Warkworth - Guyzance Circular

Andrew Olds

You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk and have an active subscription. Please join, or log in above if you are already a member.

Starting right by the castle in Warkworth, this route passes through several different types of landscape. It begins by following the River Coquet upstream before passing through tiny villages and along quiet country lanes and bridleways.

There are a couple of interesting sights along the way, the first being a ruined priory at Brainshaugh Bridge, just outside Guyzance. The 'priory' was actually a little Norman chapel and was a minor cell of Alnwick Abbey. The second unusual site is the water tower along the bridleway between Waymarks 11 and 12, which at first s ightlooks almost like an abandoned flying saucer sitting on top of a chimney!

If embarking on this walk during autumn or winter, or after any particularly wet spell of weather, it is advisable to wear a decent pair of boots. Most of the sections between Waymarks 6 and 7 and again between Waymarks 10 and 12 get very muddy. Whilst the stretch between 6 and 7 could be avoided by staying on the road, the latter section can only be avoided by adding a considerable extra distance to the route.

Whilst generally suitable for dogs, there are a couple of stiles on the walk which you may need to lift your dog over: the first between Waymarks 2 and 3, when entering the caravan site and the second just before Waymark 7. Other than these two, the remainder of the fences and hedgerows encountered are passed via gates.

There is a farm shop, tea room and butchers (closed on Mondays) at New Barns, worth a look near the end of the walk - just the place for a rest, a cuppa and a cake before returnig to the castle at Warkworth.

Overall, a lovely walk featuring a good variety of terrain and landscapes; well worth a little bit of mud!

England - North England - Northumberland - Countryside

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Castle, Food Shop, Great Views, Mostly Flat, River, Wildlife

9/7/2024 - Andrew Ridout

Its a 7.5 out of ten for me. Nice walk overall but two downsides. A bit of busy road walking and the path by the river and the caravan site has pretty well eroded away.

5/16/2021 - Stephen Dargue

The Farm shop at New Barns has sadly been closed for some time.

6/18/2013 - Chris Cully

Did this walk on the Sunday of the Spring Bank Holiday - lovely sunshine. At Waymark 9 the road is closed (due to subsidence I think) but is still accessible on foot. The tea rooms/farm shop at New Barns was all closed up, even though this was the Bank Holiday weekend, so may have closed down.

6/15/2010 - Julia Ewart

The new Black Bridge has finally been built and is now open for use.