Harbottle, Northumberland
The Drake Stone and Harbottle Walk
route · Heritage walk
Place photograph
7.2
Wildland
2–2.5 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.2A hilltop sandstone boulder, local legends and the ruins of a border castle come together on a circular walk above Harbottle.
The Drake Stone is a striking destination in its own right, but the walk’s appeal comes from the way it connects the hilltop boulder with Harbottle village, castle ruins and wide views across the surrounding countryside. The National Park describes the circular route as moderate.
Dramatic · Atmospheric · Wild
Find your way
Open mapHarbottle, Northumberland
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Follow the circular Harbottle route to the Drake Stone, taking in the surrounding countryside and the village’s historic setting. The National Park describes the walk as moderate; AllTrails lists a 4.5-mile loop taking an estimated 2–2.5 hours, with stiles and kissing gates.
Things to do
Walk the Drake Stone and Harbottle circuit
Take the moderate circular walk promoted by Northumberland National Park, with expansive views over the surrounding countryside.
Check the route details before setting out
Visit the hilltop Drake Stone
See the prominent boulder that gives the walk its name; local writing describes it as a large sandstone boulder.
Include Harbottle Castle
The AllTrails circular route includes the castle ruins as a named highlight. Check the route map and current access details before visiting.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Check route length and duration before setting out
Quick Escape: Walk to the Drake Stone
- 01
Use the Northumberland National Park’s Drake Stone and Harbottle Walk information to plan your route.
- 02
Walk to the prominent Drake Stone and pause to take in the surrounding countryside.
- 03
Check conditions and return by the route you planned.
Half day · About 2–2.5 hours for the AllTrails circular route; allow extra time for stops
Make a Half Day of It: Drake Stone and Harbottle
- 01
Follow the circular route linking the Drake Stone and Harbottle.
- 02
Pause at the hilltop boulder for the surrounding countryside views.
- 03
Include Harbottle village and the castle ruins where the chosen route passes them.
- 04
Expect kissing gates, stiles and potentially muddy sections in wetter months.
Verified history
A Northumberland history blog reports that Harbottle Castle was built between 1157 and 1189 by Odinel de Umfraville on the orders of Henry II, and that the Scots captured it for a time in 1174. The same account says Margaret Tudor stayed there in 1515 and that the castle became redundant after the Union of the Crowns in 1603, later falling into ruin. These historical details are drawn from that supplied secondary source.
Folklore & legend
Local legend, as reported by the supplied Northumberland history blog, associates the Drake Stone with ancient druids and with magical healing powers. These are legends, not verified historical facts.
Hidden details
The stone’s other names — A local account gives several alternative names for the boulder: Dragon’s Stone, Draak’s Stone, Draag’s Stone and Druid’s Stone.
The castle’s royal connection — The supplied history account says Margaret Tudor stayed at Harbottle Castle in 1515 and gave birth there to a daughter also called Margaret.
When to go
· Not established by the supplied sources; check the forecast and route conditions.
AllTrails notes that parts of the route can become muddy during wetter months. The supplied sources do not establish a particular season as best.
Some sections may be muddy in wetter months. Sturdy footwear is recommended by the AllTrails source; check current conditions before setting out.
The route
- ascent
- 751 ft, according to AllTrails
- stiles
- Kissing gates and stiles reported by AllTrails
- surface
- Some sections may be muddy in wetter months; other surface details are not supplied.
- distance
- 4.5 miles, according to AllTrails
- duration
- 2–2.5 hours, according to AllTrails
- difficulty
- Moderate
- route shape
- Loop
- start point
- Harbottle; exact start point not established in the supplied sources
- parking start
- Check before visiting
- The Drake Stone
- Harbottle village
- Harbottle Castle ruins
- Views of the Coquet River and surrounding countryside
Worth pairing with
Harbottle village and castle ruins
The AllTrails route description says the walk passes through Harbottle village and includes views of Harbottle Castle; consider them as part of the same walk rather than assuming separate access arrangements.
What to look for
Look for the prominent sandstone boulder on the hilltop, the remains of Harbottle Castle, and views towards Harbottle and the Coquet River.
The story
Harbottle’s history and the ruins of Harbottle Castle; the Drake Stone also has associated local legends.
Best time to go
Check conditions before visiting; wetter months can make sections muddy.
No specific best time of day is established in the supplied sources. Check the forecast and route conditions before setting out.
How long to spend
2–2.5 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · History lovers
Route at a glance
Duration
2–2.5 hours
Terrain
Hills, Village
Parking / start
Check before visiting
Before you go
Address
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A moderate circular walk promoted by Northumberland National Park. Check current route conditions and access before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports that the car park and entrance are not wheelchair accessible. The route is described as moderate; AllTrails reports kissing gates and stiles.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Coquet River views are mentioned along the route; no water activities or access permission are established.
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around The Drake Stone and Harbottle Walk
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
