Greenhaugh: Paths, Meadows and History

Greenhaugh can be explored through its landscape, paths and history. The Greenhaugh Burn runs south of the village, while Hareshaw Common lies to the east. There is also Greenhaugh Meadow, several named walking routes and a cycle route that passes through the village. Before choosing a hotel, you can consider whether a particular walk, the scenery or the historical traces will be the deciding factor for your stay.

The Landscape Around Greenhaugh

Some of the finest hay meadows in Northumberland National Park lie around Greenhaugh. The Greenhaugh Burn runs south of the village; Hareshaw Common lies to the east. These two directional references help to place the landscape features. A footpath also leads from Greenhaugh to Greenhaugh Meadow, making it possible to enjoy a walk with a clearly named destination.

The field locally known as “The Bog” lies to the right of the footpath on Walk No 1 and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). For anyone interested in the landscape and its notable places, it offers a specific protected-site reference alongside the hay meadows and the burn.

Walks and Cycle Route

The guide “Walks around Greenhaugh” features seven scenic walks. Detailed maps accompany information about the landscape, buildings, flora and fauna. One of the riverside walks described leads to Redmire and is 2¼ miles (3½ km) long. This gives you a choice of several routes, as well as a walk with a specified length and destination.

The “Poems in the Air” walk starts in Greenhaugh. If you would rather explore a cycle route, the Red Squirrel Cycle Route is a circular route in the North Tyne area that passes through Greenhaugh. The descriptions distinguish the options by activity and route type: a walk or riverside walk on the one hand, and a circular cycle route on the other. You can choose what to focus on during your stay based on the type of outing.

Local History and Regional Heritage

Greenhaugh was first mentioned in 1326 as a shepherd’s shelter (shieling). Another historical trace is the Holly Bush Inn, which first appears on Ordnance Survey maps in the 1860s.

The original Boughthill Farm is said to have been a bastle, or fortified farmhouse. Bastles offered farmers protection from the marauding gangs known as the Border Reivers.

Tarset Castle, near Tarset Lanehead, is also part of the region’s heritage. The castle ruins date from 1267 and lie in the wider area around Greenhaugh. They add an explicitly regional dimension to the local history: Greenhaugh’s own early mention and the history of the castle ruins are distinct historical points of interest.

Getting There by Car

You can reach Greenhaugh by car from the A1 via the A69, then along the A68 through Bellingham. This sequence of roads provides a specific guide for your journey if you choose Greenhaugh as your destination.

Discover more destinations: Ponteland, Longframlington, Powburn, Lowick, Rothbury, Matfen, Carham, Holburn Village

For the broader travel overview: Northumberland.