Cheviots Walks
Primrose Wood & The Carriageway
Date: 7th August 2013
Distance: 3.0 miles
Ascent: 550 feet
Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
With: On my own
Start Grid Ref: NU066033
Walk Summary:
A short walk, made even shorter by a wrong turn in Primrose Wood, up to the trig point above the Carriageway and Rothbury.
Route Summary: Debdon Plantation - Primrose Cottage - Primrose Wood - 249m trig point - The Carriageway - Primrose Wood - Primrose Cottage - Debdon Plantation
Photos: Click on the photos below to enlarge.
Walk Detail: Having noticed that there was a trig point within a couple of miles of Rothbury, where we were staying for the week, I thought it would make a decent object for a short evening walk. Whilst I could have started the walk from Rothbury itself I didn't set off until almost 7.30 in the evening so, to save a bit of time, I parked up at the entrance to Debdon Plantation just north of Cragside.
On the map the route looked straightforward and so it was as I walked along the access road to Primrose Cottage and into Primrose Wood. However, at grid reference NU055033 I missed the path leaving the woods and continued on the track finally emerging out of the woods at NU048030. Whilst this meant that I missed the two standing stones that are marked on the map it did conveniently bring me out of the woods just below the trig point.
Although standing at a modest 249m the trig point featured a super view south towards the Simonside Hills. To the north west there was also a good view toward The Cheviot and Hedgehope Hill. Just below the trig point I joined an absolutely superb bridleway that contours around the moor. I later found out that this bridleway is known locally as the Carriageway.
I followed the Carriageway a short distance before make the detour on to the 250m top before continuing along the bridleway. It was a lovely little stroll with the late evening sun shining down on the purpling heather. Unfortunately it was over all too soon and it was time to head back through Primrose Woods and to the start. Next time I return to Rothbury I plan on doing a longer version of this walk again.
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