Extend your visit to Northumberlandia (the world’s largest human landform sculpture) by walking a circuit to the north of the site. Ramble through an area that was previously used for opencast mining and that has now been reverted to fields. There are plenty of birds about and so bring your binoculars. The walk offers interesting views of the Northumberlandia sculpture.
Click on the above map for an interactive map of the route.
The Trails Map (dropdown, top right) is the best free map for displaying footpaths and topography. Expand to full screen (cross arrows, top right) to see route detail. Ordnance Survey maps can be used with a small subscription to Plotaroute.
Clicking on the above map gives access to various downloads (e.g. GPX and PDF).
Date: 09/02/2025
Length: 3.192 miles
Height Gain: 25 m
Terrain: Stone tracks, tarmac.
Navigation: Map required. The signage is good.
Start: Northumberlandia carpark (free)
Route: Northumberlandia Carpark, Northumberlandia, Shotton South Farm, Cramlington, Northumberlandia
Map: OS316 Newcastle Upon Tyne
Weather: Grey
Walkers: Nun
Northumberlandia Art
Starting The Circuit
The Opencast Mine Had Disappeared
I walked along a wide track that headed westwards towards the noisy A1. I’d guess that a lot of the surrounding area had previously been subject to opencast mining and had now been returned to fields. The fields that I passed looked more scrubland than agricultural. I reached a couple of small lakes. I wasn’t totally sure whether these were temporary, due to the recent rain, or intentional features. The track was muddy and I wished I’d put my gaiters on. There were quite a few birds about, but it was gloomy and they were too far away for me to identify them. I recognised some Oystercatchers though that were feeding at one of the flooded areas. The track approached the A1 and then diverted away in the direction of where I’d seen the mine works in 2019. It seemed weird to see that scene of opencast devastation converted to fields. I couldn’t see any evidence of any part of the mine being there. The map indicated that the buildings I could see were chemical industrial units. Nothing to see here. I headed back southwards towards Northumberlandia along a stone track.
Jet Coming Into Land
Redundant Tarmac Road Near Northumberlandia
I saw a small murmuration of birds, but they were too far away to see what they were. During my approach to Northumberlandia, I saw a couple of passenger jets travelling east to west to land at Newcastle airport. The jets were low and appeared to fly along Northumberlandia’s human features. It seemed rather surreal. I reached a tarmac road that ran parallel to Northumbalandia’s body. It looked like it must have been a public road at some time, since there were 20mph speed signs painted on the tarmac. Maybe it had just been used by the mining company. Cramlington airfield used to be in the area between here and the industrial units to the north. I followed the tarmac road to its eastern end and then made my way back to the Northumberlandia sculpture area.
It had taken me about 90 minutes to do the full circuit and I popped back into the café for a caffeine top-up. Northumbalandia sculpture park was definitely worth a visit. Given the number of people I met walking around the place, it is popular too. It’s certainly a curiosity. To be honest, apart from the exercise, my route around the surrounding area didn’t offer that much extra. Admittedly I had caught it on a grey, dull day. At least it didn’t rain…will I be so lucky over the next 5 days on my Northumbrian campaign?
Northumberlandia Arts