Hexham to Slaley – 3 February 2024
It is not exactly a repeat of our last time out on the 20th of January because this time we are on this side of the river, the south side of the River Tyne that is. We are also walking south towards Slaley but the 9-mile route starts one bus stop away from where it started last time and we come quite close to Hexham before turning south.
All the routes head south along Devil’s Water for at least part of their routes. Devil’s Water is a narrow powerful river made up of many streams which eventually flows into the River Tyne between Hexham and Corbridge. Its main claim to fame is that it featured in the Battle of Hexham on the 14th May 1464 between the Lancastrians and Yorkist armies in part of what later became known as the War of the Roses.
Although the site of the battle is not shown on Ordnance Survey maps it is thought to have taken place along Devil’s Water between Linnels Bridge and Linnelswood Bridge. In the battle the Lancastrian army was routed and many of them were captured either heading north to Hexham or east in Dipton Wood. Thirty of the Lancastrian leaders were executed in Hexham on the evening following the battle including the Duke of Somerset who was found hiding in a house now called Duke’s House in Dukeshouse Wood. The 9-mile route passed this house on the last walk.
This time the 9-mile route starts on the A695 road and heads south through Dipton Wood and crosses Devil’s Water at Linnelswood Bridge. It then crosses back again at Pethfoot Bridge and passes Dukesfield Smelt Mill and the restored arches. Further south the route turns east and heads along a bridleway directly into Slaley.
The second to start is the 10-mile route which begins on the B6307 and heads east before turning south through Dipton Wood. This route also crosses Linnelswood Bridge but stays on the north side of Devil’s Water passing Pethfoot Bridge and heading south to the village of Juniper and then onto Whitley Chapel. After passing Redlead Mill the route picks up the same bridleway as the 9-mile route into Slaley.
The final route is the 11-mile route which starts on the B6306 and heads west on the footpath that goes over Linnelswood Bridge. After crossing back over the river at Pethfoot Bridge the route goes south also passing the restored arches of Dukesfield Smelt Mill and down to Redlead Mill. From Redlead Mill the route continues south following the east bank of the river as far as Embley Bank. From here the route turns east and then north to pick up the old lead route called the Carriers Way which brings it eventually to Slaley.
If you would like to stay on this side of the river and take part in a walk with some great views you can get in touch with us from our Contact Page, you can also download the walk descriptions below and the GPS routes here.
This will be the first time that the club has finished in Slaley although we have passed through it many times before. The image for this post was taken in October 2014 on a nearby route from Corbridge to Blanchland.
