See 5000 years of man’s history in just one day or maybe we can tempt you to take a little longer. From prehistoric cup & ring motifs carved into sandstone outcrops, henges and numerous strategically sited hillforts including the site of the palace of the ancient kings of Northumbria - Ad Gefrin, you can go on to visit one of Britain’s most important battle sites – Flodden field. Ancient castles, pele towers and bridges dot the area. The Market Town of Wooler and many picturesque villages containing historic churches and buildings are embedded in a beautiful rural landscape dominated by the mighty whale-backed form of Cheviot, the remnants of the most northerly volcano in England.
Rock carvings made by Neolithic and Early Bronze Age people, between 6000 and 3500 years ago. Over 1000 carved panels are known in Nortumberland and most of them are still located in the countryside
Below are just a few of the sites within Glendale that are relatively easy to reach from a road, they are marked on Ordnance Survey maps. You may have to hunt for then a little, but that adds to the experience.
Dod Law
many markings dot the hillside, explore and enjoy
Roughting Linn
These markings are on a huge natural, whaleback shape of sandstone outcrop, within woodland close to the road
Weetwood Moor
four sites close together on the moor
there are many important archaeological sites in the Glendale area. The ones highlighted here have excellent interpretation for the visitor.
Click on the links for more information and directions
Ad Gefrin
Royal township of the 6th c Anglo-Saxon kings of Northumbria
Known only from the 6th Century writings of the Venerable Bede, Ad Gefrin, the palace of the Anglo-Saxon kings in Northumbria, was little more than a legend until archaeologist Brian Hope Taylor began work at the site of Yeavering in the 1950’s. The site inerpretation traces the history of this important site, what we can learn from Hope Taylor’s original excavations and how today’s archaeologists are expanding our knowledge of this fascinating and unique piece of local history.
Maelmin
4000 year old henge site with an interpretation trail
Maelmin was the name of a royal township that existing near the modern day village of Milfield in Anglo-Saxon times. Today it is the site of a series of reconstructions of local archaeological structures.
These enable visitors to experience the scale of the originals which have been lost to time.
Many historic buildings dot the landscape, use the links on the side to find out more
Chillingham Castle
The most haunted house in England? take a tour to find out
Since 1246 the Castle has been owned by one continuous blood line with the Earls Grey ruling the Castle for the founding centuries. Those Grey Lords built the Castle’s alarming dungeons and torture chambers, as well as the beautiful parklands and gardens.
Etal Castle
14 century castle, border warfare exhibition, shop and audio tour
In 1513 the castle fell to the army of James IV of Scotland during his failed invasion of England. James was killed nearby during the Battle of Flodden, when a hastily recruited army of 20,000 Northerners decisively beat his army of 30,000 Scots.
Heatherslaw Mill
Working water mill on the banks of the River Till.
Lovingly-restored machinery installed in the 19th Century still produces high quality stoneground wholemeal flour from locally grown wheat.
The friendly millers are always happy to explain the workings of the mill, its history and traditional products. Mill produce is available
Lady Waterford Hall
a striking building, served as the village school until 1957, and is now the Village Hall. Recognised as one of the most interesting and gifted artists of the Victoria era, Lady Waterford spent the years between 1862 and 1883 decorating the walls with life size paintings. They depict children from the school, and people who lived in and around Ford, as characters from well-known biblical scenes.
The Battle of Flodden Field
Of the many battles fought between English and Scottish armies over the centauries, few match the ferocity and slaughter that took place one rainy September afternoon in 1513 between Branxton Hill and Flodden Hill in north Northumberland.
After sweeping south with an army of over 30,000 men King James IV of Scotland met with the 20,000 strong northern army of King Henry IIIV, commanded by the 70 year, old battle hardened, Earl of Surrey. At the end of the day James, the majority of his nobles and perhaps 10,000 of his army lay dead along with over 3000 English. A fuller account of the Battle can be found in the booklet which is on sale in St Paul’s Church, Branxton To view the battlefield drive north from Wooler on the A697 and after approximately 9 miles take the left turn for Branxton. Follow signs for the Flodden Monument. Visit the Flodden Website at: www.flodden.net
The Battle of Hedgeley Moor
The Battle of Hedgeley Moor on 25 April 1464, was a battle of the Wars of the Roses.
In mid April of 1464, John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu was marching North to attend meetings with Scottish envoys at Newcastle. His popularity meant that supporters flocked to his banner throughout the journey and by the time he left Newcastle, he was in charge of an army numbering five or six thousand men.
At Hedgley Moor in Northumberland he met a rebel force, consisting mainly of Lancastrians the King had pardoned, returned to their true colors. The Lancastrians were commanded by the Duke of Somerset and amongst their number were Sir Ralph Percy, Lords Roos and Hungerford, and Sir Ralph Grey. The Lancastrian army was five thousand strong, but morale was not as high as in the Yorkist camp.
The battle began with the normal exchange of archery between the two armies. Montagu then advanced across the 1,500 yards of moorland, only to be forced to halt and readjust his lines when the Lancastrian left flank, under Lords Roos and Hungerford, (some 2,000 men) faltered, broke and scattered.
The whole Lancastrian force gave way when the Yorkists clashed with their line. Pushed back by weight of numbers all but a few of the remaining Lancastrians fled the field. Sir Ralph Percy stayed with his household retainers and made a brave last stand. But, deserted by the rest of the army, including all the other commanders, he was soon slain.
Map Coordinates: 55.47111° N 1.92405° W
Visitor notes.A small lay by opposite A&J Scotts woodyard allows entry to an area that was the middle of the battlefield. Some stones and information boards inside a small wood.
The Battle of Homildon Hill
The battle of Homildon or Humbleton Hill, sometimes also known as the battle of Millfield, was fought on the 14th September 1402 between an army of Northumbrians led by Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland and force of Scottish raiders commanded by Archibald Douglas, 4th Earl of Douglas.
With the Scots arrayed in defensive formation on Homildon hill, it appears that Harry Hotspur, Northumberland's eldest son, was eager to avenge his earlier defeat at the battle of Otterburn at the hands of the Scots and was all for charging the Scottish position and beginning the battle as soon as possible.
Fortunately, for Hotspur at least, his father had managed to acquire the services of George Dunbar, 3rd Earl of March, sworn enemy of Douglas and as a Scot himself, well versed in the weaknesses of the Scottish fighting man. It was George who pointed out that since the Percys had gone to the trouble of hiring some archers it would be shame not to put them to some use. Therefore, rather than confront the Scots directly, Northumberland's army took up position at the nearby Harehope Hill, with a ravine between them and the Scottish army. The archers then moved to the foot of the hill and began firing at the enemy. Although the Scots did have archers of their own, they were rapidly outclassed during the consequent exchange of missiles despite the advantage they had in commanding a more elevated position.
It wasn't long before the sheer quantity of arrows raining down upon the Scots "made them bristle like hedgehogs"; the Earl of Douglas himself was hit a number of times and lost an eye as a result. Eventually Douglas had enough and decided to lead a charge at the English lines. In the face of the advancing Scots, the English archers simply retreated in an orderly fashion, whilst continuing "letting fly in their retreat so thick as hail amongst their enemies". Such was the ferocity of the fire that the Scots never made contact with their enemy. The Scottish cavalry decided they'd had enough and made a run for it, and the whole army soon disintegrated in their haste to make it to the border. In the subsequent chaos many Scots surrendered "for fear of the death-dealing arrows" whilst others made it as far as the river Tweed only to drown in its waters.
The Scottish death toll that day amounted to some 1,200 including around 500 who drowned in the Tweed. The English loses were slight, with only five casualties claimed.
