College Valley

College Valley

The College Valley is a beautiful, tranquil valley at the northern end of the Cheviot Hills within the Northumberland National Park. The stunning unspoilt views of woodland, moorland and pastureland are breathtaking and provide a magnificent backdrop to the valley below. The College Burn cuts its way through the hills meandering along the valley floor. At Hethpool Linn the burn runs through a narrow gorge, tumbling over the rocks before continuing its peaceful journey.

The slopes of the Newton Tors and Yeavering Bell are home to the Cheviot Wild Goats. The feral goats herds have lived on the hills for centuries and are thought to originate from the earliest Neolithic farmers. The goats live a totally wild existence on the hills but many will come close enough to be photographed. Roe deer, red squirrels and other wildlife also live in the valley. 

About 1.5 miles from Hethpool heading down the valley towards "The Cheviot" is a World War II Memorial dedicated to the airmen who lost their lives when their aircrafts crashed in the hills. 

College Valley

College Valley

Near Hethpool

The Cheviot

College Burn 

College Burn

Hethpool Linn

This unspoilt serene valley is the ideal place for leisurely walks along the banks of the College Burn and the spectacular Hethpool Linn or for hill climbs to the ancient hill forts. 
Below are some things to see and do whilst visiting the valley.

Hethpool Linn

Hethpool Linn Walk

Similar Places Nearby

Wooler Common

Harthope Valley

Breamish Valley

Bamburgh Lighthouse Walk

This pleasant walk along the beach from Bamburgh Castle to the lighthouse, returning via the church is about 3 miles and will take about 1hr 30 minutes - 1hr 45 minutes. Bamburgh is on the coast just north of Seahouses and about 5 miles from the A1 on the B1432 

1. Drive through the village and park in the free car park opposite the castle. 

Car Park

Bamburgh Castle From The Car Park

2. Cross the road and walk up the small road opposite towards the castle entrance. At the top take the path heading down through the dunes towards the beach keeping the castle to your left. From the beach you will see Inner Farne Island and will have a stunning view of the Castle.

Inner Farne Island

Bamburgh Castle

3. Turn left and set off along the beach keeping the castle on your left. As you near stag rock and the lighthouse you will see Holy Island in the distance. Walk across the expanse of rocks and continue up a small grassy hillock to the lighthouse. This is a good place to stop and rest and admire the wonderful views back to the castle.

Rocks Near The lighthouse

Stag Rock

Bamburgh Lighthouse

Holy Island In The Distance

Bamburgh Castle From The Lighthouse

4. Retrace your steps back along the beach for a while until you see a car park above the dunes on the right. Cut across the sand dunes and head up to the car park, Cross the car park and turn left onto a small road. Follow this road until you reach the village. Turn right and walk a short distance before reaching St Aidan's church on the right. This lovely church is well worth visiting and in the churchyard you will find the tomb of Grace Darling. Opposite the church is the Grace Darling Museum which is also worth a visit. 

Bamburgh Village

St Aidan's Church

Tomb Of Grace Darling

5. Leave the church and turn left back to the village. Continue to follow the road as it passes the castle and back to the car park.

Bamburgh

Bamburgh

Bamburgh is a small picturesque village on the North Northumberland coast. It is a about 5 miles from the A1 on the B1432 and a few miles north of Seahouses. The village is overlooked by the magnificent Bamburgh Castle and is very popular with tourists. The village contains numerous gift shops and places to eat and is a lovely place to spend a relaxing afternoon. In the peaceful churchyard of St Aidan's church is the tomb of Grace Darling and directly opposite is the Grace Darling Museum.

Bamburgh Beach is a beautiful, wild sandy beach overlooked by the towering castle. the beach, backed by sand dunes has stunning views to Holy island and the Farne Islands. It is worth taking a walk to the stag rocks and the lighthouse.

There is evidence to suggest that the area around Bamburgh was occupied as far back as the Messolithic era. In pre Anglo-Saxon times Bamburgh was called Din Guarie and was the tribal stronghold of an ancient Iron Age tribe known as Votadini. During the Roman occupation the tribe befriended and traded with the Romans. 

In 547AD the royal city and capital of Bernica was established at Bamburgh by King Ida, an invading Angle chief. In 603AD King Elthefrith, King Ida's grandson seized control of the neighbouring Angle Kingdom in Yorkshire known as Deira, resulting in the formation of Northumbria. It is thought that the name Bamburgh originates from this period when Ethelfrith named the "burgh" (fortress) after his wife Queen Bebba. Bebba's Burgh eventually became simplied to Bamburgh. 

In medieval times a village developed around the foot of the castle and a Dominican Friary dating from 1256 was established in the village. In the 18th century Lord Crewe, Bishop of Durham took ownership of the castle and began the process of restoration. After his death the Lord Crewe Trust rebuilt a lot of the village establishing a school, dispensary, hospital, coastguard service and welfare centre for shipwrecked mariners. 

Inner Farne Island

Holy Island

Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle is a magnificent ancient fortress overlooking A glorious sandy beach. Situated on the top of a rocky outcrop the castle has wonderful views to Holy Island and the Farne Islands.

Bamburgh Castle was built by the Normans in the late 11th century to replace a Celtic Brittonnic Fort known as Din Guarie, which was destroyed by the Vikings. By 1164 the keep had been built and the castle was complete. The Forster family were governors of the castle until 1700  when Lord Crew and his son John took over. In 1894 the castle was purchased by William Armstrong, a Victorian Industrialist. The castle is still owned by the Armstrong family who remain in residence. 

Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle

St Aidan's Church
St Aidan's Church was built in the 12th century, replacing the original wooden church founded by St Aidan in 635AD. the chancel was added in 1230 and is thought to be the second longest in the country. After the Dissolution of Monasteries in the 1500's and the departure of the monks the church became neglected and by 1600 was in a poor condition. The church was eventually repaired and restored over the following centuries and now sits proudly overlooking the sea. the In the peaceful churchyard of this picturesque church is the tomb of Grace Darling.

St Aidan's Church

View From The Church

Tomb Of Grace Darling

Jedburgh Abbey

Jedburgh Abbey

Jedburgh Abbey is situated on the edge of the town of Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders. The substantial remains of this once grand abbey sit proudly overlooking the river and guarding the town.

Jedburgh Abbey was founded in 1138 by King David I, prior to his ascension to the Scottish throne for a group of Augustinian Canons. Initially the church was known as a priory and then a monastery before being raised to the status of Abbey in about 1147 and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. After King David's death in 1153 the patronages and privileges of the abbey were accorded to his grandsons, Malcolm IV  and William I (William the Lion) of Scotland. In the 13th century the nave and choir were added.

 Four great abbeys were established in the Scottish Borders in the 1100's, Jedburgh Abbey, Melrose Abbey, Kelso Abbey and Dryburgh Abbey. Unfortunately all these suffered severe damage during the many conflicts during the Scottish Wars of Independence and into the 15th and 16th centuries. In 1297 as retribution for the defeat of the Earl of Surrey at Stirling Jedburgh Abbey was pillaged and wrecked by the English, who attacked again in 1346. Although in 1370 the north transept was completed in 1410, 1416 and 1464 the abbey suffered repeated attacks. In 1523 both the town and abbey were set ablaze and in 1544 the abbey was attacked yet again.

Subsequently the abbey started to fall into disrepair and by the time of the Reformation in 1560 there were only a handful of cannons remaining. The abbey church was used as the parish church until 1871 when a new church was built. During this time the rest of the abbey fell into ruin. Although in the late 1800's some restoration to the church was carried out it was never used again. 

The Nave From The East

Tomb At The East End Of The Church

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/jedburgh-abbey/

Other Abbeys Nearby 

Dryburgh Abbey

Kelso Abbey

Melrose Abbey