The River Pont at Medburn

The Location

A walk of approximately 4 miles down the river Pont, almost to Darras Hall, then back to Medburn on a farm track.

What's there

The first part of the walk goes along a narrow pathway by the river Pont (more of a stream than a river). There is a stile a short distance in with no facility to get a large dog through. Smaller dogs could get underneath, or be lifted over. The route is not disabled friendly.

How to get there

Postcode for Satnav - NE20 0JE - This is the post code for the Avenue in Medburn, about 300 yards from the parking area.
From Newcastle, take the A1 turnoff for the B6324 signposted for Westerhope then keep left at the roundabout, onto the Stamfordham road. Follow this road out of the city for about 3 or 4 miles until you see a right hand turn signposted 'Black Heddon', 'Medburn'. Follow this road for about a mile into Medburn village, then through the village and down to a narrow bridge over the river Pont. You should see a couple of parking areas on your left by the roadside, just past the bridge.
From Ponteland, head north on the A696 out of the village, and after a mile you will see a left hand turn for Stamfordham. Follow this road for 2 miles to a 'T' juction and turn left. About a mile down this road you will see the parking areas on the right. just before the bridge. Please note, these are not 'proper' car parks, just wide areas on the verge.

The Walk

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Walk down to the bridge, then just before the bridge you will see steps leading down to the river. Walk the path along the riverbank, which at times is hard to see in the grass, but keep going downriver. You will see the mouth of the Medburn on the other side of the river, and about 100 yards past this, the path leaves the river and goes through a gate, alongside a wood, then bends back to the river again. After a while you will see a footbridge over to the other side, but stick to the left bank, following it right down until an old railway crosses the river.
Climb up to the railway, turn right, then follow the railway path for about 700 yards.

The railway bends round towards Darras Hall, then meets a farm road. Turn right and follow the farm road up to the farm. The farmer requests that you take a diversion behind the farm on the left, rather than walk through the farmyard. Once past the farm, follow the track downhill to the Medburn, over the burn, then back up the hill on the other side. The trackway become smaller, and more like a path as you go on. The pathway now bends left and heads towards Medburn village, then exits onto the road just at the village entrance. Turn right and follow the road for about 300 yards back to your car.

This walk joins with the Ponteland Village walk. The two could be combined to give a longer walk of about 7 miles.