Rothbury Trenches

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.