Route Changes
Permanent
Since St Oswald’s Way opened, there have been a number of changes to the route. These are not shown in the Official Guidebook or on the Maps for Walkers. The changes are shown below, with a replacement part of the map and a new route description for those using the guidebook.
Section 1 (Bamburgh; see page 37 of guidebook.)
19. On reaching the houses, continue along the road into the centre of Bamburgh.
Section 2 (Just to the north of Beadnell; see page 45 of guidebook.)
5. Continue along the roadside path until the edge of Beadnell. Leave the main road as it bends to the right and go straight on, heading towards the village.
Section 4 (Weldon Bridge; see pages 84-85 of guidebook.)
11. Pass the buildings and follow the driveway as it bends around to the right. Before the end of the driveway, bear left on a path. Follow the path under the main road and along the River Coquet, eventually reaching a road by the Anglers Arms at Weldon Bridge.
12. Turn left along the road, then bear left, crossing the bridge over the river. After 100 yards, turn right on a footpath through a riverside woodland. After crossing a footbridge …. (continue as described in the guidebook.)
Section 6 (Just to the south of Great Whittington; see pages 120-121 of guidebook.)
13. Cross the boundary at the old windmill and cross the field to reach a footbridge. After the footbridge, turn left along the edge of the field. Turn right at the corner, again following the edge of the field until reaching a gate at the far end.
14. Go straight on up to the top of the hill and head for a gate in the fence in front of you. Go through the gate and bear right, down to a small gate in the far corner of the field.
Upcoming
Sections 1 to 3
There will be several alterations to the route of St Oswald’s Way because of the creation of a new National Trail, the England Coast Path (ECP). The ECP will create new rights of access closer to the sea in many places.
To avoid the confusion of having parallel walking routes on different paths, St Oswald’s Way and the Northumberland Coast Path will be moved, where appropriate, to run along the new path.
Work has now started on the physical creation and signage of the ECP north of Warkworth, and the work will extend further north during 2022 and 2023.
The original route of St Oswald’s Way will be available to use for the foreseeable future, and the new route is also available where signed. St Oswald’s Way will follow the ECP from Seahouses to Warkworth and this part of the route is now open.
We expect to publish a new Official Guidebook in 2023, showing the new route.
For details of the route of the ECP, see the following websites:
England Coast Path: Amble to Bamburgh
England Coast Path Bamburgh to the Scottish Border (including Holy Island) Stretch Report 2
Temporary
Section 1 (Fenham; see pages 4-5 of guidebook.)
The footpath level crossing of the East Coast Main Line at Fenham Hill has been closed for safety reasons until further notice. There are two alternative routes (blue line and 227/027) suggested below, adding 1.1km – 1.6km to the existing route. Please click on the image below for a larger version of the route change.
Section 5 (Harwood Forest; see pages 100-3 of guidebook.)
Harwood Forest was very badly affected by Storm Arwen and St Oswald’s Way is likely to be blocked until late 2022. There is a waymarked diversion in place, as shown on the map below, which adds 1.7km (just over a mile) to the route.
Click the map to enlarge the route change
Section 6 (Heavenfield; see pages 124-5 of guidebook.)
Following the devastating winter storms, we have a considerable amount of tree damage in Stanley Plantation. The existing route is currently impassable and unsafe for visitors and we have been working closely with the landowner and Northumberland County Council to put in place a suitable diversion from April 1st.
Please follow the diversion signage.
More information available here