Harbottle Crags Is That of an Farm I Regularly See Red Squirrels, Deer Oystercatchers Not Trampled

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preservation of our natural heritage, by to transport limestone from the east of AdderAdder minimising these disturbances or even Harbottle to the Alwinton Lime Kilns you carrying out active conservation measures passed on the way up the hill. to arrest the decline of these important The fi elds here are owned by Mrs habitats. Sheldrick and managed by her son Simon. The nature reserve itself is an area of Mrs Sheldrick has owned these fi elds for beautiful open moorland and includes the over 12 years now and it was a previous Drake Stone, where nearby rocks have tenant of hers who entered the land into been scratched and polished by the ice the Countryside Stewardship Scheme with sheet of the last glaciation. The site is Simon very happy to continue with it. largely covered by upland heather heath Carefully balanced grazing “It gives us the chance to manage the and contains outcrops of sandstones land the way we want to” Simon goes on and provides an ideal habitat for adders it. Stewardship means that he can gain a to explain. and other wildlife to thrive such as the reasonable income from it without using carnivorous round-leaved sundew and the “We employ a full time worker and fertilisers - thus allowing grasses and wild A delicate balance… large heath butterfl y and emperor moth. without the CSS we would probably fl owers to thrive. The Scheme imposes spring grazing restrictions so that the One of the most memorable sights you have to intensify, although I’m not really emerging wildfl owers are not nibbled and may encounter whilst walking up the interested in that side of things. On the ground nesting birds such as lapwing and moorland of Harbottle Crags is that of an farm I regularly see red squirrels, deer oystercatchers not trampled. adder basking in the sun. These lovely and almost every sort of mammal you snakes are our only poisonous snake and would expect to see in the north east. As far as the livestock is concerned, Simon should be observed and not approached. With the Scheme’s help we have been has to strike a delicate balance between The adder is present throughout the UK able to restore some stone walls and do overgrazing and undergrazing. but is found mainly in the south-west and other bits and pieces.” “We have a fl ock of Scots Blackface north-east of England, and parts of Central This particular fi eld is known as Hob’s ewes which we put next to a Textel ram, Scotland. Knowe and is known as management crossing a good traditional British breed Many of our reptile species in Britain code P1 - this is “Defra speak” for a fi eld with the more continental ram thus are declining, particularly the more that is grazed all year round. This fi eld producing a good solid lamb. We are in widespread species and they do not The Old Lane could be very productive from a farming the process of putting more cattle in our respond well to agricultural intensifi cation. point of view if Simon used fertiliser on system to help balance the grazing. Some of the risks to adders include … from the highs of Harbottle “We do keep a couple of fi elds out of the the loss of suitable conditions through Crags to the heights of upland scheme as a precaution, which allows us the "improvement" of land for farming pastures. to use fertilizer to help us to grow more or development, overgrazing or regular grass if we have a hard year.” mowing/strimming of vegetation When you walk up the lane from Low which removes valuable resting and Alwinton you eventually emerge onto So creating a balance is very important overwintering sites, causes disturbance what appears to have been a lane or track and is carefully managed through a and can kill them. So the importance of through a wonderful grassy pasture (point combination of good husbandry, active partnerships between conservation bodies 9). This lane has been marked on maps partnerships, careful use of available such as the Northumberland Wildlife since at least 1866 and you can see that resources and hard work on behalf of the Trust, Defra, the Ministry of Defence at one time it was lined by two hawthorn farmers. and Forest Enterprise can assist in the hedges. The route was probably used Scots blackface and her lamb

Opening doors to a forever changing countryside How to get there Harbottle is situated approximately 8 miles from Otterburn, 8 miles from Rothbury, 20 miles from Morpeth and 35 miles from Newcastle. START HERE What are the Countryside Gateway series of walks all about? These walks follow a trail through public rights of way, permissive paths and bridleways, over farmland and countryside throughout the north east of England. They offer an opportunity to experience the wonderful landscapes in our region and to witness, fi rst-hand, the efforts of the people who live and work in them. In some cases you will be walking through a landscape A Countryside Gateway that has been farmed by the same family for generations and this offers unrivalled walk through the . . . opportunities to learn about some of the methods of conservation taking place and how modern farming practices are offering new opportunities for tourism, conservation and commerce. We hope that these walks will provide you with an insight into how Defra and its Moorland fl owers Harbottle partners are working with farmers and landowners to protect the features that are important for the countryside - for its people and its wildlife. Defra have initiated schemes that create a direct link for agriculture and the environment to work in harmony protecting both jobs, countryside heritage and the environment. Other schemes are helping farmers and rural businesses diversify into areas such as providing high quality Crags produce, recreation and tourism. “From silent Spring to the march of the seasons, each buzzing with biodiversity. A decade of vision and action that is slowly but surely putting wildfl owers and wildlife back into the countryside of England, thanks to a dynamic partnership of farmers, and government and non governmental organisations large and small. Common Woodland walks sense, and information and technology transfer now paves the way ahead for a farmed environment with all the benefi ts of soils, landscapes and rural communities once again in good heart.” David Bellamy, Bedburn, March 2002

For more information about this walk and others in the series, please contact: Defra (RDS), Quadrant, Newburn Riverside, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE15 8NZ. Tel 0191 229 5500 Email: [email protected]

Our thanks go to our partners: The Countryside Agency, Durham County Council, Northumberland County An easy walk through heather, Stunning views Council, English Nature, English Heritage and the Ramblers Association. woodland and upland pasture of the Design, production and interpretation by: Differentia Ltd, 0191 2332330. beautiful Coquet Valley. Illustration by Steve Pardue (www.wildlifeillustration.com). Photography by Steve Pardue and Jim Milner. Distance: 4 miles Grade: Easy Carry on the path up the hill and note 10. As you reach the bottom of the hill that the track splits allowing you to take go through a gate and carry on the path a detour up to the Drake Stone. Carry on through woodland with the River Coquet straight to the top of the hill to the right of on the right. Go past a house on the right the Drake Stone. As you reach the top of and follow the path right through trees the track note the cotton grass blooming keeping a fi eld to you left and woodland with furry blossom. Look out for ring ouzel and the river on the right. This fi eld and and sweet woodruff. Ahead is Harbottle others down by the river has permissive Lake - which may have waterbirds such access provided through the CSS on Mr as teal, gooseander, common sandpiper Common's land. The access was provided and dipper.dipper. The moorland supporsupportsts many to complement the access Harbottle Castle The lime kilns of Low Alwinton birds such as wheatear, black grouse, to the Castle. After you have 1. As you go through Harbottle meadow pipit, merlin, peregrine falcon As you walk on the verge notice the explored the castle you can from the south, drive through the and whinchat. wealth of meadow fl owers such as self then have a wander down to the river bank - ideal picnic NOTE: The peat bog at the eastern end heal, cow parsley, grasses, veronica, main street. As you pass through territory! of the lough was formed from a layer chickweed, white orchid, heath the village there is a car EmperorEmperor spotted (or common spotted) dragonfl y of Sphagnum moss growing over Look for heron fl ying lazily park on the right for the deep water.water. Please kkeepeep to orchid and early purple orchid in the overhead. Meadow cranesbill castle. Park here - good the footpaths as the bog is fi eld eld which which is is rich rich in in meadow meadow fl flowers owers 11. Eventually you spot for a picnic and extremely dangerous and and is part of a Stewardship LapwingLapwing will see a track on the could result in drowning! Agreement. a brief visit up to the right which goes over castle, which is one This whole area is a SSSI 8. As you reach the a bridge over the of English Heritage's and forms an extensive bridge look over into the Coquet. Stop a Coquet and watch for properties. Turn right out area of dwarf-shrubdwarf-shrub heath while and look dipper, common sandpiper and Grazing among the CSS of the car park and head with associated blanketblanket bog. for kingfi sher, PartPart of the land here is farmed unusually for upland rivers, kingfi sher. dipper and common down the main road on the grass by Mr Carruthers, who has reduced the Cross the bridge and turn right at Low sandpiper. As you cross the bridge verge. Admire the hills on the left number of sheep he grazes on the moor by Alwinton Cottages. Walk down the the track meets a Tarmac road - turn which is in the Northumberland entering into a Countryside Stewardship track and cross a cattle grid past the right here and at the end of this road cottages on the left. National Park and a Site of Agreement. This will help the heath turn right onto the main road and Special Scientifi c Interst (SSSI) regenerate without becoming over grazed. Continue over another cattle grid up through the village back to the car. 4. Head towards the lake and follow to the Alwinton Lime Kilns which have a Harbottle castle is managed by English as well as being in a Countryside panel explaining their history. There is Stewardship Scheme. the waymarker sign over a stile. Cross Heritage and a is well worth a visit. The the stile and follow the footpath down lots of dog rose, foxgloves and buttercups fi rst castle was constructed by the Norman towards the lake. There are lots of large here. Over the fence on the right is a Lord Redesdale about 900 years ago. fl at rocks here - ideal for a picnic or meadow which is rich in grasses and simply to just enjoy the peace and quiet. fl owers. It is also a SSSI and NNR. 5. At the end of the lake there is a stile Look for swallows and butterfl ies here. over a fence - ignore this and turn right This large area is known as Castle Haugh following the path up a hill towards and Park House Moor Field and has been woodland with the fence on the left. in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme Head in to the Forest Enterprise woodland since 1994. The farmer, Mr Dixon runs and follow the path in a more or less an organic farm and much of the land he manages is upland pasture. This is Rich meadow grasses straight ahead direction. Enjoy the quiet of the pine forest. The path here follows especially important for breeding upland One of the many beautiful plaques in the car park of Harbottle Castle Look out for Adders on the road here. On the fence line which has by and large birds such as lapwing, curlew and golden the verge is bracken, ash honeysuckle and fallen down but is still visible. plover. It was built to a design introduced into the drooping fl owers of water avens. 9. At the end of the Tarmac path go Britain by the Norman’s and known as Look out for butterfl ies and emperor a motte and bailey castle. This consists 2. After a short way turn left into the dragonfl ies. Also woodland birds such as through a gate heading towards a small Forest Enterprise woodland. You can also woodland ahead. Follow the grass track of a large conical mound - the motte - coal tit, long-tailed tit and chaffi nch. Also which would have been surmounted by a park here. Carry on up the track in the in July look for the red berries of bilberry. to the corner of the woodland through woodland and turn left up a track which the fi eld. Look to the right and you can palisade and a tower. Later the Norman’s takes you to the signs to Drake Stone. see the castle on a mound. This fi eld is replaced the palisade on top of the motte Go through a gate at the top of the track largely grazed by sheep and is in a CSS with a stone keep. Part of this keep which is Northumberland Wildlife Trust - it is rich in meadow grasses. Ahead you remains, along with fragments of the stone Harbottle Crags Nature Reserve. can see the lovely wooded valley of the curtaincurtain wall and gatehouse. The stone Coquet. Eventually you come to a wooden walls of the castle have been and repaired 3. Go through the gate fence and a stile - go over this and follow as they were in danger of collapse. The and note the signs about this path down the hill. gatehouse was recently excavated by breeding moorland birds. archaeologists from Newcastle University, Once through the gate turn and the gatehouse uncovered by the right up the hill through the A wonderful farming landscape shaped by generations archaeologists have been consolidated to SSSI moorland up to the of farming families provide visitors with a better appreciation Heathers blooming Drake Stone. among moorland grasses 6. Eventually the path comes out of of this type of defensive structure. The forest on the right is now woodland and to a gate. Go through mainly Scots pine - look out the gate and turn right onto a track. go 8 N for red squirrels at this point. through another gate and carry on the As you walk through the track with the forest on the right. 14 moorland note the heather At this point there are open fi elds which is made of three on the left “Barrow Knocks” types - heather (ling) which which combines a SSSI and a 9 Heath spotted orchid grows on the dry tussocks, Stewardship Agreement. cross-leaved heather and Look out for butterfl ies ies 7 bell heather which grows in the damp such as red admiral, 6 hollows between the tussocks. Look out foxglove and tormentil. for adders - make plenty of noise as you Also bedstraw,bedstraw, the little walk through heather which is enough blue fl ower ower of of the the heath heath to ensure that they are not surprised by milkwort.milkwort. MilkworMilkwortsts were human presence, also watch out for the once thought to improve little yellow fl owers of tormentil, bedstraw, milk production in cattle 10 wolf spider and tiger beetles running and hence the name! The hopping over the track. many little white fl owers owers 2 1 11 you may come across could be eyebright. On 3 the verge on the right look out for orchids such as heath spotted orchids and early purple.

7. Carry on the track to a 5 4