The Cheviots cover some of the remotest ground in England. Reaching the heart of these rolling hills requires commitment, but one town makes an excellent base camp: Wooler. Vivienne Crow is your guide
LOCATED in the north-east of Northumberland, this friendly little market town sits at the base of the Cheviot Hills, near Northumberland National Park’s northern edge. Wooler is aplace that’s used to the sight of walkers marching along its High Street. The 62-mile St Cuthbert’s Way passes through the town on its undulating way from Melrose to Lindisfarne, and footpaths come and go in all directions, giving access to both low-level and more demanding walks. The peaty lump that is The Cheviot lies just seven miles away transport to reach the start point for most routes climbing to the county’s highest point.
Visitor facilities are good, with plenty of accommodation and dining options as well as asmall Co-op supermarket and several independent retailers. If there’s anything else you need to know, pop into the communityrun Tourist Information Centre on Padgepool Place (01668 282123; glendalegatewaytrust. org). The staff there are always helpful.
One last thing before you lace up your boots and go: if you’ve got an hour or two to spare, Ad Gefrin is well worth visiting. This Anglo-Saxon museum and whisky distillery opened to the public last year, and is located in asmart, new building afew minutes’ walk from the town’s Market Place.
YOUR WEEKEND, SORTED
SATURDAY Are the hills calling today? Or are you planning to take it easy? Maybe you’re still undecided... Well, head west on the St Cuthbert’s Way and see what takes your fancy. You could just have awalk on to Wooler Common and return via Humbleton (5 miles/8km; 850ft/259m; 2hours). It’s apleasant enough stroll, but… well… this is ahillwalking weekend, isn’t it? We could at least stretch to awalk taking in the Iron Age hillfort atop Humbleton Hill (7 miles/11.3km; 1400ft/427m; 3.5 hours). Better still, grab acopy of April’s TGO and check out Wild Walk 5up both Humbleton Hill and Yeavering Bell (12 miles/19.3km; 2570ft/784m; 6-6.5 hours).
Yeavering Bell, the ‘hill of the goat’, is the site of one of the region’s many Iron Age hillforts, and its stone ramparts are still evident. It’s also home, as its name would suggest, to goats –hairy, wild-looking beasties that have been wandering these lonely practising animal husbandry.
Okay, so maybe it wasn’t the most arduous of walks, but that’s no reason, après-hike, not to indulge in one of local restaurant Milan’s delicious pizzas followed by agenerous helping of tiramisu.
SUNDAY If you were impressed by the far-reaching views from Yeavering Bell, just wait until you see what’s on offer from the highest ground in the Cheviot Hills…
