High on Byerhope Bank
Distance: 5 miles,
Minnimum Time: 3hrs,
Difficulty: Moderate,
Description:
The hills of Hexhamshire are wild and windy and, if thereâs a hint of cloud in the skies, theyâre dark, dramatic and brooding. In summer sun the drama is brought into colour by the vivid purple blooms of the bell heather. For ramblers in the Tyne and Allen valleys, Hexhamshire offers walks both long and short; walks where you can see to far horizons and stride out with the aroma of that heather wafting in the winds. Allenheads is a good place to start. As its name suggests, this village lies at the end of the Allen Valley, where the green fields give way to the high moors.
Prosperous Lead Mining Area. Like many villages in these parts Allenheadsâ prosperity grew and declined with the lead mining industry, but just about keeps a foot in the 21st century with tourism. At one time the village had a population of more than 1,000: now it doesnât exceed 100. Cottages line the river, with an inn, heritage centre and cafÃ© half-hidden by conifer plantations. This route heads in the Rookhope direction, on to the moors of Byerhope. A stony track, the course of the Broad Way, takes you along the fringes of the moor, overlooking Allendale. The track was built initially to carry ore and supplies between the lead mining villages but has now been surfaced for the Land Rovers of grouse shooting parties. The profuse heather makes these some of the best shooting moors in England. Beyond some quarries the track winds around to Byerhope, which in past centuries was a thriving village of farms and smallholdings owned by lead miners. Like many of the families of Allenheads, the Byerhope miners were involved in a bitter strike in 1849 with W B Lead over a time-andmotions study that engineer, Sir Thomas Sopwith, had imposed on them. There was fiery talk of tormenting blacklegs to their graves, but the strike was eventually broken. Those who held out were banished from working the mines again and were forced to leave, many to America. At Byerhope, today, thereâs just one inhabited cottage and a few crumbled ruins. The route leaves the Broad Way on the hillsides beneath High Haddock Stones. A grassy zig-zag path offers pleasing prospects across Allendale to Knockshield Moor and Killhope Law. Past a terrace of colourfully painted cottages you come down to the river and follow it past Peasmeadows. The river returns to the outskirts of Allenheads, where the back road eases you past the strangely named hamlet of Dirt Pot to the village centre.
While you're there: The Allenheads Heritage Centre delves into the history of the villageâs lead mines, from ancient times to their closure in 1896. Here you can see a fascinating engine house and blacksmithâs shop. Open daily, 10am to 5pm, Easter to October and with wheelchair access.
What to look out for: Keep an eye out for kestrels, which can often been seen hovering in the skies searching for a mouse or a vole in the fields. This fine bird of prey, which is a small falcon, has long pointed wings and a long tail. It has a chestnut-coloured mantle speckled with black and has a black tail bar. The chest is a paler buff colour, still with speckles. The male can be easily identified by its pale-grey head. The kestrelâs call is a loud and repetitive âkee-kee-keeâ.
Where to eat and drink: Cosy Allenheads Inn is a friendly place with cluttered antiques and curios. Thereâs a good selection of bar meals and cask-conditioned ales and itâs child friendly, too. The cafÃ© next to the heritage centre prepares excellent sandwiches, coffee, cake and light meals, and near by there is a childrenâs play area.
Directions:
From the front of the heritage centre head east to the B6295 road which you cross to follow the lane signposted to Rookhope. This climbs steeply out of the valley between spruce plantations. At a sharp left-hand bend beyond Eastend Reservoir, leave the road and go over a step stile on a path signed âRookhope Roadâ. Trackless, but guided by a wall on the right, the path climbs westwards across two fields of rough pasture and over two stiles.
After cutting a corner the path rejoins the road high on the moors. Turn left along the road for a few paces, then follow a stony track at the right-hand side, past quarry workings. This traces the moorland rim above Allenheads, which now hides in the forest.
After passing a quarry and huge cairn (good views of Allendale) the track turns right then meanders around Middle Rigg before turning sharp left to pass the old ruins of Byerhope hamlet.
Beyond the occupied Byerhope Farm, at High Haddock Stones, the track swings right again, away from the valley; here you leave it. A waymarker post, the first of many, highlights the bridleway wanted. This clear grooved grassy path makes a circuitous descent into Allendale. After passing some old grassed-over quarry workings the bridleway descends to a gate by a row of colourful terraced cottages on the main valley road.
Across the road go straight on, down a minor lane, which fords the River East Allen; fortunately, thereâs a wooden footbridge on the right to help you cross.
Where the road bends right uphill at Peasmeadows, leave it and go down the cottageâs drive, beyond which you join a riverside path. Ignore the first bridge across the river and stay with the path past Burnfoot. Go across a footbridge over Middlehope Burn, then continue though a pleasing little ravine of heather and bilberry. As it approaches lead mining spoil heaps the path gets sketchy. The easiest course is to climb to the brow of the bank on the right and follow this to the road near Slag Hill.
Turn left down the road to recross the East Allen, then turn right at the T-junction. The quiet lane leads back into Allenheads, past the hamlet of Dirt Pot and the old Presbyterian chapel.
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