Summer Weekend in the Shadow of the Cheviot

This event originally scheduled for 20th March 2020, then 2nd October 2020, and then 19th March 2021, will now take place on 13th August 2021.

Sandwiched between the Cheviot and the Scottish border, this hostel is a get-away-from-it-all weekend. We will be 5 miles from the nearest public road, in a Dark Skies Park, with sheep, cattle and deer roaming freely on the beautifully rounded Northumberland hills. This event in a dark skies area should now also coincide nicely with the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower.

We will start with the usual OutdoorLads buffet after gathering on Friday night, welcome and information from the leader.

Saturday, after breakfast, provides us with an opportunity to explore the hills. The Cheviot is so close, but so are lots of other hills and interesting features, from glacial valleys and gorges to WW2 plane crash wreckages. Some of the names of hills are so intriguing, such as Bloodybush Edge and Windy Gyle. The border fence with Scotland is barely half a mile from the hostel - we may well straddle the border on a walk! One of the most amazing features in the area is the dramatic Hen Hole, a steep sided ravine with cascades of waterfalls, created as the ice retreated after the last ice age. The choice of walks will depend on the availability of leaders and, of course, the weather. But the opportunities are endless.

Hearty food on Saturday evening will be provided. Then, if skies are clear, we will get a stunning display of stars, being so far from towns and light pollution.

There will be at least one option for a shorter walk on Sunday, once we've tidied and cleaned the hostel, before we head for a pub lunch, maybe at the Tankerville Arms on the edge of Wooler, and then our journeys home.

OutdoorLads has now visited this location on several occasions. Most people can't wait to get back. Nestled at the head of the stunningly beautiful College Valley in North Northumberland, the bunkhouse is truly remote. The Bunkhouse sleeps 24 in dorms, clean bedding is supplied. There is a well-equipped kitchen and living area with log burning stove (logs provided). 

Dogs: this is a dog-friendly weekend but the limit is 4 dogs. There is no extra charge, but the following is important. Dogs have to be kept off furniture and beds and because there are many wild animals and ground-nesting birds around, they must be under close control when out and about. If you would like to bring a dog, let the Leader know and the first 4 well-behaved dogs and owners can come!! If you are afraid of, or allergic to, dogs, this event is not for you. Sorry.

All photos courtesy of me, Rob

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statement in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.

COVID-19 – IMPORTANT, Please read the following before you sign up to this event:

• Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who lives or is in a support bubble with someone showing symptoms, is asked not to attend. This is in line with the government’s coronavirus advice.
• You must also immediately self-isolate and not attend the event if you or someone in your household or support bubble shows coronavirus symptoms or tests positive. You can find the NHS self-isolation guidance here.
• OutdoorLads’ Covid-19 Policy for hostel and BIG events applies to this event. On arrival, we will need to see evidence that you are fully vaccinated, or have registered a negative lateral flow test in the last 48 hours, or have Covid-19 antibodies. Evidence of this can be obtained via the NHS App in England, with equivalent schemes available in Wales and Scotland. Our full policy and more details can be found here.