Attractions and Places To See around Whalton - Top 20

Northumberlandia (Lady Of The North) 115.3m P55.3 (378ft) (DoBIH Hill ID: 16083) [JNSA 23759] County of Northumberland Definitive List summit.

Cycling guides for the wagonways in North Tyneside can be downloaded from the council's website https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/244/waggonways-routes

🚂 The Seaton Burn Waggonway, originally known as the Brunton and Shields Railway, was an industrial railway line operated between 1826 and 1920 to transport coal from collieries such as Brunton, Burradon and Seaton Burn to the River Tyne. The line was partly horse-drawn and partly rope-operated with stationary steam engines—an early form of funicular railway1. In 1837 the route was extended to North Shields, and around 1867 it was converted to standard gauge to connect with the wider railway network. Today, the former railway line has been converted into a traffic-free footpath and cycleway, part of the Waggonways network in North Tyneside. The path winds through green corridors and past traces of industrial heritage, and is popular with walkers, cyclists and nature lovers.

The "Northumberlandia" project owes its origins to open-cast mining: The earth lying above the mineral resources to be mined (e.g., coal seams) – known in technical terms as "overburden" – is typically stored on a so-called "overburden dump." Europe's largest artificial mountain, "Sophienhöhe," was created this way in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. As a landscape project, the overburden was used to create a reclining female figure called "Northumberlandia." However, from a ground perspective, little will be visible on site. To experience the outline of the sculpture of the lady, also known as the "Lady of the North," there is a plan sketch on the official website, which I have imported into the komoot image gallery (source: https://www.northumberlandia.com/ ).

really good trail

Fantastic views of the Bothal Castle ruin from the village of Bothal (old English for dwelling). Well worth a stop to take in the magnificent castle, though be warned, you're in a bit of a dip, so it's a climb out from both sides.

Bothal Castle is an impressive building with a rich history. It was originally built in the12th century, but transformed into its current form in 1343. It's a private residence, and therefore not accessible to the public.

History of the Church: The parish church dates back to the late 12th century and was remodeled in the 13th century, likely after the village was burned by King John in 1216. The 14th century saw the addition of transepts. Major restoration and the addition of a south aisle, west tower, clerestory, and porch were carried out by R.J. Johnson of Newcastle in 1874-5. Exterior: The church features a mix of medieval squared stone and 19th-century ashlar with red tile roofs. Key elements include a west tower with an octagonal southwest stair turret, a south aisle with stepped angle buttresses and lancet windows, and a projecting southwest porch. The north nave wall has 13th-century masonry and a blocked door. The chancel’s south wall includes a 12th-century priest’s door and lancet windows, while the transepts have trefoiled ogee lights. Interior: Inside, the 12th-century south arcade features round moulded arches on round piers with scalloped capitals. The north transept and south transept have foliage-carved capitals and a small piscina, respectively. The chancel arch and tower arch are 19th-century, and the chancel includes triple sedilia and eastern lancets with 12th-century outer shafts. Fittings include a 1622 Revely monument, a Romanesque wall monument, a medieval bell, and various 19th-century items like the font, pulpit, and reredos with figures of Saints Aidan and Cuthbert.