Bastle Weekend Walk One Black Middens and Tarset Burn

This is the first of two walks in Northumberland featuring bastles. Why not make a weekend of it and join us for both walks?

This walk features the Holly Bush Inn, which is the oldest building in Greenhaugh dating back to 1650. The area was known for border reiving for 300 years, which explains the defensive farm houses or 'bastles' on the route. 

From Greenhaugh it's past Sneep Farm and on to Black Middens Bastle for a short break then across the Tarset and past Sidwood. After a short climb, the route levels out for a while and then descends past some small waterfalls. The route then meets a track and passes the former Thorneyburn Station and up the bank for some excellent views of the North Tyne Valley. Then down to cross the Tarset once more and upstream to Greenhaugh.