A697 BOULMER Heather Moors A Stone Age Inheritance B6341 A1068 Heather moorland appears to be The first farmers in this area one of the most natural cleared the forest in the early WARKWORTH landscapes in Britain. However, B6341 Stone Age (or Neolithic) and without management by farmers ploughed the land. On these B6345 R and game keepers many of the iv B6344 sandstone hills the soils are very er FELTON Co moorlands would become que t A1068 DRURIDGE BAY light and they did not stay fertile A697 A1 WALKS woodland. It is quite surprising WIDDRINGTON IN NORTH for very long. Consequently the B6341 B6342 to find that one of OTTERBURN crops became less successful and ELSDON CRESSWELL Northumberland’s more typical landscapes depends on human the land was abandoned. The Rothbury (2) plants which have grown on SCOTS GAP intervention for its survival. A696 NEWBIGGIN-BY-THE-SEA B6343 A short linear walk along the CAMBO MORPETH these poor soils ever since are k Riv nsbec A68 B6342 er Wa To BEDLINGTON to an ancient mill, and a 5 mile circular walk to heather and bilberry. The early N e w A192 A1068 ca © Crown copyright stle the heather moors high above Rothbury farmers later used the area for u BLYTH Managing heather grazing their stock. The sheep moorland grazed tree seedlings and kept the General Start/Finish moor open. The walk to Thrum Mill and back is Cowhaugh car park1 . Since the early part of the 19th In recent years the number of 13/4 miles (3km), 45 mins, and century moors have been used sheep on the moors has follows the River Coquet on a level Be a Welcome Visitor for shooting grouse. Grouse need increased. The sheep prefer to eat path. Whilst visiting the Coquet Valley heather of different ages to eat young heather shoots and more The longer walk is 5 miles (8km), take care not to disturb wildlife and to nest. The game keepers sheep mean fewer young heather allow 3 hours for a leisurely pace. habitats. Remember that the are experts at managing the Some paths may be wet or muddy countryside is where farmers earn extensive areas of heather. They plants. The result is that the in places, and there is a moderately their living. Please respect their life burn small patches of old heather heather on moorlands is steep climb out of Rothbury which and work and leave no litter. during the winter. On the burnt gradually replaced by coarse grass is rewarded with panoramic views. areas heather seeds germinate which does not provide such Three stiles are crossed on the walk. and grow. The regular burning good habitat for birds and other Dog Walkers creates a mosaic of heather of moorland wildlife. Please keep your dogs on leads to different ages. Public Transport prevent disturbance to stock and Rothbury can be reached by bus wildlife. from Newcastle and Morpeth. Details from traveline 0870 6082608. Birds on heather Woodland Services Rothbury has public toilets and a Car parking wide range of local services. The Grouse are not the only birds to In areas where fire and sheep Cars can be parked in Cowhaugh car National Park Centre provides benefit from this management. don’t reach, trees have found a park (NU 057015) just west of the tourist information, sales and Curlew and golden plover nest foothold and woodlands have B6342 to Cambo. displays. on heather moors. If you’re lucky become established. you may also see birds of prey The main trees are pine and hunting over the heather. In the birch, species which can cope past birds of prey were often seen with the poor soil conditions, as pests and shot or trapped but but there is also some thanks to better protection their rhododendron. Rhododendron persecution has reduced. was introduced from the Northumberland County Council Countryside Service Himalayas in the 19th century. It If you would like to know more about our work send an A4 SAE to: looks pretty when it flowers in Northumberland Countryside Service, Northumberland County Council, early summer, but is often County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF. regarded as a pest. It casts deep shade and smothers other plants A large print version of this so nothing will grow underneath. leaflet is available

Reprinted in May 2002. Printed on environmentally friendly paper. Thrum Mill Route description The mill at Thrumbm was once a busy flour mill along the 1 From Cowhaugh car park, main road to Rothbury. The cross the footbridge and follow mill used the concentrated the path straight ahead towards water power of the Coquet at the centre of Rothbury. Cross this point to mill grain. The the main road, to the shops, mill was first recorded in 1693 and turn left following the when it belonged to the Earl of pavement uphill. Northumberland. The water in Bear right before St. Agnes Catholic Church, and follow the river is pushed through a the pavement to the top of the channel only 2 m wide but hill, then continue straight almost 5 m deep. ahead along Hillside West. Physic Lane The Whinhams Addycombe 2 At the junction continue Masts straight ahead along the track signposted to Physic Lane. Cragside (NT) Continue up the track, and as it Hillside East. bends left take the path marked Westhills School Addycombe Gardens straight ahead along the stone Farm wall. Depot Hillside West Pondicherry Thrum Physic Lane 3 At the top of the hill cross a Mill RIV stone wall using the stone stile, ER Rothbury CO QU Road Legend has it and continue across the field to ET another stone stile (about 30 that the Knights yards down from a gate). Golf Course Hospitallers of Continue across a second field St. John of (slightly downhill) to reach a Whitton Jerusalem had a wooden stile. hospital at the bottom of Newtown 4 Turn right onto a path Physic Lane 4 (known as Physic Lane) and during the 13th © Crown copyright, Northumberland County Council LA 076775/97/13 follow it around the wood and and 14th centuries. They then as it bends left towards the probably gathered wild flowers, open moorland. 6 Continue along the track pass between houses to reach road and take the main road on bk Follow the road past the herbs and rose hips which are a through the woodland, ignoring the road. the left which goes past the Post stepping stones and take the very good source of vitamin C, 5 Go through the gate onto a public footpath on the right Office and toilets. Cross the riverside path ahead at the calcium, phosphorous and the open moorland. Cross the (this paths decent is very steep!). 8 Turn right onto the road bridge and turn right, back to depot on the left. iron. The Knights may have track and bear diagonally right (Hillside East) and after a few the car park. gathered the rose hips here to on a rough path to join a stony 7 After several sharp bends yards turn left, down some bl Turn right on the gravel make a tonic to fend off track. Turn right and follow this steps. Follow the footpath Thrum Mill take the path marked to the track and continue ahead coughs, and treat sore throats track as it winds across the towards the town. At the stone right. Continue along this path between the buildings down to and bleeding gums. The leaves heather moor, past the and go straight ahead across a terrace turn right, follow the the gorge at Thrum. 9 From the Cowhaugh car of elder, which also grows here television and mobile phone track, and behind some houses. road down past the school and park cross the footbridge and masts and eventually to a gate were used in an ointment to Follow the path down the hill turn right at the main road. To turn right along the riverside. bm Follow the same path back into the woodland. ease swellings and bruises. and bear left at the bottom to reach the car park, cross the Pass under the road bridge. to Rothbury.