Hen Cleugh

Valley in Northumberland

England

Hen Cleugh

Alpacas grazing at Wood Hall farm They seem happy here! — Alpacas grazing at Wood Hall farm Credit: Russel Wills

Hen Cleugh is a small valley located in the county of Northumberland, England. Nestled within the picturesque North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it offers visitors and locals alike stunning views and a tranquil atmosphere. The valley is situated just a few miles north of the town of Hexham and is easily accessible by road.

Hen Cleugh is characterized by its rolling hills, lush green meadows, and meandering streams. The landscape is dotted with traditional stone farmhouses and barns, adding to its charm and rural appeal. The valley is surrounded by dense woodlands, providing ample opportunities for nature lovers to explore and enjoy the local flora and fauna.

The area is known for its walking trails, making it popular among hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The scenic paths offer breathtaking vistas and lead to several notable landmarks, including the ruins of Hexham Old Gaol and the historic Church of St. Wilfrid. Visitors can also explore nearby attractions such as the Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is just a short drive away.

In addition to its natural beauty, Hen Cleugh is a haven for wildlife. The valley is home to a variety of bird species, including buzzards, kestrels, and owls. Red squirrels and deer can also be spotted in the woodlands, adding to the area's diverse ecosystem.

Overall, Hen Cleugh in Northumberland offers a peaceful retreat for those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Its unspoiled beauty and rich wildlife make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and those looking to immerse themselves in the stunning countryside of Northumberland.

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Hen Cleugh Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.339614/-2.0971828 or Grid Reference NT9305. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Alpacas grazing at Wood Hall farm They seem happy here!

Alpacas grazing at Wood Hall farm

They seem happy here!

A hembra and a cria (Mum and baby alpaca) In a paddock near Sharperton on the River Coquet.

A hembra and a cria (Mum and baby alpaca)

In a paddock near Sharperton on the River Coquet.

Road sign casualty of Storm Arwen But the post looks pretty rusty too!
Alpacas over the fence.

Road sign casualty of Storm Arwen

But the post looks pretty rusty too! Alpacas over the fence.

The approach to Harbottle Castle From the neat drystone walled car park.

The approach to Harbottle Castle

From the neat drystone walled car park.

Harbottle Castle Ramparts around the outer bailey.

Harbottle Castle

Ramparts around the outer bailey.

Harbottle Castle - the ruined gateway Looking down on some dressed masonry at the gateway.
The castle has been quarried for much of its stone.

Harbottle Castle - the ruined gateway

Looking down on some dressed masonry at the gateway. The castle has been quarried for much of its stone.

Looking down on the former Presbyterian Church From Harbottle Castle.

Looking down on the former Presbyterian Church

From Harbottle Castle.

The Sad Castle Stone In the neat drystone walled carpark for Harbottle Castle is a &#039;new&#039; standing stone.
On it is carved a poem by local schoolgirl Felicity Lane:

The Sad Castle
Who Made me/Into a ruin/like an old city?
Was it the soldiers who rode out on horseback?
Was it my old enemy the Scots?
Or was it those Border Reivers?
Perhaps it was just the centuries passing.

Felicity Lance

It was carved into the stone by local stonemason David Edwick.

The Sad Castle Stone

In the neat drystone walled carpark for Harbottle Castle is a 'new' standing stone. On it is carved a poem by local schoolgirl Felicity Lane: The Sad Castle Who Made me/Into a ruin/like an old city? Was it the soldiers who rode out on horseback? Was it my old enemy the Scots? Or was it those Border Reivers? Perhaps it was just the centuries passing. Felicity Lance It was carved into the stone by local stonemason David Edwick.

Windfall due to the Storm Arwen The timber falling across the road cut the village off for days.
It brought the villagers out with their chainsaws.

Windfall due to the Storm Arwen

The timber falling across the road cut the village off for days. It brought the villagers out with their chainsaws.

Same storm, different car park Forestry England&#039;s car parks seem to have been particularly badly hit by Storm Arwen. Three months on, this one at Harbottle has been partially cleared although the evidence of the impact is still clearly visible.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7089675">NU0809 : Stating the obvious</a>
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7095369">NT9502 : Hope the picnic tables are alright</a>

Same storm, different car park

Forestry England's car parks seem to have been particularly badly hit by Storm Arwen. Three months on, this one at Harbottle has been partially cleared although the evidence of the impact is still clearly visible. NU0809 : Stating the obvious NT9502 : Hope the picnic tables are alright

Storm Arwen destruction at West Wood, Harbottle Interestingly, this wood, like several others, sustained much more damage nearer the valley floor than at its higher sections. Presumably this must be due to the Venturi Effect, where the wind from the north, having had a long &#039;fetch&#039; across open land over Alwinton, funnelled down at lower levels, increasing its speed.

Storm Arwen destruction at West Wood, Harbottle

Interestingly, this wood, like several others, sustained much more damage nearer the valley floor than at its higher sections. Presumably this must be due to the Venturi Effect, where the wind from the north, having had a long 'fetch' across open land over Alwinton, funnelled down at lower levels, increasing its speed.

Storm Arwen demolition of woods boundary Storm Arwen damage at the point where the West Wood car park path leads on to the open moor.

Storm Arwen demolition of woods boundary

Storm Arwen damage at the point where the West Wood car park path leads on to the open moor.

Destruction of Ramshaugh Woods On November 26th/27th 2021 Storm Arwen slammed across the UK, with 100 mile an hour winds. One of the areas worst hit was Northumberland, including Rothbury and Coquetdale, where fallen trees across the valley left many without power and water for nearly a week. The Ramshaugh Woods - a diverse range of woodland including the Devil’s Elbow, the Fairy Wood, the Birch Wood and the Top End - was flattened, with almost 70% of mature trees torn down, broken or uprooted.
We are raising £50,000 to make this diverse stretch of woodland safe for community access again and to save as much of the viable timber as possible.
The sign links to <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/save-our-woodland" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/save-our-woodland">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Destruction of Ramshaugh Woods

On November 26th/27th 2021 Storm Arwen slammed across the UK, with 100 mile an hour winds. One of the areas worst hit was Northumberland, including Rothbury and Coquetdale, where fallen trees across the valley left many without power and water for nearly a week. The Ramshaugh Woods - a diverse range of woodland including the Devil’s Elbow, the Fairy Wood, the Birch Wood and the Top End - was flattened, with almost 70% of mature trees torn down, broken or uprooted. We are raising £50,000 to make this diverse stretch of woodland safe for community access again and to save as much of the viable timber as possible. The sign links to Link

Sheep on Ashy Bank The pasture slopes down to the River Coquet.
Harbottle Wood in the distance.

Sheep on Ashy Bank

The pasture slopes down to the River Coquet. Harbottle Wood in the distance.

Fine lime kiln beside the track to Park House Overlooking the River Coquet.

Fine lime kiln beside the track to Park House

Overlooking the River Coquet.

Low Alwinton kilns Well maintained or beautifully restored they were built about 1827 by the Selby family and had ceased to work by 1866.

Low Alwinton kilns

Well maintained or beautifully restored they were built about 1827 by the Selby family and had ceased to work by 1866.

Alwinton Bridge over the River Coquet &#039;A good-looking steel-arch bridge about half a mile south of the village, it replaced an earlier bridge when the road was widened. Painted in attractive colours the bridge blends well with the surrounding countryside.&#039;
<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.bridgesonthetyne.co.uk/alwinton.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.bridgesonthetyne.co.uk/alwinton.html">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Constructed in 1937 with steel arch and stone abutments.

Alwinton Bridge over the River Coquet

'A good-looking steel-arch bridge about half a mile south of the village, it replaced an earlier bridge when the road was widened. Painted in attractive colours the bridge blends well with the surrounding countryside.' Link

Constructed in 1937 with steel arch and stone abutments.

Sheep and daffodils At Harbottle.

Sheep and daffodils

At Harbottle.

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Hen Cleugh is located at Grid Ref: NT9305 (Lat: 55.339614, Lng: -2.0971828)

Unitary Authority: Northumberland

Police Authority: Northumbria

What 3 Words

///blues.apartment.finger. Near Rothbury, Northumberland

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Ferny Wood Hen Cleugh

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Located within 500m of 55.339614,-2.0971828

Peels

Place: hamlet

Lat/Long: 55.3372314/-2.0920733

The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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