Thread by @MarekBidwell

ALLEN BANKS WALK (with a twist) - 5 miles:
If you're planning a walk to #AllenBanks in Northumberland this autumn, I would recommend this walk variation that takes in Morralee Tarn and Morralee Fell for superb views of the Tyne Valley.
See 🧵for details /1

Park in the NT car park, and walk back to the road. Turn right, cross the river on the road bridge & take the gate on the left, which doubles back under the bridge & follows the east bank of the river. Don't forget to admire the magnificent beech tree in the car park. /2

Soon, you will enter the wood. Look out for signs to the 'Tarn' on your left and follow a steep zig-zag path up through the pine trees. /3

After exactly 1 mile, you will reach Morralee Tarn, which was dug out as a boating lake by Victorians but is now fringed with vegetation and home to lily pads. At the far end of the tarn is a welcome bench. /4

At this point, most people retrace their steps or loop around to the left or take a lower path back to the car park. However, there is another wider track that continues east, marked with a red arrow on this map. /5

Just before a gate, I noticed this intriguing sign for the John Martin trail. Anyone from Newcastle will know that JM painted the epic landscape in the @LaingArtGallery of a bard high on a rock set in Wales, but he was born here at Haydon Bridge. /6

Through the gate is a lovely wide path with sweeping views across the river Tyne and up to Hadrian's Wall. It's worth doing the walk for this short section of path alone! It is not marked as a public footpath on the OS map, but clearly, permission is granted. /7

At the minor road, turn right (southeast) and climb the hill up to Morralee Fell. This road wasn't busy, and the views are superb, looking towards Haydon Bridge. After half a mile, turn right toward a telecommunications mast. /8

Here we are, walking into a stiff wind. Suddenly, a rainbow appeared over Hadrian's Wall to our right. /9

A tiny caterpillar crossing road! /10

At the next junction, turn right, following signs for Plankey Mill. This is the highest point of the walk at 223 meters (731 ft) - you have climbed quite a way from the car park. As I said, 'Allen Banks with a twist'. I would love to do this walk in the snow for the views. /11

The minor road drops down steeply into Allendale, and if you time it right, this would be the best spot to catch panoramic autumn colours. We were a week or two early. /12

More wildlife: a luminous yellow and black caterpillar with spines and red tail. Wow. Full marks for fancy dress. Ten points for the species of moth... /13

At the bottom of the hill, you reach the familiar Plankey Mill campsite with a footbridge over the River Allen. Cross the bridge and turn right (south) back towards the car park along the regular path. /14

View of the river from the bridge. /15

About half a mile from the bridge, you reach a bend in the river where it is deep enough for a swim if you fancy it. Or perhaps just take a photo. /16

The path climbs up to the left side of the gorge, and just before the car park, you get a glimpse of Ridley Hall with moorland behind. Apparently (wiki), the hall is the boarding wing of Haydon Bridge High School, one of only a few state boarding schools. /17

And then you are back to the NT car park and the magnificent beech tree.
So, that was my 5-mile 'Allen Banks with a twist' walk. Let me know if you enjoy it :)
Route on OS Maps at: explore.osmaps.com/modify-route/1…
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