Phoenix Walking Club

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Phoenix Walking Club

The Phoenix Walking Club, based in North Tyneside, is very active, with a walk day each week.

We meet most* Wednesday mornings between 10:30 - 11:30 in the community room situated on the first floor of North Shields Central Library. We always welcome new members and encourage anyone who may be interested to visit us when we are at the library, check out our website, or send us a message / email. (* We do not meet on the Wednesdays when we are out walking - check the pinned list at the top of this page.)

31/05/2026

A good number of walkers were out on Friday 29th where the club's destination was the picturesque Co. Durham town - Barnard Castle. The weather was perfect: factor 50 sunshine, and black threatening clouds which came to nothing.
After a couple of weeks of other commitments, it was good join Graham's group for his circular walk around the town and River Tees.
Starting with a meander through the town and grounds of Bowes Museum, followed by a coffee stop in the shadow of the imposing castle wall we then followed the river northwards upstream. Our lunch stop was in the equally picturesque village of Cotherstone before crossing the river for the return walk back to Barnard Castle.

14/05/2026

Whilst I was unable to be out on Tuesday (12th) due to other commitments , I thank Graham Mowl for the description below and attached photos.

"Seven brave volunteers joined Graham for a challenging climb of the iconic Helm Crag. Following in the footsteps of Wainwright and Wordsworth we embarked on this ‘exhilarating little climb’ (1000ft of ascent in 1 mile!) with some feelings of trepidation. After the initial 300ft of relentlessly steep stone steps, the path levelled out (a bit) and gradually wound its way less arduously around the fell, providing several welcome spots to pause and admire the view and reflect on our progress/state of fitness. It took us an hour and a half to traverse our way slowly to the top. Every time we stopped to take off waterproofs and layers another dark cloud seemed to appear from behind the hills to deliver another short sharp blustery shower.
The rewards at the top though were well worth our efforts; the clear weather giving us breathtaking views over Grasmere and the surrounding fells. After locating ‘the lion’, ‘the lamb’ and ‘the Howitzer’ rock formations we began our descent.
The route down was reassuringly shorter but unsettlingly steeper than the way up but we negotiated with care and without any slips or falls. Once down we commended ourselves on the completion of our ‘brief essay in real mountaineering’ (Wainwright) and enjoyed a leisurely lunch by a babbling brook before sauntering down into Grasmere to visit Wordsworth’s grave and gorge on ginger bread.

We finished our walk with a relatively gentle stroll around the lake Grasmere, admiring our morning’s achievements from the south shore and easily covering the remaining 3 miles in less than half the time of the first 3. We all agreed that the 8.5 miles with 1550 ft of assent felt more like 10.5 and so proud of our efforts we duly retired to the sunny beer garden of the Distiller’s Arms for welcome refreshment."

(Sounds amazing Graham!)

09/05/2026

🎼"The Long and Winding Road leads to...?

Reeth.

Which is where we were headed on Wednesday 6th May.
Our group of 7, led by Graham M set off from the village and having crossed the River Swale began a fairly long ascent up towards Harkerside Moor. We then followed much the same elevation passing old mine workings and with views back to Reeth and ahead to Gunnerside and Upper Swaledale.
After lunch we descended down to the river and followed it back towards Reeth crossing by the stepping stones just after Stubbin Farm.
The Black Bull Pub had welcoming fires burning, which whilst not totally necessary are always a delight to watch.

02/05/2026

Short(ish) and to the point...
Thursday 30th April,
Destination: Rothbury
Weather - blue sky, warm, but chilly wind at times.
Leader: Heinrich
Route: sort of anti clockwise northwards from Rothbury taking in views of Cragside, Addyheugh, Primrose Woods, Rothbury WW1 trenches, Physic Lane, Thropton village and Tosson Lime Kiln and Tower.
Thanks to Hein and those in the group for the blether.

25/04/2026

Friday 24th April 2026

Weather forecast = perfect (according to the BBC.)
Destination = perfect (good enough for St Aidan.)
Two Coaches = perfect (preferred choice of members.)
Over 80 walkers = perfect (preferred choice of the £££ committee!)
Almost flat for most walks = perfect (well for this walker!)
Walks of all lengths from 7 up to 14 miles = perfect (for all!)
Underfoot conditions = different! (for some!!??)

So where did we go? = Holy Island

With most drop offs on or near Belford / A1 our journeys towards Lindisfarne began in near perfect weather conditions: though we had all noticed the bank of fog / mist / fret hanging over the coastline - fingers crossed the sun would burn it off. Our group of 14 (jointly led by Hein & Jason) headed eastwards reaching he coastline - which so resembled the edge of the world with the fret hanging over the mud flats. Then, northwards towards the causeway walking through the grim reminder of the anti-tank blocks constructed in the 1940s.
Then, after lunch, a short walk along the causeway towards the first refuge point where the decision had to be made whether to walk barefoot (like the pilgrims of old) or keep your boots on - for the next section was to follow the poles on the pilgrims route to the island.
But where were the poles? Sadly the fret constantly rolled around like scenes from a B&W movie from the 50s. The 'Hound of the Baskervilles' sprang to mind! I think most thought the conditions underfoot were better than expected with firm sand under the surface water. Those in bare feet even suggested the water was warm - but the air temperature was, at times, decidedly chilly. And even with less than a hundred yards to go the island was still not visible.
I think a great day / walk was had by all = perfect!

15/04/2026

Our walk on Monday (13th) towards Berwick was a photographers dream - if only I had taken my camera with me instead or relying on my phone - but as always - you win some - you lose some.
Our group were dropped of on the A1167 just south of Spittal beach, which is where (after walking under the East Coast Main Line) we had our coffee stop.
After which we followed the coast line before crossing the River Tweed on the oldest of the three bridges and continuing inland on the north bank of the river. Lunch was taken at The White Wall which is the most prominent remnant of Berwick Castle, the rest of which was cleared to enable the building of the railway station at the northern end of the Royal Tweed Bridge.
We continued along the north bank until we reached the A1 bridge which allowed us to cross the river and our return long the south bank before once more crossing the old Berwick Bridge in order to have a wander along the ramparts before joining the other walkers at the Leaping Salmon for some R&R.
Thanks to Hein for planning and leading the walk, click on individual photos for a bit more info.

04/04/2026

Always a popular walking destination, one of our two coaches was full to capacity for the walk to Helmsley on Wednesday April 1st. Thankfully no April Fool pranks were encountered along the way.
The drop off for Hein's group was at Tup Hag wood on the B1257. A leisurely pace allowed both old and new members to accomplish the nine mile walk.
Many groups passed each other as most eventually ended up at Rievaulx Abbey before joining the Cleveland Way with its ups and downs leading to our final destination.
No rain, less mud, good conversation, pleasant company, good walking - a perfect day out.
(As always click on each photo for more info.)

23/01/2026

Fellow walkers and others who follow this page. Do you ever question your own sanity - like why, on earth am I doing this? And I'm not talking about reading (or writing) this page. I'm talking about out walking in -my words - the Northumberland Wilderness!

Oh to be sure as a club - we ask members not to be 'fair weather walkers' / 'not to book at the last minute' / not to use the weather app forecast as a decision maker. But...
Thankfully the weather on Wednesday 21st January was better than predicted, (well until the afternoon) and it is good to explore new(ish) walking areas / destinations. But...

Our drop off, was just west of Knowesgate on the A696. we then continued via Hawick Woods and then between the two Sweethope Loughs. There is, we all agreed, the need from the land-owner, of better signage to help future walkers, not only from our club, but all others, to avoid walking through private land. But, on this occasion, we were allowed to continue on our way. without acrimony.

At our lunch spot, described on OS maps as a waterfall, (see photograph!!) the weather began to worsen, it was (bitterly) cold with a biting wind. Throughout the day, so ably led by Heinrich, the terrain was wet, muddy and boggy - constantly watching where you planted your feet. (Good King Wenceslas sprang to mind but without the snow.)
After the ancient bridge named 'East Woodburn Bridge and an ascent we arrived at our final destination of West Woodburn and the Bay Horse Inn.
Yes we all did the questioning mentioned earlier, but do we regret our decision to walk - NEVER. Bring on the next walk!
It was a dull day for photos - but here are the best...

17/01/2026

Is spring just around the corner? Okay, probably not, but our walkers out last Thursday enjoyed a day of blue sky, beautiful scenery, warm enough weather and of course, great walking.
Our group of sixteen were dropped off in the vicinity of Langley Castle . We began in a westerly direction eventually passing through Sillywrea farm which still uses Clydesdale Horses to help with heavy work. The horses provided a great photo opportunity as did the incredibly friendly sheep dog.
After the climb up to Harsondale Law; where we had our coffee stop, we proceeded downhill towards the River Allen. Lunch was at Plankey Mill after which we continued to follow the paths on the eastern bank walking in a northerly direction. At Ridley Hall we turned eastwards, passing through the postcard village of Beltingham before crossing the River South Tyne and reaching our final destination of Bardon Mill and the very welcoming, 'The Bowes Hotel.' Thanks to Graham M for leading and the entertaining conversations along the way.

Address

North Shields Central Library, Northumberland Square
North Shields
NE301QU

Opening Hours

10:30am - 11:30am

Website

https://phoenixwalkingclub.org/

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