Birks Moor

Downs, Moorland in Northumberland

England

Birks Moor

Road on Thorneyburn Common Cul de sac road from Slaty Ford to Lanehead.
Road on Thorneyburn Common Credit: Oliver Dixon

Birks Moor, located in Northumberland, is a picturesque expanse of downs and moorland that offers visitors a tranquil and captivating experience. Spread across an area of approximately 10 square kilometers, the moor is characterized by its rolling hills, open grasslands, and heather-covered landscapes.

The moorland terrain of Birks Moor is dominated by heather, which blooms into a vibrant purple hue during the summer months, creating a stunning spectacle for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. The undulating hills and valleys provide breathtaking panoramic views, with distant hills and mountains adding to the allure of the landscape.

Birks Moor is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Visitors may come across various bird species, including curlews, lapwings, and skylarks, as well as mammals such as hares and roe deer. The moorland vegetation also supports a variety of insects, providing an ideal habitat for butterflies and bees.

The moor is crisscrossed by a network of footpaths and trails, offering ample opportunities for walkers, hikers, and nature lovers to explore and immerse themselves in the surroundings. These paths lead visitors through heather-clad hills, along meandering streams, and past ancient stone structures, providing a glimpse into the region's rich history.

Birks Moor is a place of tranquility and natural beauty, offering a peaceful retreat for those seeking solace in the great outdoors. Whether it's a leisurely stroll, a challenging hike, or simply a moment of quiet reflection amidst nature, this Northumberland gem has something to offer everyone.

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Birks Moor Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.160109/-2.3619559 or Grid Reference NY7785. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Road on Thorneyburn Common Cul de sac road from Slaty Ford to Lanehead.
Road on Thorneyburn Common
Cul de sac road from Slaty Ford to Lanehead.
The road to Slaty Ford As the sign says "Road unfit for motor vehicles after 1 mile".
The road to Slaty Ford
As the sign says "Road unfit for motor vehicles after 1 mile".
The road to Slaty Ford Cul de sac road over Thorneyburn Common. The clump of bushes is the bin store for Burnhead, just downhill to the left.
The road to Slaty Ford
Cul de sac road over Thorneyburn Common. The clump of bushes is the bin store for Burnhead, just downhill to the left.
Bridge over the Tarset Burn The road is followed by National Cycle Network route 10 (Reivers Route).
Bridge over the Tarset Burn
The road is followed by National Cycle Network route 10 (Reivers Route).
Tarset Burn Looking upstream.
Tarset Burn
Looking upstream.
Not a sheepfold! But a small sewage installation.
Not a sheepfold!
But a small sewage installation.
Rushend Farm North Tynedale in the middle distance.
Rushend Farm
North Tynedale in the middle distance.
Chirdon Burn Between Cadger Ford and Dally Castle.
Chirdon Burn
Between Cadger Ford and Dally Castle.
Substantial bridge over Chirdon Burn At Cadger Ford.  The ford has been superseded!
Carries the track to Whitchester and New Chirdon.
Substantial bridge over Chirdon Burn
At Cadger Ford. The ford has been superseded! Carries the track to Whitchester and New Chirdon.
Looking into Andrew's Cleugh A cleugh is Scots for a narrow gorge or chasm with high rocky sides.
This one seemed a haven for wildlife with birds enjoying the berries.
Bower wood on the horizon.
Looking into Andrew's Cleugh
A cleugh is Scots for a narrow gorge or chasm with high rocky sides. This one seemed a haven for wildlife with birds enjoying the berries. Bower wood on the horizon.
A wiggly wall Approaching Whitchester.
A wiggly wall
Approaching Whitchester.
Forest track Leading into Bower forest.
Forest track
Leading into Bower forest.
Rough ground beside the road After clear felling.
Rough ground beside the road
After clear felling.
Snabdaugh Crags Viewed from the track to Whitchester.
Snabdaugh Crags
Viewed from the track to Whitchester.
Dally Castle (remains of) Dally, although never a 'proper' castle, has become woven into local legends and folklore.
The ruins you see today are the remains of what was originally the home of David Lindsey, a Scottish nobleman. Around 700 years ago Lindsey chose this isolated spot to build himself a hall-house.  A hall-house was a defensible building - the earliest type of mediaeval stronghold (apart from the great castles) to survive in Northumberland.
Dally Castle (remains of)
Dally, although never a 'proper' castle, has become woven into local legends and folklore. The ruins you see today are the remains of what was originally the home of David Lindsey, a Scottish nobleman. Around 700 years ago Lindsey chose this isolated spot to build himself a hall-house. A hall-house was a defensible building - the earliest type of mediaeval stronghold (apart from the great castles) to survive in Northumberland.
Chirdon Burn Downstream from Dally Castle.
Chirdon Burn
Downstream from Dally Castle.
Matthew Bridge The bridge has seen much better days!!
You would have to be desperate to use it.
Close to Dally Castle.
Matthew Bridge
The bridge has seen much better days!! You would have to be desperate to use it. Close to Dally Castle.
Hott Farm Overlooking the flood plain of the River North Tyne.
Hott Farm
Overlooking the flood plain of the River North Tyne.
Show me another place!

Birks Moor is located at Grid Ref: NY7785 (Lat: 55.160109, Lng: -2.3619559)

Unitary Authority: Northumberland

Police Authority: Northumbria

What 3 Words

///unwound.discount.flicks. Near Bellingham, Northumberland

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 55.160109,-2.3619559
Birks Moor
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 55.159134/-2.3638867
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.1641362/-2.3596023
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.1641255/-2.3610507
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.1641102/-2.362491
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.1641056/-2.3639045
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.1640902/-2.3654656
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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