Prudhoe
History/Introduction
Prudhoe is balanced on the steep southern slopes of the Tyne Valley. Since Prudhoe Castle was built in the 12th century on a cape overlooking the river, the town has grown in importance around it. Prudhoe was once a coal-mining town. Today, industry plays a major part in Prudhoe's economy.
Walk in the shade of the castle through the Tyne Riverside Country Park. This follows the river's edge and a former railway line across a bridge which might be familiar to residents of Sydney and Newcastle.
The Park in Low Prudhoe lies on the southern bank of the Tyne and includes the artificial chalk hills known as the "Spetchells" which have attracted some natural chalk-loving flora and fauna not normally found in the region.
A public bridleway runs to Hagg Bank, over the Points Bridge to Wylam. Now forming a traffic-free part of National Cycle Network Route 72, it runs on the bed of a disused railway line to Newburn, Tyne and Wear, and on to Newcastle.
The Tyne Riverside Country Park will be home to the TYNE SALMON TRAIL from the 1st May, receiving visits from the different cubes throughout the months of Spring.
Transport
Prudhoe can be reached from Newcastle upon Tyne, the closest city, by rail, and by road via the A695, or from the A69 Carlisle-Newcastle trunk road, via Wylam or Ovington, crossing the river Tyne.
The town is served by Prudhoe railway station, and has direct bus links to Newcastle, Hexham and the MetroCentre.
