Coquetdale
At the mid-point of Northumberland National Park, lies Coquetdale.
Through it, the River Coquet meanders past rolling moorland, rocky outcrops and ancient hay meadows.
This amazing valley oozes lush scenery and we love the fact that it feels wonderfully remote.
Upper Coquetdale is classically Cheviot-like. Heavy moorland with wild flower meadows.
Further south around Holystone the scenery changes. The landscape becomes more wooded.
Nestled in this rolling moorland you’ll find a selection of postcard-pretty villages like Longframlington, Alwinton, Thropton and Sharperton.
Rothbury is the biggest and calls itself the capital of Coquetdale.
Walking
We used the pretty village of Alwinton as our base to explore Coquetdale.
A pathway north from Alwinton follows the course of a very ancient routeway called Clennell Street, which links Morpeth to Kelso.
Up here the Coquet begins in the wilderness of the Cheviot Hills on the England Scotland border, near the remote Roman camp of Chew Green.
A wonderful 8-mile circular walk will take you into the hills beyond Alwinton along the River Coquet.
This walk returns along the old drove road of Clennell Street. The views along the way are stunning!
You could opt for a shorter walk. This 5-mile circular walk will start along Clennell Street and the return route is along the River Alwin.
Pennine Way
If you are walking the Pennine Way you will (hopefully) reach Upper Coquetdale on day 14.
To experience this epic trail through Northumberland, you can enjoy a 9-mile Walk the Way in a Day circular trail.
This circular trails follows the course of a Roman road from the marching camp at Chew Green, at the head of Upper Coquetdale.
The return route runs down a narrow valley beside a lively stream, then along a quiet road connecting isolated farmsteads.
Cool Places to Explore: Cragside | Northumberland Coast AONB | Wallington Hall & Garden | Kielder Forest | Hadrian’s Wall.
