Simonside Hills
experience big skies and awe-inspiring views
Lordenshaws car park, Rotherby, Northumberland, E65 7NW
Visit WebsiteNowhere does big skies and awe-inspiring views quite like Northumberland. It’s a county of untamed wilderness and craggy skylines. One of the best places to experience it all is in the Simonside Hills just south of Rothbury, where the landscape is a wild expanse of heather and dramatic sandstone outcrops.
- Children Welcome
- Multiple Dogs Allowed
- Parking
- Rural Walks
Good to know
Overview
From the car park at Lordenshaws, it’s a straightforward, steady hike uphill to reach the ridge of Dove Crag. The views from here are outstanding, taking in the surrounding countryside, Cheviot Hills and even the coast on a clear day. While Dove Crag is a huge draw for hikers, you don’t need to walk much further to find that you’re the only person in sight.
Selby’s Cove is an impressive sandstone crag which is little frequented by anyone other than rock climbers, while the forestry plantation on the lower slopes of the hills offers a choice of two woodland trails.
For an easy short walk which is less popular, take the path to explore Lordenshaws hillfort. Built around two thousand years ago, it’s one of Northumberland’s easiest hillforts to access, and has some of the largest clusters of Bronze Age cup and ring marked rocks in the whole of the UK.
Dogs will need to be kept on leads or under close control while you explore the heather moor due to ground nesting birds, but the forest trails offer an opportunity to let your dog have a good run off the lead.
After your walk, there are a number of dog friendly pubs and cafés in easy reach for a well-deserved snack. We’d recommend The Running Fox in Longframlington, which is a 15-minute drive away.
For The Dogs
Bring leads, water and poop bags.
Opening Hours
Daylight hours are recommended.
Parking
Park at Lordenshaws car park, Rotherby, Northumberland, E65 7NW.
The Area
If the views across to the coast put you in mind of a visit to the beach, we’d recommend heading to Druridge Bay, a huge seven mile stretch of beach which is dog friendly all year round. Popular with families, dog walkers and horse riders, if you prefer your beaches on the quieter side, head south down the coast to Cresswell. The very start of the Northumberland Coast Path, the sands here are generally much quieter and mostly visited by locals. The Drift Café is open daily and is the perfect place to fuel up for the day or relax after a walk – dogs are welcome in the heated marquee and outdoor areas.
For more walks, pubs and places to stay, see our guide to dog friendly Northumberland.
