This walk was a bit of a random choice, we saw pictures of the Viaduct and decided we need to find a good route around it! It turned out to be a great decision! As well as the viaduct, this walk provided plenty of other points of interest - an old abandoned Prisoner of War camp, Featherstone castle and endless breathtaking views.
We started out from the car park where you join the trail and follow the signs to Lambley Viaduct, the dogs can mainly be off lead for the most part, however once you reach another car park you do need to cross over a road, so would recommend putting the dogs on the lead before reaching the car park. Once over the road, you carry on following the trail before shortly reaching the viaduct.
The viaduct provides amazing views through the valley and of the river below, the structure itself is very impressive. After taking in the views from the top of the viaduct, we reached the end and took the stairs to the right, at the bottom of the stairs you are met with 3 different directions you can go. You want to head straight on (we went right and it was the wrong way!), you will then cross over a smaller footbridge which allows you to head down to the riverside. We spend a good 20 minutes here, letting the dogs have a play in the river and getting some fantastic photos of the arches which tower above. Admittedly, this is the best part of the walk but it is easy to see why.
After rejoining the trail from the riverbanks, you go past the footbridge you previously crossed and you will be greeted by lots of open fields/farmland. There is lots of cattle grazing so the dogs needed to be on the lead, and this lasted for about 20/30 minutes. Keeping the river on your left, follow the path of the river and you will eventually pass some old abandoned PoW camps, there is around 3 of these to see. About 10 minutes walk past the PoW buildings, you will see Featherstone Castle, this is now privately owned so don't attempt to enter!
Once you reach the end of the farmland/fields, you pass over a small footbridge and begin to make your way through the woodlands back to the car park. Now the route back can be a little confusing due to all the stiles you need to cross, we did take a wrong turn or two... The link at the bottom is the guide we used for directions, so i would highly recommend using this.
Overall this is a great walk full of excellent views and fun stopping points for the dogs to have a play. The route offers opportunity for the dogs to be off lead, however they do need to be on for sections due to the grazing animals. We managed to get some great photos, check them out below!
Parking
The South Tyne Trail Car Park
Free
Postcode:NE49 0JF - The postcode takes you to the Wallace Arms pub - head a couple of 100 yards past the pub and you will see the car park.
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