The Pennine Way Association

We recently received an email from a Pennine Way walker who was curious about the flagstones on the section between Cross Fell and Great Dun Fell. We passed the question onto Steve Westwood, the Pennine Way National Trail Officer, who provided an insightful and interesting answer that we thought others may be interested to know…

“The stone used had obviously had a previous life: besides obviously not being of the local geology, there were holes cut in it and remnants of what looked like metal railings. I simply wondered if it is known where the stone came from? Who had done the work to flag the path with it?”

Steve Westwood:
The flagging you saw between Cross Fell and Dun Fell is made from flooring flags from demolished textile mills in Lancashire and Yorkshire. The mills had stone floors to help prevent fires. I believe the flags are mainly gritstone – quarried in Lancashire and Yorkshire. The metal bits are where looms etc were fastened to the floor. Most of the flagging up there has been around for 10 to 15 years or more, however we have had problems on that section with lichen growing on the flags and making them slippery when wet. The flags you noticed as being quite recent may well be ones that have been recently turned over and relayed to give a less slippy walking surface.

There have been a couple of enquiries to the Northumbria Branch of the Ramblers Association recently concerning access (or lack of it) in the area at the top of Coquetdale and we would like to put the matter straight. The Pennine Way is a National Trail and apart from national emergencies (such as foot and mouth etc.) it is always open for access. The problem appears to have arisen for those doing the Pennine Way in one-off stages and involving a circular route back to the start of the day’s walk. On certain days access is prevented onto the Otterburn Training area but not the Pennine Way!

If anyone is in doubt as to whether the red flag will be flying, which precludes access, the information can be found on the Otterburn Access page of Northumberland National Park website.