Long Stay parking is limited at Rothbury, so please use public transport. If you arrive by car, then enquire at the Northumberland National Park Information Centre at Rothbury about where to park your car. Hotels, B&Bs etc usually allow you to leave your car with them (if you stay with them at the start and end of your walk) – always 'phone to check.
There are bank cash-points along the route at Rothbury, Seahouses and Wooler.
When booking B&B, make sure you ask how far they are (walking distance!) from the 'Overnight Stop' town or village as many postal addresses include the nearest town, which may be several miles away.
Stage One & Stage Four - I have received feedback that some of the paths are overgrown in places between Rothbury and Warkworth (Stage One) and also Bamburgh and Wooler (Stage Four). The wooded riverbank along Waren Burn between Spindlestone and Warenford has also suffered flood damage in places (Stage Four). Always carry OS maps with you in case you need to take a detour.
Stage Five - There are no facilities along the route of Stage Five (Wooler to Alwinton). Please ensure that you take sufficient food, water and provisions with you for this 20.5 mile walk. The route does, however, pass several isolated farmhouses. As this walk heads through remote countryside it is essential to carry OS maps & compass. You may wish to split Stage Five into two seperate walks of approximately 12 miles by staying overnight at Ingram in the Breamish Valley. See Accommodation Guide for details.
Stage Five - The bridleway has been legally diverted to the north around Threestoneburn House. Just before you reach Threestoneburn House at NT 974 205, follow the bridleway skirting to the left (north) of Threestoneburn House to join the track just beyond the house at NT 976 204. This diversion is marked on the ground.
Stage Five - Some people have experienced navigation problems along the path between The Dod (NT 992 197) and Greensidehill Farm (NT 984 197). Navigation between The Dod and Greensidehill Farm is difficult in places due to a number of factors: there are few landmarks, several waymarker-posts have been flattened by livestock and there are lots of confusing sheep-tracks. The route follows the footpath from The Dod southwards to join the bridleway at NT 993 183, which is then followed in a south-westerly direction to reach the road beside Greensidehill Farm.
Stage Six - parts of Harbottle Wood and Holystone Wood (Rockey's Hall to Holystone) have been felled, and the appearance of the woodland has changed significantly. I have been informed (summer 2014) that the path through Harbottle Wood has felled trees across it and it is difficult to follow. An alternative route is to follow the road from Rockey's Hall to Wood Hall and then follow the footpath south to Lady's Well and Holystone. Always carry OS maps with you in case you need to take a detour.
All Overnight Stops have a selection of shops, with the exception of Alwinton. There is an Outdoor Shop at Rothbury.
Why not spend an extra night at Bamburgh for a 'rest day', which will allow you time to explore the coast, visit the Castle or take a boat trip out to the Farne Islands.
If you are relying on a pub for lunchtime food then always phone to check opening times. Some rural pubs close at lunchtimes early in the week.
Closed Pubs - sadly, a number of pubs along this route have either closed or changed their offering. CLOSED: Stags Head at Felton, Masons Arms and Black Bull at Warkworth, Sportsman Hotel at Embleton, Harbour Inn at Seahouses and the Wheatsheaf at Wooler. CHANGED: Saddle Hotel at Alnmouth (B&B), Bluebell Inn at Embleton (B&B) and the Mizen Head at Bamburgh (restaurant). There are still 39 pubs open along this route
