St Cuthbert's Cave and Greensheen Hill
Northumberland
St Cuthbert's Cave is a large sandstone overhang in the Kyloe Hills west of Belford, cared for by the National Trust. Sheep graze the return leg and the open hillside, so plan on a lead for much of this walk, though the pinewood around the cave suits a dog off the lead. Tradition holds that the monks who carried St Cuthbert's body away from Lindisfarne to escape Viking raids in the 9th century rested here on a journey that ended at Chester-le-Street and finally Durham Cathedral. This 4.8km circuit from the free car park at Holburn Grange visits the cave in its pinewood and climbs 205 metre Greensheen Hill for views to Holy Island, Bamburgh and the Cheviot Hills above Holburn Lake, a Ramsar wetland. It returns through sheep fields beside the Poplar Burn and along a quiet lane. There is about 122 metres of climbing on grassy footpaths, bridleways and hill tracks, boggy and overgrown in places.
This dog friendly walk is short enough for most dogs and full of interest, with the woodland around the cave the best place for a sniff about. It is sheep country, though, and the return crosses grazed fields, so plan on a lead for much of the way and keep dogs close on the open hill too. The Poplar Burn gives water on the way back, but there is little on the high ground and not much shade outside the trees around the cave. The car park is free and small, with no toilets or cafe, so come prepared.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.8 km (3.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 45 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Moorland, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- None on route; no toilets at the car park. Shops and pubs in Belford.
- Parking
- Small free National Trust car park at Holburn Grange farm.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to St Cuthbert's Cave and Greensheen Hill, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in NorthumberlandFrequently Asked Questions
Is St Cuthbert's Cave and Greensheen Hill dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The walk is short, varied and interesting, with pinewood around the cave, open hilltop and a burn to drink from on the way back. The score reflects the sheep, which graze the fields on the return and the surrounding hillside, so dogs spend a good part of this walk on a lead.
Can dogs be off lead at St Cuthbert's Cave and Greensheen Hill?
Only in limited places. The woodland around the cave is the best spot for a little freedom if no livestock is about, but the route returns through fields grazed by sheep and the open hill is farmed too. With a dog that chases, it is simplest to keep the lead on for the whole circuit and let them explore the woods on a long line.
What should I know before visiting St Cuthbert's Cave and Greensheen Hill with my dog?
The car park at Holburn Grange is free but small and has no toilets, and there is no cafe on the route, so bring water and poo bags. Paths can be boggy and overgrown, and the last stretch follows a quiet farm lane. Holburn Lake is a protected wetland for wintering birds, so keep dogs well away from its margins.
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