Bill's Walks

John Martin Heritage Trail

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This lovely walk in the Tyne Valley around Haydon Bridge is another local walk like the Red Kite Trail and Bedes Way, sponsored by different groups which in this case is Haydon Parish Council. It was developed by a community project in 2004 to celebrate the life of John Martin and was officially opened in 2006. It is funded and managed by Haydon Parish Council and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the National Trust some of whose land it passes through.

John Martin (1789 -1854) was born in Haydon Bridge and became the most popular artist of his day. His paintings are set in dramatic landscapes and are often based on religious stories. They can be seen locally at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle and also grace the Tate Gallery in London.

The walk takes the shape of an unbalanced figure-of-eight with the northern section being only 2 miles whilst the southern section is 11 miles with the two routes meeting at the railway station in Church Street. The scenery throughout is excellent and the way is well waymarked. The northern route starts off going down the riverside to pass West Mill Hills and along the east side of Haydonside Plantation to the road where it turns left to West Haydon Farm. Next comes Page Croft before going across fields to Haydon Old Church where he worshipped. This is a great spot to take a rest and sit on a seat to enjoy the views of the southern section. At The Tofts it then goes south down across the fields to Church Street .

The southern section leaves Haydon Bridge to the west on the south bank and goes to Morallee Wood and its pleasant tarn owned by the National Trust (at GR 805635) via Lees Farm. It is then down to Allen Banks where you head south upriver through Plankey Mill to eventually arrive at Staward Pele Tower with the easy way and steeper climb both mentioned in the leaflet. This leaflet also highlights the danger on this section and indeed on one occasion it was too icy for us to use this section due to the steep banks. The return to Haydon Bridge is via Harsondale Farm and its access road. This section passes quite close to Carts Bog Inn which serves both good food and ale. It is then past West Deanrow where a minor road is taken to Langley Castle now restored to a superb hotel. Locate a broad track opposite the entrance which is followed to a footpath heading north (at GR847269) which leads downhill back to the start.

A leaflet for the walk can be obtained from the newsagents in Church Street in Haydon Bridge and further information can be found on www.visit-haydon-bridge.co.uk. I can highly recommend this walk which deserves to be better known and can be fitted in on a short break with a visit to Hadrian’s Wall.