Walk 1202 - The Simonside Hills near Rothbury

   
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To the south of Rothbury, a small attractive market town on the River Coquet, lie the Simonside Hills. Contained within the boundaries of the Northumberland National Park, they are formed from a dramatic sandstone escarpment and provide easy walking with fine views especially in the northern sector.

This out and back walk is based from the Lordenshaws car park (grid ref. NZ052988) on a minor road off the B6342 that runs south from Rothbury. Other alternative starting points are possible but involve walking through an extensive plantation of conifers - certainly not my idea of pleasant walking! After parking your car, cross the lane and take the obvious path that heads south west to climb steadily to the skyline. This path continues to follow the escarpment to reach the summit of Simonside in just over two miles.

Little descriptive text is required for this walk as the route remains clear for the full length of the escarpment with the summit rocks of Simonside perched above a col. The ridge does continue to Tosson Hill, which overtops Simonside by 11 metres. This adds another three miles to the walk although it must be stressed that although there is a path there is in fact no right away beyond Simonside summit. 

The walk, although short offers some extensive views across Coquetdale with the Cheviots forming the skyline and enables you to fully appreciate the understated beauty of this part of the Northumberland National Park. In addition there are some notable archaeological remains dating from the Stone and Bronze ages a few hundred yards from Lordenshaws car park.

Two excellent brochures entitled "Lordenshaws" and "Simonside" are available free of charge from the Tourist Information Centre in Rothbury and other National Park Centres. These provide a brief overview of the history of the respective sites.

Suggested Maps

It is recommended you take a map with you when following a walk route. The preferred scale is 1:25000 used by the Explorer series.

	OS Explorer	1:25,000	Sheet OL42
	OS Landranger	1:50,000	Sheet 81

Note : If two maps are listed at the same scale then either (a) both are required for full coverage of the route or (b) the route is covered on both maps.

Kidlandlee Cottages, Alwinton, Northumberland Nat. Park - Northumberland
Self Catering - 8.3 miles / 13.2 km away

Coquet Cottages, Warkworth - Northumberland
Self Catering - 13.0 miles / 20.9 km away

Rock Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast, Alnwick - Northumberland
Bed & Breakfast - 16.4 miles / 26.3 km away

Waren House Hotel, Belford - Northumberland
Hotel - 23.0 miles / 36.8 km away

The Reading Rooms, Hadrian's Wall - Northumberland
Bed & Breakfast - 25.2 miles / 40.3 km away

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NOTE - all distances are "as the crow flies"