Falstonedonkleywood
A delightful walk taking in hill views and the tranquillity of the River North Tyne valley.
Falstone Old School Tea Rooms are housed in the old Victorian
schoolhouse. Pupils rode into school from the outlying farms and left
their ponies in the school stables - now the kitchen! Northumberland
National Park Authority worked with the local community to renovate the
building in 2004, incorporating many innovative renewable energy
features.
Food is available at the Old School Tea Room and The Blackcock Inn at
Falstone as well as The Pheasant Inn at nearby Stannersburn.
The tiny village of Falstone lies at the foot of the Kielder Dam, the
largest man-made reservoir in Europe. Like many settlements in the
North Tyne valley, Falstone may have developed from a shieling. Many
farmers lived in Bastles, or fortified farm houses, as defence against
fellow Border Reivers.The Border Reivers were lawless local families who
robbed each other and their peaceful neighbours during the 16th and
17th centuries.
Local facilities
Wildlife
Birds to look out for down by the river include heron, dipper and
wagtail. On the moorland you may see curlew and skylark, and buzzard
circling overhead.
Red squirrel live in both native broadleaved woods and the planted
conifer blocks. Look out for nibbled fir cones, a sign of their
presence.
Hike
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