Rothbury Trenches
Military Rothbury Northumberland

Rothbury Trenches

Military In Rothbury, Northumberland

Training trenches dug by members of the 18th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers in preparation for World War I.

While having a wander in upper Rothbury on the Carriage Drive I came across a number of channels dug into the ground. Inspecting the map there wasn't anything marked here, but switching to aerial view showed this curious layout. Of course I did a bit of investigation and found out these were the Rothbury Trenches.

During World War I, the Rothbury Trenches (or Rothbury Training Trenches) were constructed by members of the 18th (Service) Battalion (1st Tyneside Pioneers) of the Northumberland Fusiliers.

The battalion was raised in November 1914, as part of Kitchener's New Armies and was affiliated with the Northumberland Fusiliers as a pioneer unit. Formed on 14th October 1914 by the Mayor of Newcastle they were initially based in Jesmond before further training at the County Cricket Ground, before ending up in Rothbury in December 1914.

The training area at Rothbury was chosen for its terrain, which allowed the soldiers to create a network of trenches that accurately mirrored those on the Western Front. These trenches were used to train not only the pioneers themselves but also other units in trench warfare tactics, giving them a practical understanding of what awaited them in Europe.

Historical Records of the 18th Battalion NF mention that:

"Lord Armstrong kindly made us free of the moorland above the town, a position on which was selected and each company was given a length of front to prepare for defence.”

You can make out the trenches at ground level however the heather is slowly covering it, so we sent Red5 up to get these aerial photos.

We also took a snap of the lovely Simonside Hills in the distance.

Our new Fabulous North friend Helen Dalrymple sent us a picture of the trenches being constructed and said:

"Here is a photo of some of the Fusiliers practising digging one of the trenches. I think it is my great uncle 2nd from left."

If you fancy a wander up, then park in Rothbury and then head up the cut next to the Narrow Nick. Keep heading straight and you will enter a little forest area. Keep climbing up until you come to a clear track and head west. You will pick up the Carriage Drive and just follow this to the Rothbury Trenches.

Use the route above or open on OS Maps. Around 3.5km and 172m of climbing.

Follow On OS Maps

For more things to see and do when you're up here have a look at our walk to Upper Rothbury And Cartington Hill.

  Add To Bucket List   I Have Visited This Place

Get 4 points if you have visited this place. Already visited by 15 VIPs.

Login to the VIP area to add places to your bucket list, mark them as visited and more importantly see where you rank on the league table.

How To Find Rothbury Trenches

Where Is Rothbury Trenches?

Show Place On Google Maps

Lat / Long

55.324642, -1.924701

What three words

encroach.restore.reader

Where To Park For Rothbury Trenches?

Show Parking On Google Maps

Lat / Long

55.307689, 55.307689

What three words

gloom.remedy.activism

Park in Rothbury in the Cowhaugh car park.

Contributed by Simon Hawkins

Thanks for checking out this place on the Fabulous North! I do enjoy a wander out in to the countryside trying to find hidden gems that not many people know about. You can't beat a rogue pele tower up a remote hill, a mysterious stone circle or a stunning waterfall secluded in a forest.

More Places from Simon
Simon Hawkins

More Places In Rothbury

Find more fabulous places in Rothbury, Northumberland and if you know of a place we haven't listed, then let us know.

Rothbury Tree Trail
Rothbury Tree Trail
Landscape Rothbury Northumberland

A tree trail around Rothbury town centre and riverside showing you all the different types of trees and their history.

Shirlah Pike Trig Point
Shirlah Pike Trig Point
Trig Point Rothbury Northumberland

The trig point sitting on top of Shirlaw Pike (308m) near Rothbury.

Garleigh Moor Trig Point
Garleigh Moor Trig Point
Trig Point Rothbury Northumberland

The trig point sitting on top of Garleigh Moor (268m).

More Military

So this military wasn't enough and you want more? Don't worry we have you covered.

Newburn Ford Battlefield and Ryton Willows
Newburn Ford Battlefield and Ryton Willows
Military Newburn Tyne And Wear

Site of the battle of Newburn Ford and Ryton Willows Local Nature Reserve

Shotton Colliery War Memorial
Shotton Colliery War Memorial
Military Shotton County Durham

Lifesize Durham Light Infantry soldier atop a plinth with his rifle.

The Howitzer Gun
The Howitzer Gun
Military Seaham County Durham

A 5.5 inch Howitzer Gun to celebrate Seaham's links to the Royal Artillery and coastal defence during WWII.

Find Walks To Rothbury Trenches

Find which walks will visit Rothbury Trenches and plan your next adventure.

Upper Rothbury And Cartington Hill
Upper Rothbury And Cartington Hill
21km (13 miles) Rothbury Northumberland

A wander up on the crags above Rothbury, finding the Rothbury trenches then a trip up Cartington Hill and towards Cartington Castle.

Never Miss A Fabulous Place

If you are afraid of missing out on all the fabulous places we post, or just want to be the first to know, then sign up to the Fabulous North.

Each week we will email you all the brand new places that we visit.

Sign Up To Alerts
Sign up to newsletter
Fabulous North On Facebook

Find Us On Facebook

We post all our new places daily on our Facebook Groups page, so join the group today and be notified when we add a new place.

Join Our Facebook Group

Rothbury Trenches was listed in Military // Northumberland // Rothbury