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Follow the first stage of the Way of Light from St Oswald's Church at Heavenfield to Hexham Abbey. The high fields give wide views across the Tyne valley before the route descends past a conifer plantation and through farmland towards Acomb. There are gates, steps and small stream crossings along the way, so boots are useful after rain.
On the signed field path below Heavenfield, the exposed sandstone slabs are an opportunity to look for traces of glaciation. Northumberland Wildlife Trust identifies the Fallowfield outcrop here as sandstone smoothed and scratched by moving ice. Keep to the footpath, take care on wet rock and leave the surface undisturbed. This is not the former Fallowfield mine.
Pass through Acomb and follow the field path to St John Lee Church. Quiet lanes lead down to the bridge over the A69, then a tree-lined lane takes you to the road bridge across the Tyne. Continue into Hexham, climb Hallstile Bank and follow the cobbled Back Row. The final turns pass St Wilfrid's Arch and take you through the park beside the abbey.
Use the existing footbridges at stream crossings and the pavements on road bridges. Take care crossing the B6318 and on the lanes, and follow local signs and any current closures. Mapped paths and bridges are not a guarantee of present ground or structural conditions.
Allow around three hours, with longer for church visits. This is a linear walk and Heavenfield has no suitable public parking or bus service. Arrange a lift or taxi to the start before setting off. If leaving a car in Hexham, use the long-stay section at Wentworth and check the bay signs.
Geological locality source: https://www.nwt.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-10/Rock_festival_Fallowfield.pdf
Way of Light route information: https://www.thisisdurham.com/northernsaints/trails/the-way-of-light-p1043541
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