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Date 08/11/06
Leader: Russell S
Distance: 8 miles
Weather: Mainly overcast
Walkers  
Parking: Blanchland car park
Map: Ordnance Survey OL
   

Route Summary - Blanchland, Nookton, Gibraltar Rock, Newbiggin, Baybridge, Blanchland.

 

Blanchland is an idyllic English village set in a steep sided valley at the head of Derwentdale. The village is built on the site of a Premonstratensian priory and is owned by a charitable trust, to which the village was bequeathed by Lord Crewe, last of the Prince Bishops of Durham , in 1721. The name Blanchland means "white land", and derives from the white habits of the monks who came here in 1165.
About to head off from Blanchland.

We walked through the village, passing the Lord Crewe Arms on our left, happily noting a sign telling us that the hotel would be open all day.

After crossing the River Derwent we took a left turn to join a footpath, walking through woodland, the river accompanying us on our right.

After about ½ mile we turned left onto a minor road and started to climb Bale Hill but soon rejoined the footpath by turning right into the wood, following Bolt's Burn. At the site of a disused quarry we stopped for a tea break. Ken made his way over the burn for a better place to sit and nearly fell in on returning. Luckily (for him) no cameras were at the ready!

At the end of the wood, near Townfield we turned left to join a minor road. Soon we turned right onto a footpath then continued on footpaths and lanes passing Haining's and Cockdale plantations through to a lane at Wagtail. Here we made a left turn and after ½ mile joined a path to Nookton Farmhouse where we made a right turn walking across fields to the abandoned Gibraltar Farm. Some of us had a quick explore of the farmhouse to find it still had a brass bedstead complete with mattress and the rooms still had impressive fireplaces. The floorboards had seen better days so we made a quick retreat.

Soon after leaving the farm the path dropped steeply at Gibraltar Banks, Gibraltar Rock coming into view on our left. Here is the source of the River Derwent, where the river is formed by the confluence of the Nookton and Beldon Burns.

The path then crossed Nookton Burn then the River Derwent before climbing very steeply through woodland. After stopping to catch our breath we continued to Long Plantation where we turned right the path taking us back to Banchland via Newbiggin and Baybridge. Then it was off to the Lord Crewe Arms for our usual well earned refreshments after our exertions!

The hotel was originally part of the Abbey of Blanchland, and some of the rooms date from the 12th century, whilst other parts of the hotel were developed in the 17th century by Lord Crewe. The hotel garden, now a scheduled ancient monument, was originally the abbey cloister.