Skip to content

Haltwhistle Fieldtrip

31 August 2021

Please read all of the below information including the COVID information before registering for this event.

We meet by the car park in Cawfields Quarry.

Aim: This field excursion is the next opportunity to see what the rocks that were used to make Hadrian’s Wall look like in their original pre-Roman setting. It also provides an opportunity to explore the way in which quarrying has been carried out. Across much of the length of the Wall the rocks are obscured by glacial material, soil and buildings, particularly in the west, so one of the best places to explore the rocks besides the coast is in river cuttings and quarries. Here in Cawfields Quarry and in the river cutting and quarries running alongside the Haltwhistle Burn we can explore rocks from the Carboniferous period, as well as the Whin Sill, that underly the central part of the Wall between Brampton and Chollerford.

We will visit locations in the burn and Cawfields Quarry to introduce different rock types, how they vary and how they relate to each other. This will be used as a way of looking at the evidence for what it was like when the rocks were being laid down which will give a good starting place to help understand how to identify rocks on Hadrian’s Wall. Methods of reading the rocks will be introduced during the walk. Whilst this is not essential for rock recognition it is highly recommended as a way of getting to know the stones. We will also learn about how quarrying has been carried out.

In summary we will be:

• Exploring the geology and landscape

• Learning how to recognise and categorise rocks

• Learning how to read the landscape

• Learning how to use geological maps

Logistics: We start at Cawfields Quarry car park where we will gather at a distance. From here we will walk from towards Haltwhislte following the old trackway down the Hatlwhistle Burn visiting 3 to 4 locations along the burn which will be a mixture of stream sections and old quarries. We will stop for picnic lunch during the walk along the burn to allow plenty of time to explore the burn. We then return to Cawfields Quarry in the afternoon to explore the Whin Sill and the way that the Wall interacts with the landscape here, including taking a short walk up to Milecastle 42. We will be walking between 3 and 4 miles along trackway and roadway for the most part but will need to do some scrambling to look at the rock faces in the quarries along Haltwhistle Burn.

Click here to register for this event.

COVID information: COVID-19 is a serious illness which is readily transmitted between people. To minimise the risk of passing on this disease during geo-walks, a process has been put in place. Whilst this gives a structure to manage the risk of transmission, for it to succeed there is a need for us to take individual responsibility to make this work. This is nothing new and I imagine you will already be doing this when you go out for shopping and other activities where you will be meeting people outside your own household. The three things that I would like us to do are:

  • to be aware,
  • to be considerate, and:
  • to communicate.

To be aware of others around you so that you can negotiate how to remain distant from them

To be considerate. This is a difficult time, and we know that some people are more vulnerable than others. This includes the way that we feel about the situation and it is important to be aware of and respect others’ feelings and needs as we proceed.

To communicate. Humans are good at working out where we are physically in relation to others, however, to get the distancing sorted, using your awareness and consideration to communicate and negotiate your way around the walk is vital. Smiling, “you-go-firsts” and “I’ll leave the gate for you” amongst other considerations will oil the wheels of how this works, as well as making the day out more enjoyable.

Participants will be asked to perform a self-assessment of their health on the day of the walk. If they feel generally unwell and especially if they find that they have any of the currently recognised symptoms of COVID19, they will be asked to self-exclude from the walk and to let the leader know that they will not be attending.

The currently recognised symptoms of COVID19 illness can be found here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51048366

If participants find that they develop symptoms within 10 days after the walk please can you get in touch directly so that we can work as required with the government Track and Trace process.

Volunteer information:

  • No previous experience required just come along and have a great morning out exploring rocks.
  • Please bring your own hand gel and mask if you wish to wear one.
  • Sturdy footwear is essential ie walking boots preferable but wellingtons ok – trainers not acceptable.
  • Please bring appropriate clothing. You will need waterproofs if it is raining.
  • Volunteers will need transport to the start point.
  • If you have a camera/phone please bring this with you so that you can record pictures of the rocks to remind yourself of what you have seen.
  • Please bring your own water and picnic lunch.