Discover West Woodburn: Walking and History

West Woodburn combines walking opportunities with architectural history and surroundings shaped by open moorland. If you are planning a stay, you can compare the three walks by distance; the bridge, inscription and Roman remains offer distinct historical points of interest.

Walking by distance and difficulty

West Woodburn has three named walking routes of different lengths. Walk 1: Cragg farm and Ridsdale Ironworks starts at Corsenside Parish Hall in West Woodburn, is 6.5 miles (10.5 km) long and is classified as moderate. Walk 2: West Woodburn Village and Corsenside Church covers 5.2 miles (8.3 km). Walk 3: Lisles Valley is 8 miles (12 km) long and is considered challenging.

By distance, Walk 2 is the shortest route and Walk 3 the longest; Walk 1 falls between them. Walk 1 and Walk 3 also have a stated difficulty rating: moderate for Walk 1 and challenging for Lisles Valley. This lets you consider route length and stated difficulty separately, rather than treating them as equivalent.

A walking guide to self-guided exploration invites you to discover the footpaths and bridleways around West Woodburn and Corsenside. Check trail conditions before setting out, as they can change.

Bridge, inscription and Roman remains

West Woodburn Bridge is a Grade II listed building. The ashlar stone bridge dates from the early 19th century and has two broad segmental arches. The arches define the bridge's structure, while its listing adds heritage status to its architectural features.

The year 1797 is carved in stone above the door of the Bay Horse Inn in West Woodburn. This date predates the bridge's construction in the early 19th century. Together, the two details offer distinct historical reference points: a specific year and an approximate period of construction.

Near West Woodburn are Roman remains of a carved figure known locally as “Rob of Risingham.” If you plan to include the remains in a visit, check access beforehand.

Moorland and the village calendar

High, open moorland and the commons of Corsenside, East Woodburn and Chesterhope surround East Woodburn and West Woodburn. The moorland describes the open upland landscape; the three named commons also locate the surroundings through several place names. The walking guide offers another perspective: it focuses on footpaths and bridleways around West Woodburn and Corsenside, while Walk 1 starts at Corsenside Parish Hall in West Woodburn.

One event in the village calendar is the Corsenside Parish Show. It takes place on the third Saturday in September on the village green in West Woodburn. If you want to plan your trip around the event, confirm the annual event details before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Ashington, Warkworth, Guyzance, Slaley, Belford, Lowick, Hepple, Chathill

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