Ridsdale, Northumberland

Today was the first time we had a walk around this small rural village. Once it provided industrial quantities of iron for the Tyne bridge. Nowadays the industries are forestry, sheep farming and a very small amount of tourism. After meeting several friendly dog owners we retreated from the biting wind into the Gun. This pub was saved from closure by the village community. It has been refurbished and made in to a warm and inviting haven which is run by local people. Forestry is an important industry and the 44-tonne log wagon can be seen taking a rest in a lay-by on the nearby A68. In the distance is The Cheviot, still covered in snow. In the third picture do you see a castle? In fact it is the engine room for the now disappeared ironworks. This is a scheduled monument on the ‘at risk’ register. We had a lovely morning here and will be back.