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Pennypie and Blanchland from Baybridge

North Pennines Walk

Region - North Pennines

County/Area - Northumberland County & Durham

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 3.8 miles / 6.1 km    Ascent - 650 feet / 197 metres

Time - 2 hours 30 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Ordnance Survey Explorer OL43Sheet Map1:25kBUY
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Ordnance Survey Landranger 87Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 87Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Pennypie and Blanchland from Baybridge
Click image to visit gallery of 3 images.

This walk starts in the Derwent Valley and climbs onto the fringes of the moors before dropping down into the valley at the picturesque village of Blanchland. There is ample opportunity to explore the village before return along the River Derwent back to the start.

The start is the car park and picnic area alongside the River Derwent at Baybridge (Grid ref. NY957499). After parking, exit onto the road and turn left. Turn left again into the lane that runs in front of the cottages and begin the steady climb out of the valley onto the moor. The lane is quite steep in places and with excellent views up valley you have ample excuses to stop and admire the view. Passing the access road to Birkside Farm on your left the climb is nearly over. Reaching a bridleway sign (Grid ref. NY951508), continue straight ahead across the moor to reach the track in front of Pennypie House (Grid ref. NY949517).

Turn sharp right here and follow the lane through the hamlet of Shildon and down the small side valley into Blanchland. This village is picturesque, historic and unusual with many of its stone buildings around the perimeter of a large cobbled square. Blanchland Stores and the old post office are two buildings of note and with two places offering refreshments there is ample excuse to stay awhile and explore.

To continue, walk south through the main square and follow the road south to cross the River Derwent into County Durham. Just over the bridge turn right onto the signed footpath. This path leads through pleasant woodland offering views to the river and beyond. After approximately one kilometre the path reaches a road. Turn right here, cross the river again and the car park is on your left.

Other walks nearby

Walk 3315 Warlaw Pike & Birkside Fell from Blanchlandmoderate8.0 miles
Walk 3722 Buckshott Fell & Sikehead Mineseasy/mod6.5 miles
Walk 2089 College Edge & Cuthbert's Currick from Edmundbyerseasy/mod8.0 miles
Walk 1942 Watson's Pike & Hexhamshire Commoneasy/mod6.0 miles
Walk 2382 Smiddy Shaw Reservoir Circulareasy/mod6.2 miles
Walk 2393 Weardale Circular from Westgateeasy/mod6.4 miles
Walk 1987 Allendale Town Circulareasy/mod6.6 miles
Walk 3634 Catterick Moss & Bollihope Carrsmoderate5.6 miles
Walk 1659 Race Head & Sedling Rake from Wearhead easy/mod6.0 miles
Walk 1948 Tunstall Reservoireasy/mod7.3 miles

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