Attractions and Places To See around Meldon - Top 20

Fantastic views of the Bothal Castle ruin from the village of Bothal (old English for dwelling). Well worth a stop to take in the magnificent castle, though be warned, you're in a bit of a dip, so it's a climb out from both sides.

Bothal Castle is an impressive building with a rich history. It was originally built in the12th century, but transformed into its current form in 1343. It's a private residence, and therefore not accessible to the public.

History of the Church: The parish church dates back to the late 12th century and was remodeled in the 13th century, likely after the village was burned by King John in 1216. The 14th century saw the addition of transepts. Major restoration and the addition of a south aisle, west tower, clerestory, and porch were carried out by R.J. Johnson of Newcastle in 1874-5. Exterior: The church features a mix of medieval squared stone and 19th-century ashlar with red tile roofs. Key elements include a west tower with an octagonal southwest stair turret, a south aisle with stepped angle buttresses and lancet windows, and a projecting southwest porch. The north nave wall has 13th-century masonry and a blocked door. The chancel’s south wall includes a 12th-century priest’s door and lancet windows, while the transepts have trefoiled ogee lights. Interior: Inside, the 12th-century south arcade features round moulded arches on round piers with scalloped capitals. The north transept and south transept have foliage-carved capitals and a small piscina, respectively. The chancel arch and tower arch are 19th-century, and the chancel includes triple sedilia and eastern lancets with 12th-century outer shafts. Fittings include a 1622 Revely monument, a Romanesque wall monument, a medieval bell, and various 19th-century items like the font, pulpit, and reredos with figures of Saints Aidan and Cuthbert.

Morpeth Park was officially opened on September 11, 1929, following the completion of landscaping, formal gardens, cottages, and other enhancements. Subsequent additions included the pavilion in 1951 and the paddling pool in 1956. In 1972, Castle Morpeth borough received a floral clock as a gift, which now adorns the park's southeast area. The William Turner Garden, established in 1999, is a notable feature of the park. This garden, funded by a generous £2.1 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, includes an aviary and serves as a tribute to William Turner, a renowned herbalist born in Morpeth around 1508. Turner's contributions to documenting British flora are well-celebrated. Additionally, the eastern section of the park holds historical significance as Ha' Hill, the site of a former motte-and-bailey castle constructed by the de Merlay family in 1095.

These woods and the steep sided Howburn valley once held coal mines, from as recent as the 1920s right back to Roman times. You can see some traces of the industry from the old bricks that are occasionally used to line the path. You might also see some acient 'bell mines' in the woods, pits that were dug and expanded out underground to dig out the coal seams. The large meadow on the left as you come back from the walk is called 'Pestilence Close' and supposedly the Morpeth inhabitants who died in the plague of 1665 are buried here. The Romano-British smetled iron in the valley, and traces of their works also exist. Hard to believe so much industry existed in what is now a green nature reserve. While not on the walk itself, the Victorian 'County Lunatic Asylum' existed where the new housing estate is now at the edge of the woods. A little further up, you might see what is left of the Morpeth racecourse, where horses were raced in the 1730s. The grandstand is long gone, but you can see traces of the oval track in the fields

Very enjoyable walk seems to have been remarked so fairly easy to find your way out of the various fields you will end up in.

Bothal is a small village in Northumberland, England, known for its historical landmarks and rural charm. The village features Bothal Castle, a well-preserved privately-owned medieval castle from the 14th century. The Church of Saint Andrew, a parish church with Norman architecture dating back to the 12th century, is another notable attraction. Bothal also offers picturesque countryside for outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, and fishing along the River Wansbeck. Visitors can enjoy exploring the village's historical sites and taking in its natural beauty.

The Wannie Line walk is a circular walk waymarked by the National Trust as part of the nearby Wallington Estate. The walk follows a section of the old Wannie and Rothbury railway lines. The old steam trains that used to use these lies carried stone, lime, coal and livestock, as well as passengers. The lines closed in 1966 due to the rise in the use of the car and fewer passengers. Today the walk follows the railways, so the trail is flat and easy to walk, it's a nice circular 10km walk waymarked with NT orange arrows. As well as the course of the old railways you'll see old lime kilns and an abandoned quarry.