Easy hikes and walks around Biddlestone

Ingram Village Hall is situated on the edge of Northumberland National Park in the village of Ingram. It hosts several activities and entertainments throughout the year. It can also be used as an overnight stop.

Lovely place would recommend to anyone

Here, you are afforded a fantastic view over the serene Harbottle Lake. Please be aware, though, the bog surrounding the lake is dangerous with very deep water underneath it, so make sure you do not stray from the footpath.

Ingram is a small quaint village that has existed since pre-Saxon times and sits in the Breamish Valley where the River Breamish widens out into fields and haughland. The Breamish Valley (and Ingram in particular) is renowned for its natural beauty and sites of archaeological and historical significance. There are Iron Age hill forts to find with various walks signposted, large open spaces to picnic by the river and wonderful views of the surrounding hills. If you want to walk, relax with a picnic or cycle there are many routes and spaces available to you. Being part of Northumberland National Park there’s also a visitor information board near the bridge, and car parking areas at various points in the valley.

Plenty people use this location. There is a nice cafe with a steady stream of day trippers

The Drake Stone is a large sandstone boulder that is said to have healing powers and is believed to have been used by druids in their rituals. The stone is about 20 feet tall and weighs 2,000 tonnes. It is said that children who touch the stone are cured of their ailments. The Drake Stone is also said to be haunted. According to legend, a voice once boomed from the stone, warning workers who were attempting to drain the lake nearby that the village would be flooded if they continued. Additionally, those who spend the night near the stone are said to be unable to leave in the morning.

"The lonely tarn is of considerable area; the water is always pure, there being a spring in the centre. No Diatomes could be detected in the Sphagnum. The depth of water is unknown. It used to be said that the water is so cold, that those who attempt to swim across, receive such a shock, that they are paralysed and sink. There is no recollection, however, of any who have tried the experiment, having been drowned, and several have accomplished the feat. Some will say that the water which has no visible outlet permeates the intermediate strata, and re-appears at Our Lady's Well at Holystone." History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club Vol.12 (1887-1889).

It was built in the 12th century as a wooden motte and bailey castle, but was later rebuilt in stone. The castle was captured by the Scots in 1173-4, before the stonework had even started. The stone castle was probably started soon after, and was captured by Robert the Bruce in 1318. In 1319, Bruce ordered the castle to be dismantled, but it was restored in 1336. Between 1541 and 1551, the western and northern sides of the keep were rebuilt in the present form. Further repairs were made in 1563 and 1585. There were no further repairs to the castle, and it was used as a quarry. It suffered particularly when the new house 'Harbottle Castle' was built in the 17th century.