Route Map
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Route Description
Seaton Burn Services Exit on Great North Road. After 1.1 miles, turn left on Berwick Hill Road to Ponteland.
Ponteland Turn left onto North Road. At the mini-roundabout, take first exit onto A696 and immediately right onto B6323.
Look out Turn right on Birney Hill to join Stamfordham Road. After 3.1 miles, turn left on Sylvan Way (towards Corbridge) to join the B6318.
B6318 Turn right to Chollerford and continue on B8318 to Greenhead.
Greenhead Continue on the B6318 through Gilsland.
Look out After 7.5 miles (Lees Hill), turn left towards Lanercost. After 0.8 miles, take the first right sign-posted to Burtholme. Take the next right (no signpost) and follow the single-track road into Walton.
Walton Turn right into the village, then take the left fork to pass Walton Tearoom and Reading Room. Continue for 2.1 miles then take the next right to re-join the B6318.
B6318 Follow the road through Catlowdy, and bearing right at Claygate, to the traffic lights at the junction with the A7. Join the A7 through Langholm.
Langholm Turn left on the B709 to Eskdalemuir and follow the road for approximately 27 miles.
Lookout Turn left on B7038 to join the A708 into Selkirk.
Selkirk Follow the A7 through the town (heading towards Hawick). At the Jet garage, turn left on A699 towards St. Boswell.
Lookout Turn right on B6453 to Midlem, then right on B6359 through Lilliesleaf.
Lillisleaf Fork left to follow the B6359 and B6405 to Denholm.
Denholm Turn left on A698 towards Kelso, then right towards Bedrule. At the T-junction, turn right, following the sign to Chesters, to join the B6357.
Lookout Shortly after joining the B6357, take the road straight ahead to continue to Chesters avoiding Bonchester Bridge.
Chesters Continue straight ahead on A6088 to A68.
A68 Turn right through Carter Bar and continue 16 miles to Otterburn.
Otterburn Turn right on B6320 to end the ride at Otterburn Mill.
Coffee Stop Options
- Greenhead Tea Room, Brampton, closed on Sunday.
- Walton Tearoom, Brampton , open daily 10am-5pm.
- Old School Cafe, Eskdalemuir Community Hub , open daily 10am-4pm.
- Otterburn Mill, Otterburn , open daily 9am-4pm.
Petrol
- Langholm (approximately 80 miles from start)
- Selkirk (approximately 125 miles from start)
Look Out For
B6318 - The Military Road
Field Marshal George Wade is the only person mentioned by name in the British National Anthem. The sixth verse was added as a prayer for Wade’s army, assembled in Newcastle in 1745, to successfully suppress the Scottish Jacobite Uprising.
However, the poor quality of the road network at the time severely hampered Wade’s efforts. It took his troops a full week to march the 60 miles from Newcastle to Carlisle. This slow progress allowed the Jacobite forces, led by Charles Edward Stuart (better known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie”), to outmaneuver Wade’s army. The Jacobites were able to capture Carlisle, Lancaster, Preston, and Manchester in rapid succession.
This military setback highlighted the urgent need for improved road communications to support troop movements, becoming a priority for the Hanoverian government. Construction of a military road alongside Hadrian’s Wall began, which was completed in 1758. Unfortunately, this infrastructure came at a significant cost to Britain’s ancient heritage. Much of Hadrian’s Wall was destroyed in the process, as its stones were used as hardcore for the new military road.
Village Green, Denholm
Denholm underwent a complete reconstruction in the 17th century after its destruction by English raiders. The rebuilding effort adopted an orderly layout centered around an English-style village green, marking a significant shift in character. By 1844, the village had become a thriving center of textile production. Eighty-seven knitting frames, operated in the cottages of Denholm, produced stockings in such quantities that the profits funded the renovation of many of village’s dwellings.