Carriageway

To reach the carriageway follow the narrow path adjacent to the COOP in the centre of Rothbury. Up towards Hillside, then take the footpath to Cartington up past Blaeberry Hill to the Carriageway.

The first part of the pathway is known at 'The Nick',  'The Narrow Nick', and sometimes 'Fat Man's Squeeze'. It leads to St Helen's Well and the Pilgrim's way' following a track to Holy Island.

 This first part of the walk is the most strenuous, but the view from the top is well worth the struggle. From there on it is all down hill, in a manner of speaking. 

The Carriageway is a five mile circular walk with fabulous views. A stony track constructed as part of the Armstrong Estate, leads from Cragside through a wooded hilltop to the moors beyond. The track skirts the top of the hills and drops gently down to Primrose Cottage and thence to Debdon where it re-enters Cragside.

Other routes take you to Thropton or past Westhills to Hillside East. Or Pennystane quarry, to see where "pennystanes" were once trimmed. More of this later when you visit Antons Letch. For now follow the Carriageway and enjoy the walk.

Views from the top include Simonside to the south, Caistron Bird Sanctuary to the west, and Cheviot. Threading its way along the valley is the River Coquet. Cartington Castle can be seen over the trees, and a little further away you can see Biddlestone Quarry whose unique red stones grace Pall Mall in London.

Along the route are cairns and standing stones, traces of forts and Old Rothbury just below the summit. For good measure there are the remains of a private tennis court on the lower  track and a hidden lake among the trees near Gimmerknowe. It used to be hidden but following renovation is now visible, enhancing the view towards Simonside.

Just to the north of the Carriageway is Target Hill, used prior to and during both world war. There is little trace apart from the remains of the old target winding gear. Operators were protected from stray ammunition by two inch thick iron plates, still in place after so many years.

The moors themselves show the scars of trenches used for training, and holes where bombs fell during the war. If you look towards Simonside you might also make out the pillboxes, also remnants of the war and classified as listed buildings.

On the route a circular stone about two foot in diameter may be found in the old tennis court. It most probably formed part of the wall of an inn or house. The stone bears the remains of a female head and shoulders and could pass for a Queen's Head. The face has been removed but the shoulders and necklace remain.

On top of one of the large boulders is inscribed the words:

"I.POW SGT MARCHETTI"

another remnant of war years when Rothbury boasted a Prisoner of War Camp.

For now continue the walk to Primrose Cottage,  towards Cragside and the Alnwick road before returning to Rothbury.