GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Hartburn Glebe Grotto Woodland Walk

0.93 miles (1.5 km)

Explore these pretty little woods in the village of Hartburn on this short walk in Northumberland. A river runs through the area with a deep pool reputed to have been used to hide silver and valuables during Viking Raids. Look out for wildlife including red squirrels, badgers and otters and various interesting plants and flowers. There's also a splendid Grade ll listed grotto near the river. It was  created in the 18th century as a changing area for ladies wishing to bathe in the Hart Burn.
Hartburn Glebe is situated about 6 miles (10 km) to the west of Morpeth
To continue your walking in the area you could visit Wallington Hall. There's some lovely walks here in the grounds of a country house with lakes, woodland, parkland and a beautiful walled garden.

Postcode

NE61 4JB - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Hartburn Glebe OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Hartburn Glebe Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Head a couple of miles west and you could enjoy some post walk refreshment at the Ox Inn in Middleton. The Stone built country pub serves a fine Sunday lunch and can be found at postcode NE61 4QZ for your sat navs. There's also a roaring fire and a good selection of real ales. The inn is dog friendly.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Footbridge at Hartburn - geograph.org.uk - 880708

Footbridge at Hartburn. An elaborate 18th Century bridge on the footpath leading to the nearby grotto

Location of Hartburn Grotto - geograph.org.uk - 1752983

Location of Hartburn Grotto. The grotto is cut into the sandstone cliff on the right. The steps lead down into the cave entrance and the tunnel that leads back towards the river bank, below the path.

Hartburn Grotto - geograph.org.uk - 1752963

Dr Sharpe was vicar of Hartburn from 1749-92 and it was he who carved the grotto out of the sandstone cliff. The internal gothick arch which divides the larger outer chamber from the dark inner one reflects that in the footbridge at the southern end of the walk down to the grotto. This too, along with Tower House, were also built by Dr Sharpe. The two niches above the grotto entrance used to house statues of Adam and Eve. The tunnel is 15m long, roofed with large slabs (over which the path runs) but is now a crawl. It is said to have allowed discrete access for bathers from the cave to the river.

Bridge over stream - geograph.org.uk - 535572

Bridge over stream

Tower House, Hartburn - geograph.org.uk - 116263

Tower House. The 18th-century Vicar of Hartburn (Dr John Sharpe) also built the crenellated Tower House that overlooks Hartburn Glebe. It was built as a village school, accommodation for the schoolmaster, and as a stable for the parish hearse in 1745. The north face of the house is built in an 18th-century Gothic style whilst the south face, with its stairs up the outside, resembles a large Northumbrian bastle house.

St Andrew's Church, Hartburn - geograph.org.uk - 1752816

 St Andrew's Church, Hartburn. When the vestry was repaired of dry rot in 1966, a line of skeletons was found buried just beneath the floor. They were dated between 966 and 1166 AD.  The church is a Grade I listed building with Norman architecture and some medieval alterations.   Marks perhaps carved into the doorpost by the Knights Templar, who may have used the church in the 13th Century, are still visible.

The Hart Burn at Hartburn - geograph.org.uk - 389314

The Hart Burn at Hartburn

Hartburn Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1752871

Hartburn Bridge

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Hartburn Glebe.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Hartburn Glebe.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)