Discover: Linhope Spout

One of the big three valleys in the English Cheviots, the Breamish Valley is quite different from the U-shaped Harthope and College Valleys in that the shallow River Breamish takes a more gentle and meandering path through the hills on its eastern course. Rather than having a tunnel vista, this valley feels like an amphitheatre of rolling hills, and the abundance of sheltered grassy haugh land beside the river makes it a popular place to picnic. The area has a rich history of cultivation spanning thousands of years, and a journey through the valley reveals glimpses of ancient terraced fields etched into the scree-covered peaks. Many of the hilltops bear the remnants of prehistoric forts and burial cairns built over 2,300 years ago.

Beyond its storied past, the valley’s foremost allure is an exquisite waterfall, concealed within a secluded wooded ravine. A picturesque walk of approximately one mile from the hamlet of Linhope unveils this natural wonder, involving a brief ascent and descent at either end. Follow the farm track along the edge of a stand of conifers, then take a well-trodden path hugging the hillside and down into the heart of the ravine where Linhope Spout plunges 60 feet down a near-vertical rock face into a dark frothy pool below.

Local folklore would have you believe that the pool is bottomless; however, reality reveals an impressive depth of five metres, making it a popular destination for wild swimming. Visiting this waterfall in the winter is highly recommended as freezing conditions can result in stalactite-like icicles the size of swords hanging from the rocks.

Photography by @adventure_cal

As featured in This Is Northumberland 2024