Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
4.5
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Geologic Formations
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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.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
100 reviews
Excellent
53
Very good
37
Average
8
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Chris M
Wetherby, UK1,195 contributions
Jul 2021
We were staying in the area and decided to visit this "attraction". It is free to enter, but if arriving by car there is a (reasonable) charge to park. Using the postcode on our "sat-nav" did not reach the exact location, although combining with a map did so. Our visit was during a period of hot weather so we arrived relatively early, before the main heat of the day, and to avoid too many people. There are a number of paths and routes shown on a board at the entrance and we selected an anti-clockwise walk along one side of the river to a footbridge and returning on the opposite side. The path is mainly well marked and there is information indicating alternatives to damaged sections in places. After crossing the bridge in our direction of travel, the return path direction is not immediately clear. There was a need to leave the river for a short distance up a lane and then return towards the river following arrows. The path is uneven and rough in some places with some steps, but overall it represents a very good country walk. The area is well worth a visit, particularly in good weather, although perhaps not ideal for those unfortunate to have limited mobility.
Written July 31, 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.
Sophos70p
London, UK31 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Delightful walk on robust paths. Up and down but no boots required. Walk to Staward Peel was worth it but not for tower itself where views were obscured by trees. Extra walk is however worth it for secluded river gorge with great views and stunning geology.
Written September 5, 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.
Gizmoid
York, UK32 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Walked from the NT car park (£2 for 4 hours or £4 all day) to Plankey Mill - approx 3 mile round trip (not suitable for pushchairs). Crossed over the bridge at Plankey Mill and back the other side. Plenty to keep my 9 and 11 year olds interested, including lots of wildlife. The river path has slipped away at one point but the detour is clearly marked. The path can be steep at points and I would keep tightly hold of younger children as some of the slopes are incredibly steep. There is a little beach where it is possible to paddle and skim stones. Lovely place.
Written July 28, 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.
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, UK108 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.
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.
Dilly4472
Spilsby, UK804 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.
Phil25
Hampshire, UK512 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.
Tinkerbelle
Chester-le-Street, UK283 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.
wallsender
Tyneside17 contributions
Sep 2018 • Family
First visit to Allen Banks for a couple of years - and nothing has changed. There is no suspension bridge, nor any sign of any plans for one. The walk on the west bank is still closed, with no sign of any progress being made. You won't find any news online regarding progress either; the blog was last updated a year ago. The only thing which is bang up to date is the car park ticket machine.
Has the National Trust given up on Allen Banks like it has on Stephenson's Cottage? Does it see the future only in mass audience, paid-for fun factories like Gibside, Wallington and Cragside? Are local National Trust Members getting value for money? There may be legitimate answers to these questions, but at a time when communications have never been easier, the online and on-site silence is odd.
Has the National Trust given up on Allen Banks like it has on Stephenson's Cottage? Does it see the future only in mass audience, paid-for fun factories like Gibside, Wallington and Cragside? Are local National Trust Members getting value for money? There may be legitimate answers to these questions, but at a time when communications have never been easier, the online and on-site silence is odd.
Written September 30, 2018
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.
Aldridge P
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK80 contributions
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.
How much is it per night . And are u aloud a fire
Phil25
Hampshire, UK512 contributions
Errr it's not a campsite - it's a walk from a carpark...
How far is it to walk from Allen Banks to Carts Bog Inn please?😊
Phil25
Hampshire, UK512 contributions
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
Tinkerbelle
Chester-le-Street, UK283 contributions
Is plankey mill open and their toilet facilities 28/5/20
Tinkerbelle
Chester-le-Street, UK283 contributions
Yes to both
Chloe H
2 contributions
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)?
AllenBanks
Bardon Mill, UK
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.
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
AllenBanks
Bardon Mill, UK
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.
Mark B
South Shields, UK161 contributions
Are there decent paths along here ? I’m wanting to go with my family which will mean taking a pram ?
Jack R
Exeter, UK551 contributions
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.
Mani T
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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?
AllenBanks
Bardon Mill, UK
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
Joe c
1 contribution
Hi, I'm interested in visiting Allen banks but I'm curious if it is all now open again and ok to visit? I saw th extent of the damage earlier this year and am curious if it is now safe to come :)
Thanks.
Shark6766
Lincolnshire, UK92 contributions
It is partially open according to the National Trust website. Three of the paths are still closed due to land movements. I checked it out earlier as I am planning to visit in the near future.
Allen Banks and Staward Gorge (Bardon Mill) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
- Allen Banks and Staward Gorge is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- Hotels near Allen Banks and Staward Gorge:
- (0.00 mi) Strand Cottage Bed and Breakfast
- (0.61 mi) The Bowes Hotel
- (1.51 mi) Hunter Crook Lodge
- (1.58 mi) Henshaw Barn B & B
- (0.51 mi) Coach House Holidays
- Restaurants near Allen Banks and Staward Gorge:
- (0.61 mi) Bardon Mill Village Store and Tea Room
- (0.61 mi) The Bowes Hotel
- (3.15 mi) Carts Bog Inn
- (9.30 mi) Zyka Boutique Restaurant
- (8.33 mi) Hjem