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Hethpool to Kirknewton Circular Walk - Page 2 

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Continued from page 1

16) The track passes some cottages at Old Yeavering and joins the road from Wooler to Kirknewton which you probably drove along if travelling from the south.

Turn left here and walk along the road towards Kirknewton. Care is needed along this road as some large trucks use it as well as local traffic.

Joining the road to Kirknewton.
Joining the road to Kirknewton.

Empty road but cars can be travelling quickly.
Empty road but cars can be travelling quickly.

 

17) The road turns sharp right at a row of cottages and the Kirknewton War Memorial on the corner provides a good view across the valley.

View to the monument on the hill.
View to the monument on the hill.

Approaching Kirknewton.
Approaching Kirknewton.

   
Kirknewton War Memorial.
Kirknewton War Memorial.
Kirknewton War Memorial.
Kirknewton War Memorial.

 

18) After a left corner in the road the church is soon approached and the entrance is along a lane. There are 2 paths into the churchyard, the second being the main entrance.

This is the Church of St. Gregory the Great and is well worth a visit, especially if you are interested in local history.

In the churchyard are the well tended graves of British and Canadian Airmen who died while serving at nearby Millfield Air Base during World War 2.

Parish Church of St. Gregory the Great, Kirknewton.
Parish Church of St. Gregory the Great, Kirknewton.
Parish Church of St. Gregory the Great, Kirknewton.
Church Entrance.
   
Graves of British and Canadian Pilots.
Graves of British and Canadian Pilots.
Parish Church of St. Gregory the Great, Kirknewton.
The church tower.

 

19) Leaving the village, on the right is the old Kirknewton Railway Station Building on the line that ran from Alnwick to Cornhill.

Kirknewton old railway station.
Kirknewton old railway station.

Kirknewton old railway station.
Kirknewton old railway station.

 

20) Just past the station is a track to the left with a public footpath signposted to Hethpool. This route could be followed but involves crossing the College Burn via a ford that at best will be almost knee deep or impassable without a tractor!

View back to Kirknewton and Yeavering Bell.
View back to Kirknewton and Yeavering Bell.

Ignore this path unless you like paddling.
Ignore this path unless you like paddling.

 

21) Instead continue ahead and over the bridge and immediately on the left take a path that leads along the bank of the College Burn.

Bridge over the College Burn.
Bridge over the College Burn.

The College Burn.
The College Burn.

22) The path was very narrow when we used it and overgrown with Gorse in places. It soon rises up away from the College Burn across a stile before dropping down into a small meadow.

Overgrown path alongside the burn.
Overgrown path alongside the burn.

View back after crossing stile.
View back after crossing the stile.

 

23)  At the far end of this meadow on the left is a ford across the College Burn mentioned earlier.

Heading back down to the valley.
Heading back down to the valley.

View along the valley to Newton Tors.
View along the valley to Newton Tors.

 

24) The path continues along the valley floor for a short distance through a gate then rises quite steeply up a hillside.

Ford across the College Burn.
Ford across the College Burn.

Passing through a gate before starting uphill again.
Passing through a gate before starting uphill again.

 

25) Looking back from here there are fine views past Kirknewton to the hills beyond.

View back along the path.
View back along the path.

View across the Valley to Torleehouse.
View across the Valley to Torleehouse.

 

26) The path levels out and passes through a gate / stile before skirting the woods above the College Burn.

Another gate to pass through.
Another gate to pass through.

A fine view back from here.
A fine view back from here.

   
Path skirting the fence and woods.
Path skirting the fence and woods.
Heading down into the valley again.
Heading down into the valley again.

 

27) After a while a stile on the left crosses a barbed wire fence. From here the path goes downhill towards the College Burn. It had recently been cleared when we visited but can be slippery in places so care is needed.

Another stile to cross.
Another stile to cross.

Narrow and slippery path.
Narrow and slippery path.

 

28) The path soon emerges beside a small footbridge on the left. This would be part of the short circular walk mentioned earlier.

A detour to the footbridge is worthwhile to view the waterfalls below, but it is not the route back to Hethpool.

Waterfall in the College Burn.
Waterfall in the College Burn.

There is a path to the falls.
There is a path to the falls.

 

29) Instead follow the path straight ahead with the College Burn on your left to emerge on open ground.

The path soon opens out to pasture land.
The path soon opens out to pasture land.

View back along the College Burn Valley.
View back along the College Burn Valley.

 

30) A stile is crossed and a bog is soon approached that is crossed via a small wooden footbridge. From here the path goes straight ahead (not up to the right) across a field to rejoin the track to Hethpool.

Crossing the bog.
Crossing the bog.

A view back to Easter Tor.
A view back to Easter Tor.

 

31) Turn right up the track with the cottages ahead and from here it is a short walk back to the car park.

Last uphill bit to Hethpool.
Last uphill bit to Hethpool.

Approaching the cottages.
Approaching the cottages.

   
View to Hethpool House.
View to Hethpool House.
Hethpool Cottages.
Hethpool Cottages.
   
Final view back to Easter Tor.
Final view back to Easter Tor.
Back at the car park.
Back at the car park.

Notes

Walking Gear:

- Good waterproof walking boots essential.  Gaiters also useful in wet weather.

- Warm and waterproof clothing essential - weather can change quickly.

- Walking pole helpful in places.

- Other standard hill walking equipment should be carried.

 

Food and drink essential.

Maps - Ordnance Survey Landranger sheet no. 74 - Kelso & surrounding area.

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