National Park Walks with Kids: Northumberland National Park
Posted by Jess (@todburn_tales), Mum of 2 and Little Trekkers Social Media Manager shares one of her favourite walks in the Northumberland National Park with us as part of our National Park Walks with Kids series, for National Walking Month. on 28th Apr 2022
Jess (@todburn_tales), Mum of 2 and Little Trekkers Social Media Manager shares one of her favourite walks in the Northumberland National Park with us as part of our National Park Walks with Kids series, for National Walking Month.
WINSHIELD CRAGS & CAWFIELDS
This is a fantastic walk along some of the best-preserved sections of Hadrian’s Wall. Its most certainly not boring for kids as there is lots to see along the way. You’ll be treated to amazing views from the highest point on the Wall. Sam thought it was very cool being at the highest part of the entire wall! We imagined what it would have been like to be a Roman and have to walk up here in sandals!
This area is dominated by the dramatic Whin Sill Ridge along which Hadrian’s Wall is built. This rock was here 295 million years before the Romans, that’s a long time!
Walk difficulty -Moderate (Not pushchair friendly)
Walking boots and appropriate clothing are recommended.
Walk distance -6 miles (Can be made shorter)
Walk duration- 3.5 hours (Not including stopping to discuss things, picnic and baby carrying slowing me down!)
Location-Hadrian's Wall
Start Point- The Sill carpark. Postcode- NE47 7AN
1st 15 mins- Free
Up to 2 hours- £2.00
Then £1.00 per hour thereafter up to a maximum of £5.00.
ROUTE
Facing the main entrance follow the path around the right-hand side of the building to the wicket gate by the main road. Cross the road into the small woodland and turn left up the footpath that runs alongside the road heading uphill.
Take the footpath through the kissing gate on the left, signed ‘National Trails/ Caw Gap’. Follow the grassy path straight on, Hadrian’s Wall is on your right.
It's a steady climb up to the trig point on the top of Winshield Crags, the highest point on Hadrian’s Wall at 1,132 ft / 345m. For a longer walk, continue to Cawfields OR retrace your steps back to your start point.
Its always a bonus if our walk features a Trig point, Sam is busy 'bagging trigs' in Northumberland, he carries a flag in his very own Deuter junior rucksack , we take a photo at each trig!
Follow the path as it goes up and down alongside Hadrian’s Wall. Head down the stone steps to the minor road at Caw Gap.
We stopped by some rocks for a picnic, which is a very important part of any hike! We sat on our Northumberland Map PacMat to enjoy the view and our sandwiches!
Cross the road, go through the kissing gate and follow the path signed ‘National Trails /Cawfields Quarry’. Continue alongside the Wall, up and down to Turret 41a, Thorny Doors, Cawfields Crags and then Milecastle 42. Milecastles were small forts built every Roman mile along Hadrian’s Wall.
A short there and back detour up the crag ahead gives great views over Cawfields lake, which was a Whinstone quarry for road-stone from 1902 until 1952, long before Hadrian’s Wall was given World Heritage Site status!
Take the path through the gate and head down to Cawfields.
For a six year old, he really does appreciate a good view, this being one of his favourites!
From Milecastle 42 take the path through the gate and head down to Cawfields where there are toilets and a picnic area by the lake. Having explored Cawfields retrace your steps back up to Milecastle 42 and from there return the way you came, back to your start point.
THE SILL
The Sill is a 'National Landscape Discovery Centre'. It has lots to offer, a lovely shop with locally handmade products, exhibitions and a café. It is free to enter and everything is open to the public. You can also enjoy the spectacular views from the rooftop walk. Sam loves going on the roof here!
It's great for kids, you can learn all about landscapes in the 'What is a Landscape' permanent exhibition? My son particularly enjoyed this area. He loved creating his own digital landscape which linked sand and state of the art technology, very cool!
