Jo’s Monday walk : Bellingham and Hareshaw Linn

Hareshaw Linn, or waterfall

Hareshaw Linn, or waterfall

If I told you that today’s walk takes us to the site of two former blast furnaces, you could be forgiven for being less than enthusiastic. But you might remember lovely Hareshaw Linn from a previous post.  I was in the company of two friends with whom I go back a long way, so I had a smile on my face, even in the uphill stretches.

Ian and Pam have a caravan on a small site on the edge of Bellingham, a neat little market town in Northumberland.  It just so happens that it also sits right beside one of that county’s best walks. I hadn’t been to Bellingham for more than 30 years, but I have an enduring image of waking up there one morning to a winter wonderland.  The railing of our hotel balcony was delicately traced with snow, of which there hadn’t been a sign the night before.  No snow on our walk today!  It might make the going a little slippy, but wouldn’t it be pretty?

This is where we'll start

This is where we’ll start

This area was once the site of an iron works, established in 1833.  At the height of operating, it contained 70 coke ovens, 24 large kilns for roasting the iron ore, a blacksmiths, stables and stores.  It remained in production until 1848.  The dam in the photo above supplied water to power the works, and is one of few reminders of the past.  Nature has taken this valley back to herself, and it’s hard to imagine now the roar of those ovens.

Let's follow the path down into the woods

Let’s follow the path down into the woods

And look what we find!

And look what we find!

Growing right up into the tree

Growing right up into the tree

Ian and Pam make use of the first bench along our path
And we reach the first of the bridges
Before the path leads on

There are six bridges to cross, but for some reason only the first is numbered.

Looking for fish!

Looking for fish!

All shapes and sizes
From a sweeping curve
To the straight and narrow
The trees are laden with moss

The trees are laden with moss

Tangling with ferns and water

Tangling with ferns and water

Which gurgles on its way!

Which gurgles on its way!

There’s an element of fantasy to this woodland setting.  It feels somehow lost to the real world.

And look! Someone's been wishing on a penny!

And look! Someone’s been wishing on a penny!

Way overhead there’s a glimpse of sky
Then, a first hint of the Linn
And, grappling with the rock…
A last dramatic curtain before the grand reveal

A last dramatic curtain before the grand reveal

Isn't it lovely?

Isn’t it lovely?

And below- peaceful today!

And below- peaceful today.  Before the rains!

There’s only one way out of the valley, and that’s to retrace your steps, so you can’t get lost even if I rush on ahead.  You might want to pause to examine a few flowers.  The trail is one and a half miles long, so that’s a round trip of 3 miles, with a few ups and downs.

Funny how all the flowers down here seem to be yellow
Although the honeysuckle is more of a creamy colour

The path brings you out by the old bridge.  If you cross over the road and take a few steps back the way, you will see evidence of former times and the power of water.

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I’m pretty sure you’re ready for a bite to eat by now, and the Rocky Road cafe will give you a warm welcome.  Or there’s the ‘Rose and Crown’, just as friendly, next door, if it’s open.  The houses are largely built from the local grey stone, enlivened by troughs of flowers and hanging baskets.  I continue past the village hall to St. Cuthbert’s Church, consecrated in the 12th century. Unlatching the door, I step briefly inside, then leave quietly again.  St. Cuthbert’s Well (Cuddy’s Well) is easily missed, down by the river.

Need a few fruit and veg?
A little whitewash
And the community hall
A wooden nativity outside St. Cuthbert's

A wooden nativity outside St. Cuthbert’s Church

And inside, the Madonna
And some beautiful stained glass

I couldn’t leave without a quick look at the hotel where we stayed so long ago.  There was still a lovely view down to the river, but agreeably, no snow!  A footpath beside the river will bring you back into town, where you might want to visit the Heritage Centre.

The row houses
The North Tyne
And ‘Cuddy’s Well’

I hope you enjoyed this week’s walk, in the company of my lovely friends.  This link will take you to the Northumberland National Park site, with a map and full details of the location.

walking logo

Time for a cuppa and to share some more brilliant walks!  Many thanks to all of you who’ve submitted walks, and to those of you who are simply armchair readers.  To join me, you’ll find details on my Jo’s Monday walk page, or just click on the logo above.  Here we go!

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Got to brave the weather when you’re in the Hebrides.  Well done, Geoff!

A walk around Luskentyre

Still learning new words this week!  Thanks a lot, Anabel :

Torwood Castle and Tappoch Broch

I just know how much I would love Corsica!  Look at this!

A walk in shadow of history

Amazing share from Violet- the most incredible Junk Art!

Junk Art

For those of you who didn’t see it on BBC2, here’s Laura’s version of the Pennine Way :

Peaks and troughs

I am so privileged again to feature Suzanne’s beautiful handiwork.  Don’t miss it!

Walking in Tower Hill

Henry Moore sculptures a-plenty from Jackie this week :

Monday Walk- Toronto

Did you ever see anything lovelier than this?  I know Sue S will approve!  Many thanks, Amy!

Monday Walk : Bow River

You have to applaud the sentiments of the next one, as well as the beauty!  Cheers, Jesh!

Friends Walk Together

And if you’d like, share some reminiscing with my beautiful friend, Meg?

Walking a memoir

It wouldn’t be Monday without Jude in Cornwall, now would it?

St. Just in Penwith

For something a little wilder (and spectacular!) grab your poles and join Ruth :

A rocky walk to Bicheno Blowhole

First the water spouts up, and then it flows down!  Thanks to the Eternal Traveler!

Over the Cliff

That’s it for this week!  Next week I hope to schedule my Monday walk, as I will be in Bristol gazing at hot air balloons.  Pinch me, somebody- I must be dreaming!  I don’t get back until late on Monday evening so I may be rather slow with my responses, and I will be all in a daze.

If you have any spare time, pop in to see those lovely folks at Monday Escapes, won’t you? Meanwhile, have a great week!

 

153 comments

  2. Pingback: The Old CustomHouse: a photographer’s delight, a community resource, and a Tardis | Jill's Scene

  4. Jo, I enjoyed the weaving of history and friendship on this walk. It inspired me to tell you all about my walk last week. Not quite ready to post yet. I’ll come back when it is.

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    1. Hi Jill 🙂 Lovely to hear from you and thanks. I’ve scheduled my walk for Monday and am leaving for Bristol in about half an hour. I won’t have laptop with me and won’t be back till late Monday, so I’ll add your walk next week instead, if that’s ok? Bye for now! Excited!!! 🙂

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    1. You just caught me! 🙂 I’m off to Bristol at crack of dawn tomorrow and need to spend this evening organising my time there. I’ve scheduled the walk for Monday so I’ll add you in. Many thanks! 🙂

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  8. I really must visit Northumberland… it just looks stunning. Did if feel strange to go back to Bellingham after such a long time? The stump with all the pennies is really weird and wonderful… thanks so much for taking the time to share on #MondayEscapes

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    1. I can’t remember exactly where you’re based but it would make a great family holiday (though you need a bit of luck with the weather 🙂 ) Monkey would absolutely love the water gardens at Alnwick Castle 🙂 I’d love to visit more of your escapees but the week isn’t long enough as it is 🙂 Thanks for your support.

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  10. Pingback: Arty Stroll along Orchard Road | Travel with Intent

  11. Lovely walk, Jo. Beautiful pictures. I particularly liked the one with the pennies! How old were they?
    The slide show is fabulous and an extra bonus to your wonderful line up.
    I must confess that you got me very curious to see your photos of the hot air balloons!
    Cheers!

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    1. Hard to say about the pennies, Lucile. Extremely slender and weathered some of them. There were half a dozen of the old town photos up on the wall but my photos weren’t great. Atmospheric though 🙂 No idea how well I’ll do photographing the balloons. I’ll be jumping up and down with excitement! Thanks for your company 🙂

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      1. Don’t be so hard on your photos! I disagree with you. My take is always to not focus on technique as the only truth. A good photo is that one which always speaks to you. Your photos not only speak but have additional voices coming from your fantastic narrative and warm presence! What else could we wish for?
        Just to see the balloon photos next!
        Hugs

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  12. This is like a fairyland, Jo. I love the moss and lichen in the trees – it actually reminds me of the tropics so it’s hard to imagine it snows there! I’m intrigued by the penny stump. It’s a classic! 😀

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  14. I like your north country walks, and this is a gem. The traces of its industrial past, cobble stone paths, the wooden nativity and the penny stump are a delight. It’s kind of your friends to let us share their time with you!

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    1. ‘Penny stump’! That’s what I’ve heard it called, Gilly, but I couldn’t remember the expression. Anabel suggested ‘wishing tree’. 🙂 I rather like both. Thanks, darlin’ 🙂

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    1. I knew I’d confuse somebody, Cathy, and it might as well be you! 🙂 🙂 I didn’t actually enclose a photo of my hotel. I took one but didn’t think it did the place justice. It’s a big old house with ivy sprawling up the sides, a patio looking down on the river and wood paneled bar. You’d like it! 🙂 The photo I think you mean is of the row houses which are very nearby. Hugs, darlin’ 🙂

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  19. A beautiful walk and with wonderful ‘old’ friends too…what could be better? I can see why you get ‘lost’ in these woods – in a good way of course, ha! I’ve never seen an old tree trunk with pennies pushed into it like that, fascinating. Your photo of the waterfall is so lovely the way the light plays on the water. I am sure I caught a glimpse of a fairy or two dancing in a sunbeam 🙂 Lovely walk, thank you for taking me along with you Jo, I enjoyed it very much 🙂

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    1. It definitely had a hint of fairy dell, Sherri. But for real fairies have a look at Violet Sky’s share! 🙂 (it’ll be featured on mine next Monday, if I manage to get that post scheduled before I go, but it’s in the comments just below yours 🙂 ) Thanks, darlin’. Look after yourself!

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      1. Thanks Jo, you too 🙂 And I will take a look when I get back to blogging in a couple of days, promise. Hubby is getting impatient with me now, been blogging for hours, yikes!!

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