The Cheviot Hills, Northumberland National Park\n© Simon Fraser

The Ancients

Hands on History in Northumberland National Park

The Ancients

Ingram Cup Srping © Simon FraserCup and ring marks
If archaeology lights your fire, you will be in your element in Northumberland National Park. Thousands of years of human life are visible in the landscape: Stone Age rock carvings, stone circles, standing stones, Bronze Age burial mounds and Iron Age hillforts. The Ingram National Park Centre holds prehistoric artefacts excavated from the hills above the village. Here are a few special places not to be missed:

Walks and days out

There are two main clusters of prehistoric sites within Northumberland National Park, most are in the hills circling the Cheviot, near Wooler which is about an hour’s drive from Newcastle. The second cluster is close to Rothbury which is about 40 minutes drive from Newcastle. Both are accessible from the A697, from the A1 north of Morpeth.

The College Valley, near Wooler

The most undeveloped and tranquil valley in Northumberland National Park, leading up to Cheviot summit via the gaping spectacle of Henhole. It is scattered with prehistoric remains, including Hethpool Stone Circle, one of the oldest sites in the National Park. There are small hillforts such as Great and Little Hetha and self-guided trails have been published to help you explore the area for yourself. Buy a copy of the guide book (£2 plus p&p) from our online shop.

Kirknewton, near Wooler.

An interesting walk with wildlife, hillforts and an interesting church. Free download of the walk leaflet.

Yeavering Bell, near Wooler

Huge citadel hillfort with traces of more than 100 circular huts. Long and steep access, but worth it for the views and the chance of seeing the flock of wild goats on the way. Free download of the walk leaflet. Kids story: ‘What the Goats Saw’ free to download.

Humbleton Hillfort, near Wooler.

Imagine yourself as a Border Reiver gazing out across landscape from the defensive rings of ditches and stone forming this hillfort. They form the setting of the 1402 battle between an English and a Scottish army and dramatised by Shakespeare in Henry IV. Free download of the walk leaflet.

The Breamish Valley and Ingram National Park Centre, near Wooler.

Five thousand years of habitation is represented in the displays within the Ingram National Park Centre. There are artefacts from excavations including reconstructed Bronze Age pottery vessels from burial cairns, and glass beads from hillforts. You can picnic and paddle in the gentle river and explore more on the short walk up to Brough Law hillfort. Free download of the Breamish Valley walk leaflet. Buy the excavation guidebook ‘People of the Breamish Valley’ (£2.50 plus p&p).

Simonside Hills and Lordenshaws, near Rothbury.

Lordenshaws is on the eastern flank of the Simonside Hills, and has the largest concentration of rock art anywhere in England, along with numerous burial cairns and a hillfort. The Simonside Hills have a distinctive, flat-topped summit from which you can see five counties on a clear day. Large burial cairns of Stone or Bronze Age date lie in prominent positions on the hills which has led some to believe it may have been a sacred mountain. Free download of the Breamish Simonside Hills and Lordenshaws walk leaflet.

Maelmin is an archaeological reconstruction centre at which archaeologists have made modern replicas  of features such as houses and a wood henge to help them understand the origins of the remains that have been excavated nearby.

Virtual Tours

Special projects

Learning and games

Links

© Northumberland National Park Authority, Eastburn, South Park, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 1BS, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1434 605555 Fax: +44 (0)1434 611675 Email: enquiries@nnpa.org.uk