The Breamish Valley – Going Further Seeing More

Discover the Bronze and Iron Age archaeology of the Breamish Valley

The Valley is named after the River Breamish and Ingram is the village at its heart. This MODERATE walk of 8-miles (13-kilometres) takes us well off the beaten track past prehistoric hillforts and across the hills to the south of the River Breamish. There are plenty of great views of the Cheviot Hills and one path follows a hillside traverse high above the River.

The landscape on this side of the River Breamish is sheep country and the habitats appeal to nesting lapwing and curlew. Sky larks soar overhead and along the river, dippers, oystercatcher and common sandpiper call loudly from the rocky riverbed.

The route takes us up onto Cochrane Pike and then onto Wether Hill, a classic Iron Age hillfort high above the valley with commanding 360o views of the Cheviot Hills. Within the hillfort enclosure, look carefully and even after some 3,000 years, the location of the hut circles can be picked out, shadows of past lives in the landscape.

Then, it’s downhill all the way to the delightful Ingram Café, where weary walkers are welcomed in to enjoy homemade cakes and a cup of tea. A place to reflect on the sights and sounds of a walk through this remarkable prehistoric landscape in the heart of Northumberland National Park.

What to Bring

• Comfortable shoes
• Polyester cotton trousers; no denim jeans please
• A waterproof coat, waterproof trousers, a hat and gloves; a sunhat such as a baseball cap for sunny days
• Sun screen
• One bottle of water per person, 1 to 1.5 litres is recommended
• A spare jumper or fleece; it’s always nice to have a warm top to put on if needed
• A picnic lunch and some snacks

Clothing depends on the season. Please contact us for advice!