Wark & Redesmouth
This village is about 2.5 miles from the route. It has a shop, post office, hotel and a pub. The landlord will direct you via a scenic and traffic free lane back onto the route again. Once a Norman frontier town, you enter it over a bridge. Chipchase Castle can be seen from the road. Welcome facilities in an area otherwise bereft of civilisation.
Directions
Road to Delight and beyond ...
Head out of Stamfordham keeping the Bay Horse on your left, passing through the hamlet of Fenwick. You will soon be in Matfen, another immaculate estate village. Here take the right turn signed for Ryal and Capheaton, followed by a right-angled left turn just out of the village. It's a mile or so past the hamlet of Delight until you reach the spendidly named Click 'em In Farm, where you bear right to Ryal.
Just beyond Ryal South Farm there is a track off to the right: if you fancy the off-road option, take it up to Hallington New House, where it joins the road again leading to the cross-roads outside Hallington. Turn right. You can, of course, ignore the off- raod section, and continue to Hallington along the road. Half a mile outside Hallington there is another off-road option to the left, taking you across a rough farm track and past the reservoir. Be warned - this track can get pretty muddy. This takes you via Little Swinburn and back onto the main route just before Colt Reservoir.
After a quick left-right shimmy to cross the A68, you will soon pass the edge of Birtley. Off to the left is Wark. You will soon come to a junction, with Heugh to the left. Take the right fork, head to Buteland and left onto the minor road, and so steeply down to Redesmouth.
Accommodation
Run by: Richard Slade
A converted 17th-c farmhouse carefully modernised to provide
comfortable and eco-friendly surroundings. Very used to having
cyclists and will help with repairs. The owners pride themselves
on superb authentic English cuisine.
Rooms : 4D, 7T, 2F, Disabled 3T and 1D on ground floor.
B&B : from £40 - £55
PL : £4.75. Evening meals £16.50
Distance from Reivers : 1 mile (turn left at Birtley)
VisitBritain 4-star inn
01434 230 209
www.battlesteads.com / [email protected]
Have you stayed here? Let us know!
Run by: Joanne & Darren Tulley
17th century inn on village green now under the ownership of
Richard Slade, who also runs the Battlesteads Hotel round the
corner. Good, locally sourced food and comfortably refurbished
rooms. New cycle lock-up and beer garden.
Rooms : 2D, 2T, 2F.
B&B : £37.50. Single occ. £50. Family room £100.
Evening meal : from £7.50.
Packed lunch : yes.
Distance from route : 1.25 miles.
Drying facilities & secure lock-up.
01434 230239
www.blackbullwark.co.uk / [email protected]
Have you stayed here? Let us know!