Cow Haugh

The Trail starts at the Cow Haugh Car Park on the south bank of the River Coquet, overlooked by Simonside, the Sacred Mountain.

So where did the names come from? Well in a document dated 1292 the Sacred Mountain was called "Simundessete and by 1580 this had changed to "Simontside". It is also thought that the name be a corruption of "Sigemund's Seat" or "Settlement" and it is futher suggested that this is the Sigmund mentioned in the great Anglo Saxon Poem Beowulf.

Tomlinson seems to prefer "Simon's sete or settlement" while others prefer a derivation from "Sailor's sight" as the hill can be clearly seen from the coast. In fact this is mentioned in a poem currently hanging in the Newcastle Hotel:

"Oh purple hills of Simonside. Ye olde times sailors guide.
Where the grouse and partridge o'er thy heather guide.
Oft have I seen the blue North Sea from off thy highest hill.
While tiny streams run down thy sides towards old Tosson Mill."

And "Coquet"? Paul Frodsham suggests it is derived from "Coccoveda", the earliest known reference to the Coquet, from the Celtic word "cochwedd" meaning "red appearance", reflecting the red pebbles that litter its bed.

'Haugh' comes from the old English 'halh' and means a riverside meadow or flat area. Originally cattle grazed this area, and the land to the west, where the golf course now stands, was a steeplechase course for over two hundred years. The first official race was held on April 28th 1762 and the last race was on April 10th 1965, two years after the last freight train and thirteen years after the last passenger train to Rothbury.

Just up from the Haugh is the new Rothbury Hospital. Its garish lights that pollute the skies have been toned down a little but the ugly building with its flat roof, wooden slats and coloured walls looks completely out of place with its surroundings. How it ever got planning permission in a conservation area remains a mystery.

There is a popular story that Prince Charles was invited to open it, but on arrival was so disappointed that he opted to open the newly refurbished Jubilee Hall instead. However it must be said that the interior layout and decor is excellent.

The old golf clubhouse originally accessed by a rather insubstantial looking bridge across the Coquet is now redundant. A brand new clubhouse was opened a little to the south of the hospital. A modern building that blends in well with its surroundings, it faces the setting sun and has a superb view down the valley. This new clubhouse is a great asset to the village. The course has been greatly improved and now boasts 18 holes. Visitors are always welcome.

The house nearest to the closed cemetery (more of which later) on the north of the river boasts a 'Game Store' bought at the Newcastle Exhibition in 1926 and which can just be seen over the high wall. It is the only remaining one of its kind in the village.

Donkin's Well to the east and reached down some stone steps is pure spring water and prior to the availability of mains was one of the first sources of fresh water in the district.

There are of course many other wells in the area, most of which have been closed up. And the story is told that a few years ago the one in Well Strand was opened at the request of the water board. When the stone was lifted a brave man descended the steps and it was found that the water was fresher, colder and better than that from the tap.