Cheviot Hills

The majority of the hills are in England, and the highest hill is the Cheviot at 815 metres. The hills host the final, northern, leg of the Pennine Way. Geologically they are Devonian granite outcrops with andesite lava outflows around the edges. The surrounding countryside is carboniferous limestone. On the English side of the border the hills fall within the Northumberland National Park.

The Northern Cheviots have five main valleys:

• College
• Harthope
• Breamish
• Bowmont
• Heatherhope

The Southern Cheviots run down to the River Coquet and its valley.

The Cheviot hills became part of the Northumberland National Park when it was created in 1956. Prior to this the hills had seen many battles and skirmishes between the English and the Scots right up to the Middle Ages. They also represented the eastern part of the Border Reiver lands.

The Cheviot hills are more gently rounded then steep and precipitous. Heather and moorland is common and are receives a high level of rain fall.

From the north. A1 from Edinburgh. From the south. Either the A68 from Corbridge or the A1 trunk road From the east. Many small roads providing access into the Cheviots. From the west. A69 through to Corbridge and then the A68 north. By plane into Newcastle airport. By train, north east line to Newcastle and stations north. Wooler is probably the main local town. Others include Rothbury and on the Scottish side Yetholm.

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The College Valley with its varied bird life, ancient stone circle and hill forts.

The valley has restricted car access - 12 permits issued each day, but it makes great cycling.

Kirk Yetholm and the end of the Pennine Way

Gefrin an ancient capital of the then British Isles. .

Wooler a pleasant market town with plenty of history and advice about getting round the Cheviots.

Rothbury another market town but next to Cragside , a national trust estate and building of much beauty.

There are very few opportunities to buy within the Cheviot Hills. However there are shops in Wooler and Rothbury, and a little further away Otterburn has a mill shop .

There are plenty of local public houses around the Cheviot hills.

Although the Cheviot hills are sparsely populated there are quite a few self-catering cottages available for rent. Within the College Valley there are three

• Coldburn cottage
• Dunsdale house
• and Hethpool Mill

There is a bunkhouse at Mounthooly, right at the top of the College Valley.

Advice on exploring the Cheviot hills should be sought from the National Park advisors .