Great winter walks in the North East near a cosy pub (part 1)

From the thundering waterfalls of Teesdale to the snow-powdered dales of the Yorkshire Wolds, here are 5 pub walks that reveai the beauty of the North East’s winter landscapes.

With subtle light, a muted colour palette and pared back beauty, winter is a wonderful time to head outdoors for a bracing walk. The North East of England offers an immense variety of walking terrain. From breathtaking hilltop views and spectacular seascapes to woodland walks and gentle strolls in secluded dales, there is something to suit everyone. With the promise of a cosy pub, a crackling fire, real ales and good food, the perfect hibernal walk awaits. Here are the first 5 of my favourite places for an awesome winter walk within striking distance of a great pub, from Teesdale to the Yorkshire Wolds:

Low Force and High Force & the Rose and Crown, Romaldkirk

High Force, Teesdale

Walk: Follow the Pennine Way trail to High Force, England’s biggest waterfall, where a thundering sheet of white water crashes 21 metres over a shelf of ancient Whin Sill rock into a swirling pool below. The waterfall’s lesser-known sister, Low Force, is at the beginning of the walk. Chances are you’ll be passing through the picture-postcard village of Romaldkirk on your way back so it’s worth the short drive to call in at the gorgeous creeper-clad Rose and Crown pub here. It’s a proper Dales pub with stone-flagged floors, rustic beams and a roaring open fire, not to mention local ales and tea and scones - while they last!

Directions: Park at Bowless Visitor Centre. Head back to the road and cross over to follow a footpath to a bridge and Low Force waterfall where you can pick up the Pennine Way. High Force is about 1.5 miles upstream.

Ramshaw Moors & The Lord Crewe Arms

Sikehead Chimneys

Walk: Bridleways and footpaths criss-cross the remote moors around Blanchland. The monumental Sikehead Chimney, a remnant of the Jeffrey Smelt Mill, looms on the horizon of moorland south of the village. You could spend hours exploring this graveyard of a once-booming lead mining industry. Keep this adventure for a clear day when the heather sparkles in the low winter sunlight, then head back to the historic Lord Crewe Arms for refreshments in its atmospheric crypt bar, a medieval vaulted chamber beneath the honey-stone hotel.

Directions: From Blanchland, follow the sign for Baybridge, cross the bridge and follow signs for Stanhope for about 2 miles. Once on the moors, the first footpath running along the disused flue is on the right with a bridleway further along. The moors are vast so take a map and compass.

Rosedale Head & the Lion Inn at Blakey

Rosedale Head

Walk: The ramble along this old ironstone railway line around Rosedale Head offers spectacular views across the valley as red kites circle and dive above. Return to the open fires beneath beamed ceilings at the Lion Inn at Blakey, a much-loved 16th century moorland inn, situated on the highest point of the North York Moors.

Directions: From the Lion Inn car park cross the road and follow a footpath sign down to the old railway line, continuing around Rosedale Head. Unless you are up for a mega hike, it’s a long walk so turn back when it suits.

Runswick Bay to Staithes & The Cod and Lobster

Staithes

Walk: A glorious coastal hike along a lovely section of the Cleveland Way national trail starting out at picturesque Runswick Bay with its whitewashed cottages clinging precarioiusly to the cliff side. The route ends at the quaint fishing village of Staithes, with a great beach for fossil-hunting (take care of falling rocks at the south end of the beach). Hunker down at the Cod and Lobster pub and watch the waves roll into the harbour.

Directions: Park in Bank Top car park at Runswick Bay. From the car park look out for the Cleveland Way fingerpost at the road junction. The route is easy to follow from here. Return the same way or catch the regular X4 bus service back.

Huggate Dykes and the Wolds Inn

Huggate Dykes

Walk: A series of mysterious Bronze Age mounds and channels carved out of the earth to mark important boundaries in the landscape. These dykes are one of the best preserved remnants of an earlier more complex system. Wander through these peaceful dales and reflect on how our ancient forebears divided land for social, ritual and agricultural purposes. Afterwards, head to the Wolds Inn in Huggate, popular with walkers and cyclists and a thriving community hub. It’s also the highest pub on the Yorkshire Wolds.

Directions: Park at Waterman’s Hole (54.0008, -0.6950) and follow the Chalkland Way through Tun Dale and Frendal Dale to see some of the most impressive dykes.

Keep an eye out for part 2 - Northumberland to Sunderland

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