I’ve walked in Northumberland for several decades and so know from experience that it’s a county which offers a wonderful variety of walking opportunities, I was therefore delighted when the publisher offered me a copy of this pocket-size guide to twenty walks in the region. I’m familiar with most of the walks David Wilson chose to include and was delighted to discover that his descriptions certainly capture the individual attractions of each of the routes I know well – happy memories flooded back as I enjoyed reminiscing from the comfort of my armchair! However, the guide, with its wonderful photographs, has also made me impatient to put my walking boots on, to not only re-visit some old favourites, but to explore some new routes during the coming months.
The walks are divided into three sections: along the Northumberland Coast, with routes which incorporate the stunningly beautiful coastline, castles, fishing villages and seaside towns; through the Northumberland National Park, exploring the wild beauty of the hills of the Cheviots, ancient settlements and the dramatic splendour of Hadrian’s Wall. The final section, History & Heritage, includes trails which allow walkers to ‘follow in the footsteps of industrial pioneers’ whose vision helped to develop this wonderful county, to explore the ‘hunting estates of Northumbrian royalty’ and to walk through one of the largest man-made forests in Europe. However, each of the detailed descriptions which accompany every walk contain information about the history and heritage which has shaped the landscape, something which adds layers of interest to each day’s outing, ensuring that walkers can truly appreciate the landscape they’re walking through.
I never fail to be amazed by just how much information is contained within these pocket-size walking guides from Vertebrate Press. The directions for each walk are clear and easy to follow, including the distance in miles, total feet of ascent, type of terrain, approximate timing for the walk, where to park, local amenities and where to find refreshments. This detailed information makes it easy to assess how easy or challenging each walk is. Details of the relevant OS Explorer 1:25,000 map are included and, as sections of a number of long-distance trails feature on some of the walks, I appreciated the inclusion of links to their websites.
It is without reservation that I recommend this truly delightful collection of day walks to anyone who wants to discover, or rediscover, the magnificent beauty of sparsely-populated Northumberland.