Elsdon Burn

An easy walk around the picturesque village of Elsdon.

Grade: Easy
Length: 2.5 miles (4km)

Bird in Bush Inn - Elsdon

Points of interest

Elsdon is the historic capital of Redesdale and was once a very important settlement. From the car park, look out for the old Mill House by the burn on the Rothbury road.

Behind you are the Mote hills earthworks – relics of a Norman Motte and Bailey and site of an old Anglian Moot.

Across the road is a Northumbrian Pele tower from the time of the Reivers, although a tower is recorded on this site as early as 1415.

The church dates back to the 12th Century and its churchyard contains several interesting gravestones, some listed. It is reputed to hold the dead from the Battle of Otterburn (1388).

Crown Farm used to be an inn as was Bacchus House with its statue of the god on his wine barrel above the front door.Over the bridge, Raylees Farm was once also an inn!

Across the green is the surviving inn, the Bird in Bush.

The trees in the village green mark the old cock pit, and a bear baiting site is marked by a stone near the bus stop.

The 18th century circular Pinfold is the old pound, where stray animals were kept until owners could pay for their return. Pinfold Cottage used to be a smithy and the Old Smithy itself is on the other side of the green.

You can see several ruins as you climb the hill, remnants of previous habitation. Look out for curlews, little owls and buzzards, and brown hares streaking through the fields.

Looking back towards The Haining you can see the cottage, Elsdongate, that was the toll house on the road from Otterburn.The Elsdon coal mine was on this road in former times.

This walk has been produced in partnership with the people of Elsdon.

Local facilities

Food and accommodation are available in Elsdon.

The Bird in Bush Inn serves a range of ales and good food, especially Sunday lunches.

In the old schoolhouse dating from 1700s, the Impromptu Tea Room welcomes walkers and cyclists and caters for vegetarians.

Download the Elsdon Burn walk guide (PDF 564kb).

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GPS download

Download the GPS route for this walk (GPX format)

Please note: this GPS route has not been walked, and is only to be used as a guide. Always take the correct map with you.