Hartburn Glebe Grotto Woodland Walk
Explore these pretty little woods in the village of Hartburn on this short walk in Northumberland. A river runs through the area with a deep pool reputed to have been used to hide silver and valuables during Viking Raids. Look out for wildlife including red squirrels, badgers and otters and various interesting plants and flowers. There's also a splendid Grade ll listed grotto near the river. It was created in the 18th century as a changing area for ladies wishing to bathe in the Hart Burn.
Hartburn Glebe is situated about 6 miles (10 km) to the west of Morpeth.
To continue your walking in the area you could visit Wallington Hall. There's some lovely walks here in the grounds of a country house with lakes, woodland, parkland and a beautiful walled garden.
Postcode
NE61 4JB - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsHartburn Glebe Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Hartburn Glebe Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Hartburn Glebe OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Hartburn Glebe Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Head a couple of miles west and you could enjoy some post walk refreshment at the Ox Inn in Middleton. The Stone built country pub serves a fine Sunday lunch and can be found at postcode NE61 4QZ for your sat navs. There's also a roaring fire and a good selection of real ales. The inn is dog friendly.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Footbridge at Hartburn. An elaborate 18th Century bridge on the footpath leading to the nearby grotto
Location of Hartburn Grotto. The grotto is cut into the sandstone cliff on the right. The steps lead down into the cave entrance and the tunnel that leads back towards the river bank, below the path.
Dr Sharpe was vicar of Hartburn from 1749-92 and it was he who carved the grotto out of the sandstone cliff. The internal gothick arch which divides the larger outer chamber from the dark inner one reflects that in the footbridge at the southern end of the walk down to the grotto. This too, along with Tower House, were also built by Dr Sharpe. The two niches above the grotto entrance used to house statues of Adam and Eve. The tunnel is 15m long, roofed with large slabs (over which the path runs) but is now a crawl. It is said to have allowed discrete access for bathers from the cave to the river.
Bridge over stream
Tower House. The 18th-century Vicar of Hartburn (Dr John Sharpe) also built the crenellated Tower House that overlooks Hartburn Glebe. It was built as a village school, accommodation for the schoolmaster, and as a stable for the parish hearse in 1745. The north face of the house is built in an 18th-century Gothic style whilst the south face, with its stairs up the outside, resembles a large Northumbrian bastle house.
St Andrew's Church, Hartburn. When the vestry was repaired of dry rot in 1966, a line of skeletons was found buried just beneath the floor. They were dated between 966 and 1166 AD. The church is a Grade I listed building with Norman architecture and some medieval alterations. Marks perhaps carved into the doorpost by the Knights Templar, who may have used the church in the 13th Century, are still visible.
The Hart Burn at Hartburn
Hartburn Bridge