Bellingham Waterfalls
A walk through ancient woodland to a ‘magical’ waterfall. Further on the footpath is Hareshaw Linn waterfall. Wander down to the waterfall, but take care.The depth and dampness give the feel of an ancient rainforest - ideal conditions for the 300 species of mosses, liverworts and lichens that thrive here
Bellingham has its roots in the 12th century when St Cuthbert’s Church was first consecrated. But its
heyday was in the 19th century as a centre
for iron. Hareshaw Linn was the site of
two blast furnaces established in 1838
by Messrs Bigge and Partners. At the
peak of its operation it also contained
70  coke ovens, 24 large roasting kilns for
calcining the iron ore, a range of coal
stores, a blacksmith’s shop, wagon shed,
stables and stores.The iron works were in continuous production until 1848,
and were maintained by the Union Bank of Newcastle-upon-Tyne for another ten years waiting for the arrival of the
Borders Railway. By the time the railway
arrived, the bank was in financial
difficulties and the limitations imposed by local sources
of supply resulted in the iron works being auctioned and many of the buildings demolished.
Hike
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