Allan Banks: Northumbrian Beauty and a Sting

Allen Banks: Northumbrian Beauty and a Sting.

Northumberland has a large number of beautiful dales. The River Allen as it runs through Staward Gorge and Allen Banks on its way into the River South Tyne, west of Haydon Bridge is one of the county’s most breathtaking valleys.

Trees are scarce in the North Pennines, which means that the tree covered slopes of Allen Banks and Staward Gorge are vitally important. Some of these woodlands date back to the Middle Ages and a great deal of planting was done around 1790.

Susan Davidson, who lived at Ridley Hall from 1830 to 1860 landscaped Allen Banks with wilderness planting to augment the more formal gardens around the hall.

Allen Banks car park, which is signposted from the A69 Road is a good place to start exploring the valley. The car park is open all the year round and has a leaflet dispenser.

The Ravine, which has miles of footpath, is mainly noted for three principal areas for walking. The Woods Walk covers two miles of Susan Davidson’’s wilderness walk along Raven’s Crag. A researcher discovered an old photograph which led to the recreation of one of her many summerhouses along the way.