Follow Ollie on some of his favourite walks . . .
Kielder Lakeside Way (South Shore)
A total of 14 miles in length we like to explore the lakeside starting from Leaplish Waterside Park as our children like to combine it with a play in the playpark. There is also the option to take a ferry ride (seasonal). Herons and buzzards are a common sight on this walk.
Sid Wood
A 14-minute drive from Brown Rigg, Sid Wood is just 2 miles after the village of Greenhaugh. The trail is 1 mile long and meanders through a conifer forest and along the pretty Tarset Burn and through the old Sidwood House Estate. There are picnic tables and benches along the route, with views of farmsteads peaking through the trees. This is also prime red squirrel spotting territory.
Hareshaw Linn
A beautiful 3-mile return walk that climbs up steps, over cobbled paths, through ancient woodland, crossing six wooden bridges, eventually leading to a 9-metre-high waterfall. The route is dotted with lots of benches along the way to admire the scenery or to stop for a picnic. Look out for bluebells, wild honeysuckle, rare ferns, red squirrels, wagtails, wood warblers and spotted flycatchers.
Pundershaw (Wark Forest)
A 5-minute drive from Brown Rigg, Pundershaw is a popular walk along paths in dense forest. You will see deer in abundance, especially at dusk and buzzards circling overhead. If you have children with you they will enjoy exploring the streams and ditches looking for frog spawn and newts.