Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Gorge of the River Allen with ornamental and ancient woodland Take a walk on the wild side at Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, one of the largest areas of ancient woodland in Northumberland. This extensive area of gorge and river scenery, including the 41-hectare (101-acre) Stawardpeel Site of Special Scientific Interest, has miles of waymarked walks through ornamental and ancient woods. Largely created by Susan Davidson, Allen Banks has become a fantastic home for flora, fauna and fungi. It is also well known for its carpet of bluebells and ramsons, commonly known as wild garlic, which covers the woodland floor in spring and early summer. Look out for the remains of a medieval pele tower and a reconstructed Victorian summer-house - and with over 70 species of birds spotted at Allen Banks as well as a wide range of wildlife you are never alone. All of the woodland area sits within the North Pennines AONB.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
107 reviews
Excellent
59
Very good
38
Average
8
Poor
2
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0
thelittlesprite
Atworth, UK65 contributions
Jun 2021
We had a free afternoon while staying in the area and as it was sunny we ended up here.We were met with a sign stating that the toilets were closed because of covid. Also we noticed there was a sizeable, active nest of wasps in the corner of the toilet building. Car park £2.
You have to be sure footed with stout shoes for this walk, as the paths inclined and declined quite steeply in places, was rocky and with tree roots throughout, very narrow and sloping away to the steep bank in other places. This meant you were were looking at the ground most of the time.
Yes the walk was pretty although where the footpaths forked, it was not clear where to go. Also the walk is not varied for quite a while with only trees on one side and the stream at the bottom of the gorge on the other.
You have to be sure footed with stout shoes for this walk, as the paths inclined and declined quite steeply in places, was rocky and with tree roots throughout, very narrow and sloping away to the steep bank in other places. This meant you were were looking at the ground most of the time.
Yes the walk was pretty although where the footpaths forked, it was not clear where to go. Also the walk is not varied for quite a while with only trees on one side and the stream at the bottom of the gorge on the other.
Written June 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew G
Stanley, UK106 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Beautiful scenery, but the access statement given out by the National Trust on their website is whole inaccurate.
It staes “steep steps to the summer house” on the orange route.
No mention of the extremely steep slopes at various places around the route. Or the poor condition of the footpaths.
I understand that it’s a woodland walk. And the paths have been damaged by floods and fallen trees, but the access statement should be updated to explain this. The website states it’s not suitable for wheelchairs…..
I’ll add, it’s not suitable for push chairs, young children, or people with mobility issues, and sturdy walking shoes are required.
Could be improved dramatically with the addition of rails on the steep slopes and steps for people to hold onto to assist mobility and stability.
Also some seats or even just large logs strategically placed near the steepest slopes and steps to allow those with slight poorer mobility to sit and rest and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Good day out for me and child, not such a good day out for my partner with her arthritic knees.
It staes “steep steps to the summer house” on the orange route.
No mention of the extremely steep slopes at various places around the route. Or the poor condition of the footpaths.
I understand that it’s a woodland walk. And the paths have been damaged by floods and fallen trees, but the access statement should be updated to explain this. The website states it’s not suitable for wheelchairs…..
I’ll add, it’s not suitable for push chairs, young children, or people with mobility issues, and sturdy walking shoes are required.
Could be improved dramatically with the addition of rails on the steep slopes and steps for people to hold onto to assist mobility and stability.
Also some seats or even just large logs strategically placed near the steepest slopes and steps to allow those with slight poorer mobility to sit and rest and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Good day out for me and child, not such a good day out for my partner with her arthritic knees.
Written August 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dilly4472
Spilsby, UK901 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
Beautiful walk through this wooded valley and beside river. Very tranquil. Loads of bird song. In a few weeks time I guess the autumn colours will be spectacular. After heavy rain it was quite mucky - go prepared with stout footwear. Sadly some paths and suspension bridge are no longer available due to landslides and fallen trees. However we did a good 3.4 mile circuit from carpark to Plankey Mill on west side of river, returning on east side and crossing back to carpark on the road bridge.
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob D
Seahouses, UK13 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
We visited on a cold, crisp and sunny January day as a diversion away from walking Hadrians Wall. It is not like many NT woodlands that have smooth tarmacadam pathways. We spent several hours clamoring over rutted, rooted tracks alongside a beautiful river running through a steep gorge. Then we climbed up to the remote tarn - just beautiful
Written January 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tinkerbelle
Durham, UK377 contributions
May 2020 • Family
29/5/20 visited today not too busy £2 entry fee. New bridge as the older rickety one has been taken away. Did the circular walk and most people social distancing !!
Take a snack and drink if you’re planning on staying for a bit as the little take away shop no longer there. There is a toilet which wasn’t too bad if you ignore the flaky paint 😀 it was clean enough and had loo roll and free to use at the farmhouse. Lots of people enjoying the sun and a splash in the river, a great day and would return. Not much changed in the last 45 years or so, still a lovely spot.
Take a snack and drink if you’re planning on staying for a bit as the little take away shop no longer there. There is a toilet which wasn’t too bad if you ignore the flaky paint 😀 it was clean enough and had loo roll and free to use at the farmhouse. Lots of people enjoying the sun and a splash in the river, a great day and would return. Not much changed in the last 45 years or so, still a lovely spot.
Written May 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil25
Hampshire, UK564 contributions
Jul 2021
Large car park a reasobable £2 all day - toilets available.
Lots of differnet waymarked walks but we chose the brown one which was 3 miles and went down the valley on the west of the river, crossed over a footbridge at the bottom and them came back on the east side.
Very picturesque, mainly through woods but across a couple of fields on the way back. A few steep bits but mainly quite flat.
A really lovely walk, took us about 1 hour 15 mins.
Lots of differnet waymarked walks but we chose the brown one which was 3 miles and went down the valley on the west of the river, crossed over a footbridge at the bottom and them came back on the east side.
Very picturesque, mainly through woods but across a couple of fields on the way back. A few steep bits but mainly quite flat.
A really lovely walk, took us about 1 hour 15 mins.
Written August 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
W. M. Aslam
Birmingham, UK55 contributions
Jul 2024 • Friends
Allen Banks is a perfect place for fungi to grow, its dark, damp nooks and crannies are home to many species. I don’t know enough about mushrooms so I never pick any let alone try cooking them! I always take my own lunch; there’s plenty of nice spots to enjoy a picnic too, so be sure to take a blanket or sheet along with your food. There are some stunning views to enjoy throughout the walk. I often lie back and watch the clouds float by, something I used to do a lot when I was a young boy.
Written December 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz
Chorley, UK257 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
My Mum and I walked the 3miles (Brown Trail) on Monday and we thought the walk was stunning. Never been before and couldn’t believe what a gem we’d found.
Plenty of parking, you have to pay on your phone as wasn’t working to take money, toilets at the car park.
The walk was well sign posted, really easy to follow. A few slight inclines but nothing major.
So peaceful, beautiful and definitely worth a visit
Plenty of parking, you have to pay on your phone as wasn’t working to take money, toilets at the car park.
The walk was well sign posted, really easy to follow. A few slight inclines but nothing major.
So peaceful, beautiful and definitely worth a visit
Written June 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele E
10 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Stopped off to walk the dog and found a treasure. Stunningly beautiful gorge walk with the river in full flow. Well maintained paths, car park and toilet block. Sadly only had time for the shorter circular walk - will hopefully back another time to walk the longer ones. Well described and sign posted. Nice touch to have the history in the summer house.
Written November 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel Cruz
Oldham, UK24 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
This was a lovely walk through the autumn colours. Two good strolls along the orange and purple paths. It was a shame the longer paths were closed but I’d checked the website so knew this was the case. I don’t really come to this area but if I return I’ll definitely come back.
Written November 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this far from hexham train station
Written January 18, 2025
My partner can't walk far. Is there anywhere to park with nice scenery nearby, maybe near the river or just anywhere nice that doesn't involve walking more than 5 mins? (mins not miles :))
We will be wanting some fresh air on new year's day.
Written December 29, 2022
How far is it to walk from Allen Banks to Carts Bog Inn please?😊
Written August 12, 2021
We didn't do that walk but I have looked it up on the map for you and if you walk the most direct way (mainly minor roads) it's 3.6 miles but of you go via the river paths it would be closer to 5 miles
Written August 31, 2021
How much is the parking? Do you have to pay separately to go for walks in and around?
Written July 19, 2020
To answer my own question for future people asking. Parking is £2 for 4 hours or £4 all day. It’s a pay and display car park
Written July 22, 2020
Is plankey mill open and their toilet facilities 28/5/20
Written May 28, 2020
Can you park near ridley hall and walk to the gorge joining the path at the top of the steep stone steps (this avoiding them)?
Written May 27, 2020
AllenBanks
Bardon Mill, United Kingdom
Hi, There is a footpath that joins from the Beltingham road, however there is no parking available on that road. All of the paths involve steep climbs at some point due to the nature of the site.
Written May 28, 2020
Hi, Tour721781. What would you like to know about this attraction?
Is it open for visitors to park and walk at this time for the weekend coming 16th May
Written May 12, 2020
AllenBanks
Bardon Mill, United Kingdom
Hi there, yes our car park is open. We have limited spaces, so if the car park is full we ask that you come back another time. Please be aware that our toilets will remain closed and bins are not currently provided.
Written May 15, 2020
Are there decent paths along here ? I’m wanting to go with my family which will mean taking a pram ?
Written November 2, 2019
The paths are pretty good but a lot of it is quite steep. I would say that you could get down to the river quiet easily with a pushchair, but not up into the wooded area above.
Written January 7, 2020
Mani T
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
I am planning to visit Allen Banks to take some photo of bluebells . Will you be able to advice when is the best time to visit?
Written April 25, 2018
AllenBanks
Bardon Mill, United Kingdom
Hi, thanks for getting in touch - the bluebells are just starting to flower now, there's some pictures of the spring flowers taken last week on our facebook page - AllenBanksNT
Written May 2, 2018
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