River and riverbed at Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, Northumberland. — Enjoy views of the River Allen on this walk | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

North East

Bardon Mill Station to Allen Banks

This short walk from Bardon Mill station to Allen Banks takes in the River Tyne, the ancient yew tree at Beltingham Churchyard and beautiful open countryside before heading into the wooded valley of the River Allen.

View or download a print-friendly version of this trail

Total steps: 5

Start point

Bardon Mill train station, grid ref: NY778645

Step 1

Leave the station heading east and go over the railway crossing. Follow the road and cross the river via the footbridge.

South Tyne River

The South Tyne rises on Alston Moor and flows through the North Pennines AONB before passing Haltwhistle, Haydon Bridge and ultimately joining the North Tyne at Warden Rock near Hexham, which has been dubbed 'The Meeting of the Waters'. It then flows as the River Tyne heading to Newcastle and out to the North Sea. These rivers provide an important breeding ground for migratory salmonids and brown trout plus a whole host of other wildlife including otter, water vole, birds and bats.

Step 2

When you meet the road head left and continue all the way to Beltingham.

Step 3

In the village of Beltingham take a small detour to the churchyard and see the ancient yew trees round the back of the church. Leave the churchyard and continue in the direction you were out of Beltingham.

Ancient yew trees

There are three ancient yews in the grounds of St Cuthbert's Church in Beltingham. The yew to the north side is said to be around 900 years old, one of the oldest yews in Britain today; the other two around 400 years old. One feature of the church is a 7th-century Saxon Cross which, along with the yews and all being at the centre of Britain, suggests this was once regarded as a highly sacred place.

Step 4

At the road junction head left.

Step 5

There's a public footpath on your right after about 100yd (90m): follow this across the fields past the 'ha-ha' until you reach the gate into Allen Banks. The large house on your left is Ridley Hall, whose former owners landscaped Allen Banks into what we see today. Once in the woods head left to make your way down to the car park or go right to explore further.

Ha-ha and Ridley Hall

The purpose of a ha-ha is to stop grazing stock entering a garden whilst providing a view from the house (from Ridley Hall in this case) where the garden and landscape appear to blend together without any disruption. It is only when getting close you can see how the optical illusion was created by a retaining wall hidden behind a sloping landscape. People finding out for the first time that they had fallen for such a visual trick provided much amusement, which gave rise to the name ha-ha.

End point

Allen Banks car park, grid ref: NY798639

Trail map

Bardon Mill Station to Allen Banks walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

Visitors admiring the autumn view on their walk along the footpath at Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort, Northumberland

Trail

Housesteads to Steel Rigg circular walk

Explore one of the richest parts of the country for Roman archaeology on the Housesteads to Steel Rigg circular walk and get close to Hadrian's Wall.

Walkers at Sycamore Gap on Hadrian's Wall

Trail

Sycamore Gap walk

Take a circular walk starting from the visitor centre to the Roman Fort and then along the World Heritage Roman wall footpath to the iconic Sycamore Gap. Although the Sycamore tree is no longer there, the stump remains and may regrow. See great views across the countryside as you walk alongside the ancient wall in the heritage landscape.

near Ridley Hall, Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 7BP

allenbanks@nationaltrust.org.uk

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website

A group of people in a hiking group are being guided on a hike by rangers at Marsden Moor, West Yorkshire

Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner

Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.

Article

Follow the Countryside Code

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

Two visitors walking a dog along a woodland path at Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, Northumberland

Article

Things to do at Allen Banks and Staward Gorge

Get out into nature and explore the rich ‘wilderness garden’ at Allen Banks – a woodland paradise with walking trails and abundant wildlife including red squirrels and roe deer.

Walkers climbing rocks against a bright blue sky with the mountains in the distance at Sugarloaf, Monmouthshire

Walking

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

Areas A-Z

Things to do

Place types

Bardon Mill Station to Allen Banks

Total steps: 5