Greenhaugh – Nature Trails, Landscape and History

Greenhaugh combines impressive landscapes with trails, historical traces and special opportunities for observing nature. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage can choose the location based on which experiences they want to shape their stay: walks along the stream and riverbank, a circular cycling route, historical discoveries or seasonal nature observations.

Landscape around Greenhaugh

The Greenhaugh Burn runs south of the village, while Hareshaw Common lies east of Greenhaugh. Some of the most beautiful hay meadows in Northumberland National Park are located around Greenhaugh. A distinctive area of landscape is the field locally known as „The Bog“, on the right of the footpath from Walk No 1. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Those interested in plants can also look out for the northern marsh orchid: the Northern Marsh Orchid, scientifically known as Actylorhiza purpurella, blooms in June and July.

The seasonal changes also make the surroundings interesting. At a waterfall or linn on the Tarret, salmon and sea trout overcome the fall at the end of November and the beginning of December to reach their spawning grounds in the gravel beds along the upper reaches of the Tarret. This is one of the clearly dateable nature experiences that can be taken into account when planning a stay.

Walks and active outings

A footpath from Greenhaugh leads to Greenhaugh Meadow. In addition, a „Poems in the Air“ walk starts in Greenhaugh, combining nature with literary impressions. For cyclists, the Red Squirrel Cycle Route passes through Greenhaugh as a circular route in the North Tyne area. This allows different forms of transport to be incorporated into travel planning without reducing the location to just one type of outing.

The guide „Walks around Greenhaugh“ describes seven scenic walking routes with detailed maps and information about the landscape, buildings, flora and fauna. One riverside walk included in the guide to Redmire is given as 2¼ miles (3½ km). This specific distance helps you choose walks that fit your daily plans. Those travelling with children can take different interests into account: nature observation, exercise, stories about the landscape and discoveries along the way complement one another in Greenhaugh.

Discovering historical traces

Greenhaugh was first mentioned in 1326 as a shepherd’s shelter, known in English as a „shieling“. In the regional surroundings near Tarset Lanehead stands Tarset Castle, a castle ruin dating from 1267. The Holly Bush Inn first appears on Ordnance Survey maps in the 1860s. The original Boughthill Farm also tells part of the region’s history: it is said to have been a bastle, or fortified farmhouse. Bastles provided farmers with protection from the marauding bands known as Border Reivers.

Choosing Greenhaugh as a holiday destination

Greenhaugh can be reached by car from the A1 via the A69 and then the A68 through Bellingham. When looking for accommodation, you can therefore first consider whether your trip will be shaped mainly by walking routes, landscape, cycling, history or seasonal nature observations. A holiday apartment in Greenhaugh fits this plan if you would like to regard the village itself as a base for the experiences mentioned; you should check the specific facilities, prices or availability with the accommodation provider in question.

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Greenhaugh, you can also discover Blanchland, Glanton, Boulmer, Bellingham, Chatton, Slaley, Matfen and Chathill.

For the higher-level travel overview: Northumberland.