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March Head

Landscape Feature in Northumberland

England

March Head

'The Forks' Rally stage 10 Nearing the Scottish border.
'The Forks' Rally stage 10 Credit: T Eyre

March Head is a prominent landscape feature located in the county of Northumberland, England. Situated at an elevation of approximately 305 meters (1,000 feet), it is part of the Cheviot Hills range and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

This distinctive landmark is characterized by its rugged terrain, comprising of rolling hills, rocky outcrops, and heather-covered slopes. The area is predominantly composed of sandstone, giving March Head its distinctive reddish-brown hue. Its location within the Northumberland National Park ensures that the landscape remains relatively unspoiled and untouched by human intervention.

March Head is known for its diverse wildlife and is home to several species of birds, including the red grouse, golden plover, and curlew. The heather moorland provides an ideal habitat for these birds, and their distinctive calls can often be heard echoing across the hills.

For outdoor enthusiasts, March Head offers a range of activities. Hiking and walking trails crisscross the area, providing opportunities to explore the stunning scenery and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The landscape is also popular among photographers, who are drawn to the dramatic vistas and ever-changing light conditions.

While March Head may be remote, it is not inaccessible. Several well-maintained roads and paths lead to the area, making it easily reachable by car or on foot. Whether one seeks solitude, wildlife encounters, or simply stunning views, March Head is a destination that caters to all nature lovers.

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March Head Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.217382/-2.6143019 or Grid Reference NY6191. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

'The Forks' Rally stage 10 Nearing the Scottish border.
'The Forks' Rally stage 10
Nearing the Scottish border.
Near the Scottish border This is on the English side.
Near the Scottish border
This is on the English side.
Road to Kielder The replacement road to the one beneath the reservoir.
Road to Kielder
The replacement road to the one beneath the reservoir.
Kielder Forest Near the head of Kielder Water.
Kielder Forest
Near the head of Kielder Water.
Kielder Observatory The observatory, opened in 2008, sits on Black fell in one of the UK's least light polluted areas.
Kielder Observatory
The observatory, opened in 2008, sits on Black fell in one of the UK's least light polluted areas.
Forest Track near Capon Burn
Forest Track near Capon Burn
Capon Burn
Capon Burn
Entrance to Quarry (overgrown) The only other photo taken here was in 2007 and the quarry could clearly be seen. on a wet day we didn't want a deluge from the needles.
Entrance to Quarry (overgrown)
The only other photo taken here was in 2007 and the quarry could clearly be seen. on a wet day we didn't want a deluge from the needles.
Forest Track and Traffic Free Cycle Route
Forest Track and Traffic Free Cycle Route
Sky space Skyspace is one of the most ambitious of the art works scattered round Kielder Forest. Designed by James Turrell, it is intended to give visitors a unique optical experience when viewing the sky through the hole in the roof of the domed interior.
Sky space
Skyspace is one of the most ambitious of the art works scattered round Kielder Forest. Designed by James Turrell, it is intended to give visitors a unique optical experience when viewing the sky through the hole in the roof of the domed interior.
Old Bridge Marker by Bloody Bush Road, Kielder Parish Bridge Marker in parish of Kielder (Tynedale District), Bloody Bush Road, forestry track, adjacent to South West pier of bridge. Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: NB_KIEL01br
Old Bridge Marker by Bloody Bush Road, Kielder Parish
Bridge Marker in parish of Kielder (Tynedale District), Bloody Bush Road, forestry track, adjacent to South West pier of bridge. Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: NB_KIEL01br
Junction of Bells Burn & Berkey Sike The map shows a cairn on the bank of Bells Burn which marks the point where the Border Line turns from the main valley to climb the hill via a minor water-course, Berkey Sike. Before this point, on the England side of the Border is Duke's Well, presumably referring to the Duke of Northumberland. I had I every intention of visiting these important landmarks along the Border Line to record them for Geograph but crossing this clear-felled land is not without its problems and I preferred a slightly easier, but less interesting line. I suspect Duke's Well is just a more boggy patch of land anyway but if I'm ever here again (unlikely) I'll visit. The Northumberland archaeology site, Keys to the Past says: 'A well is shown on an Ordnance Survey map of 1824-26.' proving that they haven't visited either. The forest has been felled and replanted on the English side (apart from the former system of forest rides) right up to the Border line.
Junction of Bells Burn & Berkey Sike
The map shows a cairn on the bank of Bells Burn which marks the point where the Border Line turns from the main valley to climb the hill via a minor water-course, Berkey Sike. Before this point, on the England side of the Border is Duke's Well, presumably referring to the Duke of Northumberland. I had I every intention of visiting these important landmarks along the Border Line to record them for Geograph but crossing this clear-felled land is not without its problems and I preferred a slightly easier, but less interesting line. I suspect Duke's Well is just a more boggy patch of land anyway but if I'm ever here again (unlikely) I'll visit. The Northumberland archaeology site, Keys to the Past says: 'A well is shown on an Ordnance Survey map of 1824-26.' proving that they haven't visited either. The forest has been felled and replanted on the English side (apart from the former system of forest rides) right up to the Border line.
The Border at Berkey Sike View of the Larriston Fells, where I'm headed along the Border Line and outside this infernal forest. Trees have been felled on the English side right up to the Border.
The Border at Berkey Sike
View of the Larriston Fells, where I'm headed along the Border Line and outside this infernal forest. Trees have been felled on the English side right up to the Border.
The Border Line above Berkey Sike Marked here only by occasional wooden stakes of an old fence and the uncut forest edge.
The Border Line above Berkey Sike
Marked here only by occasional wooden stakes of an old fence and the uncut forest edge.
Bend in Border Line near Buckside Knowe The England - Scotland Border makes an acute angle here as (going westwards) it turns from its south-easterly direction uphill along Berkley Sike from Bells Burn, to west, following a ruined wall along a wide forest ride. A boundary stone marks the angle. The continuing line of stakes to the left (south-east) leads to the nearby flat hilltop of Purdom's Pike which has always been a large unplanted clearing in the English Kielder Forest.
Bend in Border Line near Buckside Knowe
The England - Scotland Border makes an acute angle here as (going westwards) it turns from its south-easterly direction uphill along Berkley Sike from Bells Burn, to west, following a ruined wall along a wide forest ride. A boundary stone marks the angle. The continuing line of stakes to the left (south-east) leads to the nearby flat hilltop of Purdom's Pike which has always been a large unplanted clearing in the English Kielder Forest.
Border Line towards Buckside Knowe Following the wall along the wide forest ride that separates England from Scotland is the toughest piece of walking I have yet found along the Border. I shall not be back. The boundary stone in the foreground was carved on two sides, an 'N' on one and what appeared to be an 'S' on the other. Keys to the Past has a placemark located in the vicinity of Purdom Pikes further south with the caption: "A line of stones inscribed with 'N' for Northumberland on one side and 'S' for Scotland on the other can be seen here, marking a previous border between Northumberland and Scotland. At the same location, the remains of a ditch can be seen. Archaeologists don't known when these border markers were created." The 1898 OS Map shows a line of stones crossing the hilltop in a south-easterly direction towards the interestingly named March Head, maintaining this direction to Capon Hassock but then apparently turning east to Dinmont Lairs and the valley of the River North Tyne (now dammed at Bakethin Reservoir), in the vicinity of Lewie. Was this really a former line of the Scotland-England Border or simply a boundary between English estates?
Border Line towards Buckside Knowe
Following the wall along the wide forest ride that separates England from Scotland is the toughest piece of walking I have yet found along the Border. I shall not be back. The boundary stone in the foreground was carved on two sides, an 'N' on one and what appeared to be an 'S' on the other. Keys to the Past has a placemark located in the vicinity of Purdom Pikes further south with the caption: "A line of stones inscribed with 'N' for Northumberland on one side and 'S' for Scotland on the other can be seen here, marking a previous border between Northumberland and Scotland. At the same location, the remains of a ditch can be seen. Archaeologists don't known when these border markers were created." The 1898 OS Map shows a line of stones crossing the hilltop in a south-easterly direction towards the interestingly named March Head, maintaining this direction to Capon Hassock but then apparently turning east to Dinmont Lairs and the valley of the River North Tyne (now dammed at Bakethin Reservoir), in the vicinity of Lewie. Was this really a former line of the Scotland-England Border or simply a boundary between English estates?
The Border towards Buckside Knowe No one comes this way and who can blame them?
The Border towards Buckside Knowe
No one comes this way and who can blame them?
The Border east from Buckside Knowe No sane person has ever been here. There is no path and no animal tracks. The ruined wall close to the left-hand forest edge marks the Border. English forest is on the right and Scottish forest on the left. Most of the ride is English and I suspect the Scots wouldn't want it.
The Border east from Buckside Knowe
No sane person has ever been here. There is no path and no animal tracks. The ruined wall close to the left-hand forest edge marks the Border. English forest is on the right and Scottish forest on the left. Most of the ride is English and I suspect the Scots wouldn't want it.
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March Head is located at Grid Ref: NY6191 (Lat: 55.217382, Lng: -2.6143019)

Unitary Authority: Northumberland

Police Authority: Northumbria

What 3 Words

///spoke.prevented.remain. Near Rochester, Northumberland

Nearby Locations

March Head

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 55.217382,-2.6143019
March Head
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 55.21822/-2.6128015
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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