Summer solstice at 'Northumberland's Stonehenge'

A short walk at Simonside to take in the late evening summer sun and to imagine what it would have been like thousands of years ago gathered around the holed stone at the centre of 'Northumberland's Stonehenge'.

To get to the carpark, turn off the B6342 about 3 miles south of Rothbury and follow the narrow road for about a mile up to the carpark out on the moors at the top of the road (not the Simonside walks car park that is further along the road in the trees). See attached map pin.

The walk is about 4.5 miles across moorland so come with good footwear and weather proof clothing. We can have a stop at the top of Simonside to enjoy the evening views across the Coquet valley to the Cheviot hills.

We then walk back along a steep stepped descent, a forest road and a moorland path back to within 15 mins of the car park where we divert to see the 'holed stone'. This boulder has a hole that is aligned with the setting sun on the summer solstice. It is thought to have been a focal point thousands of years ago for people marking the passage of the seasons.

Depending on whether the sun is shining or is behind a cloud, we will have a stop here, then walk at sunset (2150) for 15 mins back to the cars at Lordenshaw.

Further details of the stone are here - https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/solstice-stone-northumberland-national-park-24266698