Rothbury and Simonside
Climbers enjoy Simonside crag, overlooking sleepy Rothbury below.
Cragside house is set in over 1000 acres of pine-covered hillsides, lakes and tumbling streams. The house, boasting hot and cold running water, central heating, a passenger lift and Turkish bath was a huge feat of civil engineering when it was built back in the 1880's. The house was also the first place in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity.Visitors can go and explore the pumping houses, turbine rooms, hear the grating metal and smell the burning of oil exactly the way it was 130 years ago. The estate has an extensive network of tracks, lakes, streams, ornamental gardens and a visitor centre.
To the south of the town lie the imposing Simonside hills. The hills are a designated special area of conservation and comprise rolling moorland, grassland and conifer woodland. The Forestry Commission maintain much of the land, which is open for walking, mountain biking, horse riding, picnics and general recreation. There are spectacular views up the Coquet Valley to Thropton and further afield.
Article adapted from the Wikipedia online encyclopedia and Rothbury Village website.
How to get to Rothbury:
By road from the south: take the main A1 trunk road from Newcastle upon Tyne. Turn off at Alnwick, which is about 35 miles north of Newcastle on the left and is clearly sign posted. Head for Alnwick town centre and then take the B6341 road to Rothbury.
By road from the north: Take the main A1 trunk road from Edinburgh and Berwick upon Tweed. Turn off at Alnwick, which is about 30 miles south of Berwick on the right and is clearly sign posted. Head for Alnwick town centre and then take the B6341 road to Rothbury.
By rail: The nearest stations are Alnmouth for Alnwick and Morpeth.
By bus: Arriva Northumbria service 416 runs between Morpeth and Thropton calling at Rothbury. Check the timetable before travelling as services are infrequent.
By road from the south: take the main A1 trunk road from Newcastle upon Tyne. Turn off at Alnwick, which is about 35 miles north of Newcastle on the left and is clearly sign posted. Head for Alnwick town centre and then take the B6341 road to Rothbury.
By road from the north: Take the main A1 trunk road from Edinburgh and Berwick upon Tweed. Turn off at Alnwick, which is about 30 miles south of Berwick on the right and is clearly sign posted. Head for Alnwick town centre and then take the B6341 road to Rothbury.
By rail: The nearest stations are Alnmouth for Alnwick and Morpeth.
By bus: Arriva Northumbria service 416 runs between Morpeth and Thropton calling at Rothbury. Check the timetable before travelling as services are infrequent.
Map of area: CLICK HERE
