Two bridges and some oddities

We decided to leave Craster to the many day visitors and head out north. Our main aim was to get to this bridge - The Union Chain Bridge. We had heard about it when we went to a talk about bridges in the North East and felt it would be worth searching out - it was. It is an amazing structure over the River Tweed, just a few miles from Berwick-upon-Tweed. On one side it is England and on the other Scotland. It was designed by Captain Samuel Brown using his patented wrought iron chains, originally designed for use on ships to replace the ropes that were prone to snapping. Opened in 1820, it is the world’s oldest suspension bridge that can still be used by vehicles (only one at a time!). 

On our way to the Union Bridge we stopped at Twizell Bridge (see extra) a beautiful medieval bridge spanning the River Till. One of its distinctive features is the reinforcement by chamfered ribs. It was made famous in 1513 when it was used by English soldiers in their out-flanking the Scots forces before the battle of Flodden.

We also:

Found (in a garden, which appeared to be a place where caravans go to die) Percy’s Cross - erected in memory of Sir Ralph, son of the Earl of Northumberland, who was killed in 1464 in a small battle during the War of the Roses.

A chimney, all that remains of coal mine workings, and now in the middle of a nature reserve - Ford Moss.

Had tea at the lovely Lavender Cafe in Etal, before we made a return visit to Etal Castle, which was a fortified tower house that was turned into a castle during wars with the Scots.

Can you tell I bought a little book in Alnwick all about some quirky little things dotted around Northumberland!!