A Northumberland Road Trip To The Cheviots

A Northumberland Road Trip To The Cheviots

This is the second part of our recommended Northumberland road trip from Herding Hill Farm Camping and Glamping Site. The first section takes in Hadrian’s Wall and then inland to Alnwick. They can be done in isolation over a day or a short weekend or combined to make a longer trip. All offer plenty of opportunity for stopping off to visit the local villages and attractions, walking and enjoying the panoramic views. This part of the Northumberland road trip heads further inland from Rothbury out into the wildness of the Cheviots. 

Guests can also combine a stay at Herding Hill Farm with our siste campsite near Edinburgh Drummohr Camping and Glamping with our recommended roadtrip between Edinburgh and Northumberland.

A Northumberland road trip to the Cheviots offers dramatic scenery, peaceful villages, and the perfect escape from busy modern life. The Cheviot Hills form part of the border between England and Scotland and are a haven for walkers, cyclists, and anyone who loves wild open spaces. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or adding it to a longer NC250 itinerary, a journey into the Cheviots is unforgettable.

Why Choose the Cheviots for a Northumberland Road Trip? 

The Cheviots are less crowded than the coast, making them ideal for a slower, more mindful style of travel. Highlights include: 

• Unspoilt scenery: Rolling hills, heather moorland, and panoramic views
• Wildlife encounters: Curlews, red squirrels, and sometimes even wild goats
• Historic sites: Hillforts, battlefields, and Roman remains
• Outdoor adventures: Hiking, cycling, horse riding, and wild swimming

Scenic Routes Through the Cheviots 

One of the joys of a Northumberland road trip is the driving itself. Winding roads lead you through valleys and over moors where sheep often outnumber cars. The three recommended valley routes in the Cheviots are:

• Harthope Valley:  A short drive from Wooler, Harthope Valley is one of the most beautiful spots in the Cheviots. Park up and follow walking trails to The Cheviot, the highest peak in Northumberland at 815m. 
• College Valley:  This private valley has limited car permits (to protect its natural beauty), but you can drive part of the way or explore on foot or bike. Expect dramatic views, hidden waterfalls, and ancient hillforts.  
• Breamish Valley:  Further south, the Breamish Valley near Ingram is perfect for a gentle road trip loop. Stop at the Ingram Café, explore Bronze Age settlements, or hike up Brough Law for stunning views.

Top things to Do on a Cheviots Road Trip 

• Walk The Cheviot Summit: A challenging but rewarding hike with views stretching across Scotland and Northumberland
• Explore Hillforts: Yeavering Bell and Humbleton Hill offer history and epic landscapes 
• Visit Hedgehope Hill: A quieter alternative to The Cheviot, with sweeping moorland views
• Stargazing: The Cheviots sit within Northumberland International Dark Sky Park—perfect for spotting the Milky Way
• Wild Swimming: Brave a dip in one of the natural pools in the valleys.

What are the main towns and landmarks of the Cheviots?

Rothbury

A spectacular 12-mile drive from Alnwick through Edlingham with views of the spectacular Simonside Hills. Rothbury is probably most famous for Cragside House and Gardens, operated by the National Trust, home to Lord Armstrong, and the first home in the world to be lit by hydroelectric power. The rhododendron gardens are stunning in Spring and early Summer. Rothbury, the capital of Coquetdale, offers plenty of shops, art galleries, tea rooms, cafes and pubs. Located on the River Coquet, there is a beautiful riverside walk and it makes a very convenient base for fishing. If you are looking for a lovely spot to park up for the night, then check out Clennell Hall Riverside. 

Alnwinton 

Nearby Harbottle is a one of the most picturesque of Coquetdale’s villages. The village is overlooked by the ruins of a 12th-century castle. From here you can walk up to the Drake Stone and the nearby lough. Holystone has an atmospheric little pool where it's rumoured St Ninian baptised early Christians. Alnwinton is a good starting point to join part of the Pennine Way on the Border Ridge, a unique opportunity to walk between two countries as well as the lovely River Alwin Walk. 

Ingram

At Ingram you’ll find the Breamish Valley Archaeology Exhibition, as well as many hill walks, rich in history. On the hills above the Breamish Valley are many archaeological remains of earlier occupations, from Neolithic and Bronze Age burial sites to hillforts and medieval farmsteads. It is ideal for picnics. Branton Lakes Nature Reserve is a diverse habitat for numerous species of plants, birds and other wildlife. For a great experience, camp over at the River Breamish. 

The Cheviot  

The Cheviot is the highest point in the Northumberland National Park at 815 metres and forms part of the long-distance walk, The Pennine Way. On a clear day you can the Lake District to the South West and Edinburgh to the North (allegedly!). It is just 2km from the Scottish border. Not for the faint hearted, a 15km boggy and strenuous walk takes in the peaks of the Cheviot as well as Hedgehope Hill, Comb Fell, Cairn Hill and Scald Hill.  

Wooler 

Known as the “Gateway to the Cheviots”, Wooler is popular with cyclists and ramblers. The local area has many Iron Age hillforts including Yeavering Bell (where you are likely to see feral goats) and the College Valley. Chillingham Castle is reported to be one of the most haunted in Britain, running night ghost tours which are not for the faint hearted! Heatherslaw Cornmill and Bakery is the only working water-driven cornmill in Northumberland and has been converted into a museum to show the whole milling process from field to flour. The Heatherslaw Light Railway runs from the cornmill to Etal Castle. The Wooler area and the Cheviot hills offer spectacular cycle paths with stunning views.   Why not check out the Highburn House campsite? 

Linhope Spout

This spectacular Linhope Spout waterfall and plunge pool is a pretty spot for picnics and can be reached via a lovely walk along a quiet burn.  

What is the NC250?

The NC250 or NE250 is a 250 mile trip through Northumberland. Whilst the NC250 does not pass directly through the Cheviots, it's a simple diversion from Wooler. Remember to stock up on supplies in Wooler, where there are a good selection of bakeries, delis and independent stores.

Herding Hill Farm 

Return to Herding Hill Farm Camping and Glamping site via the A1, Northumbria Coast or inland via Kielder Water.  Please remember that wild camping is not allowed in England.  Visit Northumberland website for more information and ideas.