Newcastle to Heddon

Today is part of my attempt to be completist walking along the line of the wall and also completing Hadrian’s Wall Trail. Today was to tick of the section of the trail from Newcastle to Heddon-on-the- Wall. It was a lovely day and I was looking forward to a walk along the northern banks of the River Tyne. There were more cyclists than walkers on this initial stretch.

I was really enjoying this bit of the walk. There were no hills and there was plenty of good views to keep my interest.

It was along this section that I had my two ‘social interactions’ of the day. First were a lovely German couple who were cycling on there last day before returning on the ferry via Amsterdam. I was able, thanks to their good English to explain about Dunston Staithes. A bit further on I had a chat with a man about his plans to walk St Cuthbert’s Way though he did admit to walking but not quite finishing the Cleveland Way.

Sadly when I got past Elswick the trail leaves the riverbank to avoid the factories and then heads though some typical mixed scrubland which is essentially a post industrial landscape.

It was then a right turn at Scotswood to follow paths through parkland and a footbridge over the busy Western Bypass. It was then downhill the other side and then along a reclaimed waggon way through Lemington and Newburn. I had hoped to have a lunch break once I got back to the river but this section albeit woodland on either side seemed to go on for ever so I took advantage of a handy bench.

After my rest I set off again and ended up at the Riverside Park. It was a lovely place with the added attraction of a café with some cold drinks.

This was also the site of the Battle of Newburn Ford in 1640. I was aware of a battle there but discovered lots of detail from the information boards surrounding a memorial.

Once I was through the park the path then heads inland and is routed along through fields. By this stage in the day I was got and getting tired and my feet were sore. Sadly Heddon, my destination for today is at the top of a hill which I could see in front of me.

The final section was through a golf course. I don’t think I have ever seen so many Private Property signs in one place which all seemed to carry warnings about deviating from the path. It seemed like a long steep climb to Heddon village which probably wasn’t that bad.

I had originally thought I might have a look round the village and the church but my energy had run out and I was conscious that there was a bus due to take me back into Newcastle so it remains something for another day.

I was glad I had done this section with just a day pack – thinking back doing the whole section as far as East Wallhouses with my tent and everything which was my original plan would have been a bit of a struggle.