Norham is between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Coldstream, just on the border with Scotland
A 'there and back again' river walk which can be as long as you like, potentially all the way to Berwick on Tweed. The walk starts just outside Norham Castle.
The river path is rough in places, with high steps but should be OK for most sizes of dogs. Dogs are allowed in the castle. There are shops and a pub in Norham village.
Postcode for Satnav - TD15 2LQ. This is for Castle Street in Norham village.
The A698 runs between Berwick-on-Tweed and Cornhill. From Berwick, turn west at the roundabout just south of the Tweed bridge, signposted Cornhill, Coldstream. follow this road for about 4 miles until you see a turn off on your right signposted 'Norham Castle'. Follow this road for a couple of miles into Norham village. I parked on Castle Street in the village. However it is also possible to park at the entrance to the castle.
Coming from the west, at the roundabout on the east end of Cornhill, the main A697 road turns right, but the A698 carries straight on past the tractor sales garage. Follow this road for about 5 miles until you see a left turn for Norham. Drive through the village and park up on the eastern side.
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Assuming you parked in the village, walk up the hill towards the castle, and where the stone wall ends you will see a signposted footpath on the left leading down to the river.
Go down this path and turn right at the bottom.
After a short distance, the footpath forks, with the upper fork on the right signposted as the public path.
Take this path, and follow it along, up and down through the trees above the river. The path eventually leaves the trees
and runs around a bend in the river beside a field, before going back into a wood, then reaching Horncliffe village.
As you are walking back on the same path, you can turn around once you feel you have walked enough. If you like the idea of walking back by another route, say on the Scottish side of the river, then the nearest bridge in the chain bridge about a mile past Horncliffe. However, this bridge is closed for repair in 2021, and the next bridge in the Berwick Bypass.
When you do get back, it is worth taking a look at Norham castle.
It is an open castle,
and dogs are allowed in.
Originally called Ubbanford, Norham has been occupied for thousands of years, as it lies at a point where the Tweed is easily forded. The Romans had a camp on the south side of the Tweed, doubtless to guard the fords. The Anglo-Saxons built a church on the site of the existing village church, and it was used to house St. Cuthbert's relics for a while during the peregrination from Lindisfarne to Durham, after Lindisfarne was sacked by the vikings.
Norham really became important once the Normans arrived. More concerned with the endless wars in France, the Norman kings entrusted the Scottish defence with the Prince-Bishops of Durham. Norham was essential to this defence and became a remote part of the county palatinate of Durham. The first castle at Norham was built around 1121, but was soon destroyed by the Scots. The castle was damaged and rebuilt several times over the centuries, and was rebuilt stronger each time. Eventually Norham castle was considered impregnable and was then bypassed by raiding Scottish armies
However, the last Scottish army to invade came with cannon, and James IV's army was able to reduce the fortress in just two days. Shortly after, James was killed at Flodden, and the castle was returned to Thomas Ruthall, the Prince Bishop of Durham. He restored the castle again, improving the defences and adding guns to cover the ford over the river. This time, the castle's defenses were never tested, as the union of crowns made all the border defences irrelevent.
poo bins available
Historical buildings near the walk
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Comments
Erin - 19/6/2022 12.51
The footpaths for this walk are closed Jan - July 2022 unfortunately as a result of fallen trees.
Admin - 22/6/2022 16.50
Thanks for letting us know Erin. Unfortunately many woodland walks are closed or difficult at the moment. It will take some time to clear up after storm Arwen,