Our Time at Simonside
From breakfast to the hills
We came to Simonside after a substantial breakfast in Rothbury at Townfoot Café & Bar, driving through Great Tosson and past Tosson Tower before continuing uphill to the Forestry England car park.
The tower was caught in the sunshine as we passed. A rather good introduction to a morning that seemed determined to show Northumberland at its best.
Watch for the car park information board as you approach. We thought it would be easy to drive past while looking at the scenery.
There were families, couples and groups of walkers getting ready when we arrived. A cheerful half-term atmosphere, with everyone apparently pleased to have found themselves outside on such a lovely day.
Plenty to stop for
The paths took us through changing woodland and onto open ground, with heather, sandstone and increasingly impressive views.
We found the signposting helpful and the route straightforward to follow. The actual walking needed more attention in places, particularly on the steeper rocky sections.
Meg loved the variety. New smells, different surfaces and endless opportunities to investigate something just ahead of us.
Tom kept calling her back. He still remembers the occasion she mistook an adder for a wet stick, and one such misunderstanding is quite enough.
Take the climb at your own pace
Much of our walk felt manageable, but some inclines had me properly out of puff.
It didn’t help that Tom and Meg appeared to regard anyone ahead as a personal challenge. I was rather more interested in stopping to appreciate the view. And breathing.
There were places where we needed to step carefully over rocks, and I was grateful for a helping hand on one particular climb.
This is a walk to enjoy at a comfortable pace. Leave room for rests, photographs and the occasional discussion about what constitutes encouragement.
A very worthwhile view
At the top, the landscape opened around us.
The Coquet Valley, the Cheviots and miles of countryside beneath a fresh blue sky. We had picked a wonderfully clear day, and the views made the effort feel very worthwhile.
The descent on the other side was gentler, and we enjoyed that part just as much. Soft golden light, cheerful walkers and plenty of reasons for Tom to stop with his camera.
For once, nobody objected.
Heather & Sand verdict: A beautiful walk with real variety and spectacular views on a clear day. Expect some effort and uneven, rocky ground rather than a gentle stroll throughout. Give yourself time, wear suitable footwear and stop often enough to remember why you came.
Read the full story from our visit: Golden Light & Darker Corners.