border we made our way to the Jenny Storie Stone overlooking the valley and Wauchope forest in Scotland 🏴.
Our final day consisted of outdoor Yoga practice, a walk into the village, football & tennis watching, a BBQ and an evening dog walk with Jake. All packed up and ready to leave in the morning. A superb time was had by all!!!
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