St Cuthbert's Way - Day 4 - Kirk Yetholm to Wooler -13 Miles/21 Km with an ascent of 2,031ft / 619 m

Kirk Yetholm to Wooler
St Cuthberts Way, Scottish/English borders Day 4
This was a very scenic day of 13 miles, with 1900 feet of elevation crossing the border from Scotland to England. We were staying at the Border Hotel in Kirk Yetholm, the previous night we had requested breakfast at 8am and ordered a packed lunch (£9.50).
The hot weather from the previous day continued, with the threat of afternoon thunder storms. Following another delicious breakfast, we left at 9am, just as a shower was abating. We left the beautiful village green, following the Pennine Way/St Cuthberts Way signs up a steep road, which continues onto a track.
After 45 minutes of walking the path splits, with SCW going left, and the path going over a col. We reached the border at 10.10 am, (2 miles, 260m ascent 55 mins), with respective signs saying welcome to England/Scotland. The path is straightforward, passing Eccles Cairn (352m) to the left, descending past a plantation, along a road, to arrive in the small hamlet of Hethpool, where there is some accommodation. (406m ascent, 6.7 miles, 3 hours). We continued along the valley, the path going over a cattle grid, before turning uphill. There are shooting ranges, fortunately not in use when we passed!! and signs saying mind out for the ground nesting birds. A diversion could be taken to the left up the top of Yeavering Bell, which had the largest and most important hill fort in Northumberland.
We stopped to eat our lunch on the slopes of Tom Tallon's crag- a great name. The packed lunch was extremely disappointing and not worth the money paid. In the area are views to The Cheviot the sea, and plenty of birds to watch. Passing Humbleton Hill to the left, which has some of the best examples of sub-glacial water channels in northern England. It is famous for the battle of Humbleton Hill which was fought between England and Scotland in 1402, and mentioned in Shakespeare's Henry IV. Continuing over a dried-up peat bog, then down through a very pretty wood, (5.5 hours 11.6 miles 622m ascent) before emerging at a car park. (14.45pm). At this point the path was closed due to tree damage caused by storm Elwin the previous year. We turned left, and followed the narrow fairly busy Common Road into Wooler, passing a disused WW2 bunker to our left.
We arrived in Wooler at 3.00pm, checking in at our destination of the very old Hotel and Wine Lounge. Later we had a lovely walk round Wooler, visiting the 5 churches, war memorial, old station and a large co-op. We sat on a bench eating our delicious fish and chips from Millie and Cindy's chip shop, by our hotel. There are numerous pubs to stay in and dine. If wishing to leave, there is a bus to Berwick railway station.
This had been another day of lovely walking, most of the day had felt fairly remote, without seeing any walkers until lunch-time. An alternative route would have been to follow the Pennine Way to a junction 30 minutes before the top of The Cheviot. Then ascending The Cheviot, before descending to Wooler with views of the town and the sea. We may have chosen this route, but as thunderstorms had been forecast, opted for the valley route instead. However, we had no rain.
Distance 13 miles (21km)
Duration of Walk 6 Hours 10 mins including breaks
Elevation Gained 2050 feet (625m)
Average pace 28 minutes a mile
Information/Advice
There are no refreshments on this stage-so pack accordingly. We should have stocked up on more food before arriving in Kirk Yetholm, as there is no shop there. Hence, we ordered the packed lunch from The Border Hotel.
There is sometimes bad weather on this section, so pack accordingly.
Websites used www.bookings.com Hotel and Wine Lounge Wooler
www.bbc.co.uk/weather