Coquetdale - Northumberland Walk
Sunday 26th April 2026
A week ago we had been in Manchester supporting my daughter, who was doing the Manchester marathon, and whilst we were there one of my ankles had started to give me a lot of pain. Having rested it for the last few days I wanted to give it a gentle walk before we tried the longer walks I had planned for later in the week, so after a quiet morning we headed out along a familiar route for an afternoon stroll to see how far we could get.
Start: Whitton (NU 0586 0108)
Route: Whitton - Hillhead Road - Whitton Hillhead - Newtown - River Coquet - Rothbury - Whitton
Distance: 5 miles Ascent: 179 metres Time Taken: 1 hr 59 mins
Terrain: Clear tracks
Weather: Warm and sunny
Pub Visited: Newcastle House, Rothbury Ale Drunk: Tim Taylor's Landlord
From the cottage we head out along the track which is called Hillhead Road on the OS map and also forms part of St Oswald's Way.
When we arrive at the cottage one of the first things we do after unpacking is head out for a stroll along this track and once we see Sharpe's Folly it feels like we are on holiday.
Looking across to Garleigh Moor from the track. We actually saw someone on the summit, not something we often see.
Heading along the track towards the point where St Oswald's Way bears left to cross below Garleigh Moor.
Once we have done a short ascent and crossed the cattle grid we can look back and make out the house hidden in the trees at Cragside.
Ahead of us the Simonside Hills are constantly in view.
The gate at Whitton Hillhead is where we usually turn back if we are just after a stroll from the cottage. As my foot is feeling okay we carry on to do the circular route we had hoped to do.
We soon head downhill and ahead of us we have a hazy view of the Cheviots.
Looking across the valley to Rothbury Terraces.
The path heads quite steeply downhill towards the gorse ahead of us.
As we drop down Rothbury comes into view.
As we approach Newtown I can't help but notice how much drier this section is compared to the bog-fest we enjoyed the last time we did this walk.
Heading by Weaver's Cottage in Newtown.
Once we have gone through Newtown we turn and head back through the fields to Rothbury.
The small hamlet of Newtown from the path along Coquetdale.
Before we know it we are approaching the bridge which will take us across the Coquet river.
The Coquet from the bridge.
As we walked back along the track to Rothbury John spotted a heron in the trees. We waited a while to see if it would move, which it didn't. Later that week John would stand for 45 minutes in a similar spot waiting for a heron to fly off.
Walking back along the track next to the river and sadly no great reflections.
As it was such a nice day and all that remained was to walk back up the steep hill to the cottage we decided to join the others enjoying the warm sun and have a drink.
A good hour and a couple of pints later we cross back over the river and head uphill back to the cottage.
All pictures copyright © Peak Walker 2006-2026