Route Map
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Route Description
This route follows some of the quieter backroads through Northumberland, riding across open farmland, moorland and a circuit through Wark forest. There are no petrol stations along the route. For a shorter route, take the A696 from Belsay directly to Capheaton.
Great North Road Exit Seaton Burn Services on Great North Road towards Morpeth. After 1.1 mile, turn left on Berwick Hill Road to Ponteland.
Ponteland At the T-junction, turn right on North Road and continue for 6.5 miles.
T-junction Turn left onto B6524 to Whalton and Belsay.
Belsay Right turn on A696 towards Rothbury then after 0.7 miles bear left on the B6309. After 1 mile turn left to stay on the B6309 to Stamfordham.
Stamfordham Right turn on West View and to Matfen.
Matfen Turn right and continue 6.3 miles to the T-junction (B6342).
B6342 Right turn to Little Bavington.
Look out! Shortly after Little Bavington and on a sharp bend, take the junction straight ahead towards Capheaton. Follow the signs to Capheaton.
Capheaton Continuing through the village, past the Capheaton Village Tearoom, and turn left at the junction with the A696 towards Otterburn.
Look out! After 2 miles turn left onto a single-track road across open farmland. After 2.6 miles bear left to stay on the same track towards the A68.
A68 Turn left and then immediate right. After about 1 mile, bear left to continue on the road to the T-junction at Chipchase Castle. Follow the road across the bridge over the river North Tyne and into Wark.
Wark Turn left on the B6320 towards Chollerford. Continue for 2.3 miles to Nunwick.
Look out! At Nunwick, take the first right turn signposted for the Bird of Prey Centre and Stonehaugh. Follow the well-surfaced, single-track road for 13.5 miles through the forest via Whygate Bridge to complete the loop back to Wark.
Wark Turn right on the B6320 to Chollerford.
Chollerford Continue straight across the roundabout, across the bridge, to join the B6318 (Military Road). Continue on the B6318 for 9.5 miles.
B6309 Turn left onto the B6309 at Whittle Dene Watercourse towards Stamfordham. Continue straight ahead at Stamfordham to Dalton. At the T-junction turn left and first right (Limestone Lane) to return to the A696.
A696 Turn right back to Ponteland. The ride finishes at the car park off Meadowfield.
GPX File
Click the button below to download a GPX file for the route. The file contains waypoints, a route and a track.
Coffee Stop Options
- Capheaton Village Tearoom , open weekends only.
- Simonburn Tea Rooms
- The Riverside Kitchen , south-west of the Chollerford Bridge.
- Errington Coffee House , Stagshaw Bank near Corbridge.
Look Out For
Whalton
The village of Whalton is known for its unique “Baal Fire” ceremony held every midsummer eve (July 4th), a tradition dating back to pagan times. The village’s historic core is designated as a conservation area
Belsay
Belsay features the exceptional Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, with a 14th-century medieval tower house. The Grecian-inspired Belsay Hall (built 1810-1817) was created by Sir Charles Monck after his honeymoon in Athens. The unique Quarry Garden was carved from the stone used to build the hall.
Stamfordham
Stamfordham has one of the largest village greens in Northumberland. St. Mary’s Church contains Saxon elements dating to the 7th century. The Bay Horse Inn is a former coaching inn and dates back to the 18th century.
Matfen
Matfen Hall was the seat of the Blackett family, wealthy lead-mining industrialists. The parish church was built by Sir Edward Blackett in 1842. The village features an historic pele tower dating from border reiving days.
Capheaton
Capheaton Hall, built in 1668, is one of the earliest Baroque country houses in England. The Swinburne family owned the estate from the 13th century until 2008. In 1747, one of England’s first porcelain factories was established in Capheaton.
Wark
Wark Castle was a key border fortress during the Anglo-Scottish wars and changed hands between English and Scottish control several times. King John of England stayed at Wark Castle in 1213. The village suffered significantly during border raids throughout medieval times.