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Rothley Castle Circular Walk.

Introduction

This walk follows a circular route around the hill upon which Rothley Castle is perched.

It provides fine views north-west towards Harwood Forest and Simonside, also to the east towards Longwhitton.

The walk starts at Rothley Crossroads where there is a large layby on the road from Morpeth.

The route can be followed in either direction, we walked anti-clockwise

Total distance - just under 3.5 miles.

View to Harwood and Simonside from Rothley Castle.
View to Harwood from Rothley Castle.

View to Longwhitton from Rothley Castle.
View to Longwhitton from Rothley Castle.


Walk

On leaving your car, walk along to the crossroads and turn left towards Scots Gap.

Follow the road south, taking care as some traffic may be travelling quite fast along here.

Road from Rothley Crossroads to Scots Gap.
Road from Rothley Crossroads to Scots Gap.

View from road towards Harwood.
View from road towards Harwood.

 

On your left are Rothley Crags above which the castle can be seen.

To the right across open fields are views towards Harwood.

Rothley Castle seen from road.
Rothley Castle seen from road.

Rothley Crags
Rothley Crags

 

After about a mile you will reach the junction to Rothley.

Turn left here and walk along the road to Rothley which consists of a few houses.

Junction of road to Rothley.
Junction of road to Rothley.

Road to Rothley.
Road to Rothley.

View south from Rothley.
View south from Rothley.

View back along the road from Rothley.
View back along the road from Rothley.

 

Just past the houses on your left take the signposted track to the left.

Follow this track which soon becomes a footpath as it heads towards Rothley Park Farm.

Track from Rothley.
Track from Rothley.

Roses beside the path.
Roses beside the path.

 

After a short distance the castle once again comes into view.

The path can be a little narrow.
The path can be a little narrow.

Rothley Castle in the distance.
Rothley Castle in the distance.

 

The path crosses open land and just before Rothley Park Farm passes through a gate.

Path to Rothley Park Farm.
Path to Rothley Park Farm.

Looking back after passing through the gate.
Looking back after passing through the gate.

 

Turn left here onto a good track.

Almost immediately to your left is a track that leads up to the castle. It is not clear whether this is a right of way or not, but the sign further back indicates that the land has been made accessible to the public.

Track back to Morpeth Road.
Track back to Morpeth Road.

Gate and footpath to Castle.
Gate and footpath to Castle.

 

If you choose to detour to the castle there are fantastic views of the countryside in all directions, particularly north-west to Harwood and Simonside.

The castle itself is just a ruin but the remains have been undergoing restoration recently.

Rothley Castle ruins.
Rothley Castle ruins.

Rothley Castle ruins.
Rothley Castle ruins.

Looking out from the Castle.
Looking out from the Castle.

The main Castle Tower.
The main Castle Tower.

View to Harwood and Simonside from Rothley Castle.
View to Harwood from Rothley Castle.

View over Rothley Crags.
View over Rothley Crags.

View over Rothley Crags.
View over Rothley Crags.


View to Longwhitton from Rothley Castle.

 

On returning back from the castle turn left along the very straight track. This is a pleasant walk back to the road from Morpeth.

Track back to Morpeth Road.
Track back to Morpeth Road.

Track back to Morpeth Road.
Track back to Morpeth Road.

 

When you reach the road turn left and proceed back to Rothley crossroads.

Just before you reach the layby an opening to your right provides another fine view towards the castle.

Road back to Rothley Crossroads.
Road back to Rothley Crossroads.

Final view of Rothley Castle.
Final view of Rothley Castle.

Notes

Good walking boots essential.

Waterproofs advisable depending on the weather forecast.

Map - Ordnance Survey Landranger sheet no. 81 Alnwick, Morpeth and Surrounding Area.

Use of information on this page is at the users risk and subject to our terms of use. (No reproduction without permission).

 

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