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A great starting point for Hadrian's Wall

A great starting point to walk to Milecastle 42 and a fine stretch of Hadrian’s Wall.

The second legion built this to protect the weak spot of Hole Gap. It hangs on to the edge of the sheer crags. You can also see the bedrock of the Whin Sill in Cawfields itself, as it used to be a quarry.

Cawfields features public toilets including changing facilities, an information point and a sheltered picnic area.

Find out more about Cawfields car parking charges.

Meadowsweet framing Cawfields Quarry on Hadrian's Wall near the town of Haltwhistle, Northumberland Meadowsweet framing Cawfields Quarry on Hadrian's Wall near the town of Haltwhistle, Northumberland
Meadowsweet framing Cawfields Quarry on Hadrian's Wall near the town of Haltwhistle, Northumberland, England
Cawfields Crag Cawfields Crag
Cawfields Crag on a windy winter's afternoon, Hadrian's Wall Country, Northumberland, England

Stargazing at Cawfields

Cawfields car park is a wonderful place to view the dark skies over the Northumberland National Park.

The site is also a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site perfect for stargazing.

Dark Sky Discovery Sites are places that:

  • are away from the worst of any local light pollution
  • provide good sightlines of the sky
  • have good public access, including firm ground for wheelchairs. The sites are generally freely accessible at all times – please check the links for any special access arrangements.

NOTE: Please be aware that at night, this is a very dark site indeed and great must be taken around the edge of the quarry lake. Please use the dedicated stargazing platform on the picnic site. Thank You!

 

Getting there

From the A1, take the A69 to Park Lane near Haltwhistle. Follow Park Lane to the B6316, where Cawfields is opposite The Milecastle Inn.