Meadowside Cottage

08/10/2026

October days ☀️

Our 12-mile walk from Castle Carrock was one of those beautiful autumn days you want to make the most of — glorious sunshine, blue skies and long-distance views stretching across the Eden Valley and beyond to the Solway Firth.

The afternoon warmth from the sunshine was very welcome. It was only when we turned into the breeze that we were reminded that autumn is here.

Days like this are a lovely reminder that there’s still plenty of sunshine, fresh air and beautiful countryside to enjoy before winter arrives.

30/09/2026

Our 11-mile walk from Lanchester explored an area where echoes of the coal industry still remain. For generations, mining brought jobs, livelihoods and prosperity to communities across the North East, and reminders of that industrial past can still be seen in the landscape.

Today, the wind turbines on the surrounding hills are a striking reminder of how our sources of energy have changed.

After a damp start, the sun returned, giving us a warm afternoon to enjoy the landscape and the first signs of an autumnal day.

27/09/2026

The burning of the wolf 🐺
One of the highlights of
Each year the wolf takes a new shape and this year it was howling at the full moon.
Such a great evening, atmospheric and a full moon and clear sky made it even more so.

25/09/2026

Wednesday’s walk wasn’t wet as the forecast had promised.

There’s something rather lovely about getting a day like this when the forecasters get it wrong.

Our 13.5-mile route from Haltwhistle took us through quiet dales and across open moorland, making the most of a beautiful autumnal day.

One of those days that reminds you how lucky we are to have all this on our doorstep.

16/09/2026

A moorland traverse from Cumbria to Northumberland 🍂

Our Wednesday walk started in Nenthead, heading up out of the village before joining Isaac’s Tea Trail – a lovely route that we followed at various points throughout the day.

After the riverside path we climbed the fell and crossed the border into Northumberland and into the beautiful Mohope Valley, with wide-open fell views all around us.

We were lucky with the weather too. Blue skies and warmth for much of the morning, while from around 3pm we could see rain clouds gathering over Cumbria. Thankfully, they stayed away until after 4pm, by which time we were already making our descent back towards Nenthead.

There were plenty of little signs that autumn is on its way, with mushrooms appearing across the fell and the heather still adding touches of pink to the landscape.

And the wildlife was a real highlight – we spotted a deer, a barn owl, a short-eared owl and even a black grouse.

A lovely day to be out on the fell, enjoying the changing seasons and the wide open North Pennines landscape. 💚

10/09/2026

A lovely day out from Low Row to Lanercost Priory and Hadrians Wall.

Yesterday’s Wednesday Walk took us from Low Row, near Brampton, to beautiful Lanercost Priory and then onwards to a section of Hadrian’s Wall that I hadn’t walked before.

It was one of those lovely warm September days when summer hasn’t quite let go, but there were plenty of little signs of autumn too. 🍎 Trees were laden with fruit and damsons and sloes were growing in abundance along the way.

It was lovely to see so many other walkers out enjoying the trail and the sunshine. We returned along an attractive riverside path, passing crags with names and dates carved into them by visitors over the years – a little reminder of how many people have enjoyed this landscape before us.

Lanercost Priory makes this a particularly easy day out – you can combine a visit to the English Heritage site with a gentle wander around the area, and there’s a café and gift shop beside the car park for a well-earned coffee or something to eat. The guidebook is also in our cottage, so guests staying can read a little about the priory before they visit.

A lovely part of the country to explore at an unhurried pace – and another day out to add to the list when you stay.

04/09/2026

Free entry to The Bowes Museum on Sat 12th Sept and Sun 13th Sept as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days 💚

Enjoy a fantastic free day out with family and friends at The Bowes Museum and celebrate England’s largest festival of history and culture, Heritage Open Days. There are exhibitions to discover, 22 galleries and a large parkland to explore.

30/08/2026

A breath of fresh air…
The pink heather around Allenheads is still pretty as a picture 🩷

19/08/2026

A little North Pennines weather didn’t stop us!

We set off from Rookhope at 10am and, almost perfectly on cue, the forecasted shower arrived at 11. But once it had passed, we were rewarded with a lovely day for exploring.

The route took us past Heights Quarry and on to the new interpretation boards at Middlehope Shield, with sections of both the Weardale Way and Roof of England Walk along the way.

Another great day out from the cottage — and a reminder that a shower or two can’t always be trusted to spoil a good walk!

02/08/2026

One of those lovely unexpected moments that make a day out in the North Pennines so special. 🚜

We were enjoying our cycle ride to Whitfield and back through nearby Carrshield and Ninebanks when we came across today’s tractor run. Sunshine, quiet lanes, stunning views and a wonderful display of vintage tractors – a real taste of rural life.

The tractors are due back at Jill’s Catering in Catton at around 3pm today if you’re nearby.