United States
£ GBP
This guide describes two long-distance trails through the unspoilt scenery of Northumberland and the Borders. St Oswald's Way begins at Heavenfield and its 97 miles take in rolling farmland and the Simonside Hills before reaching the vast sandy beaches of the coast. The 62 mile St Cuthbert's Way begins at Melrose and crosses the rugged crags and heather moorland of the Cheviot Hills. Both trails pass through Northumberland National Park to converge on atmospheric Holy Island, before continuing up the coast to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Each can be walked within a week, though there is scope for shortening or lengthening the stages to suit different itineraries. Also shown is the 64 mile the Northumberland Coast Path from Cresswell to Berwick, which covers the entire length of the Northumberland Coast AONB. The guidebook is crammed with interesting snippets of information, alongside indispensable practical details of transport and accommodation in the area. With varied scenery and a rich history encompassing spectacular castles, medieval abbeys and Roman remains, this is one of Britain's most beautiful corners to explore on foot.
Introduction
Geology
Weather
Wildlife and plants
Northumberland National Park
Northumberland Coast AONB
Eildon and Leaderfoot NSA
History and heritage
Transport
Accommodation
About the routes
When to go
What to take
Waymarking and access
Maps
Hill and coastal safety
Emergencies
Using this guide
St Oswald’s Way
Stage 1 Heavenfield to Kirkwhelpington
Stage 2 Kirkwhelpington to Rothbury
Stage 3 Rothbury to Warkworth
Stage 5 Craster to Bamburgh
Stage 6 Bamburgh to West Mains
Stage 8 Holy Island to Berwick-upon-Tweed
Northumberland Coast Path
Stage 1 Cresswell to Warkworth
(To complete the Northumberland Coast Path follow St Oswald’s Way Stages 4–8)
St Cuthbert’s Way
Stage 1 Melrose to Jedburgh
Stage 2 Jedburgh to Kirk Yetholm
Stage 3 Kirk Yetholm to Wooler
Stage 4 Wooler to West Mains
(To complete St Cuthbert’s Way follow St Oswald’s Way Stages 7–8)
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Glossary and pronunciation
Appendix C Accommodation
Appendix D Useful contacts
Appendix E Further reading
Rudolf Abraham was born in London and began travelling at an early age. He has travelled extensively in eastern Turkey, the south Caucasus, Iran and the Central Asian republics, and spent 10 years based in New Zealand. History, culture and languages remain his primary interest. He lived in Croatia from 1999 to 2001, working as an English teacher in Zagreb, and has made numerous trips into the mountains of Croatia and Slovenia. He has contributed introductions to books on Central Asia, Armenia and Afghanistan.
