This beauty spot will ‘take you away from the modern world’ and is perfect for an Autumn walk --[Reported by Umva mag]

From the Lake District to the Scottish Highlands, the UK has plenty of outdoor walks and stunning woodlands to admire and explore. 

And some of them remain relatively undiscovered. 

One such spot, hidden in North East England is Allen Banks, a ‘magical’ Victorian garden and woodland area in Northumberland. 

The haven is part of the 617-acre Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, one of the largest areas of ancient woodland in Northumberland and one of the National Trust’s protected areas. 

Allen Banks is the northern end of the wooded gorge, located alongside the River Allen, boasting lush forests and serene walks. Steward Gorge, meanwhile, lies to the south of Allen Banks, featuring dramatic cliffs and rocky outcrops. 

The woodlands seen at Allen Banks are largely the work of the 19th-century ‘wonder woman’ Susan Davidson, who made it her life’s purpose to develop the estate, the National Trust says. 

Her landscaping work included trails, bridges and picturesque lookout points that still entice visitors today. 

Despite its huge size, Allen Banks is often overlooked, with tourists flocking to more popular walking destinations – such as the nearby Hadrian’s Wall, around eight miles away. 

Those who do stumble upon the hidden gem, however, are rewarded with serene woodland paths and peaceful trails along the riverbanks.

OneReddit user who visited Allen Banks with his partner shared that there was ‘nobody else for miles.’

User ‘keefusoutdoors’ commented: ‘Lovely part of the world. Let the crowds go to the lakes and keep Northumberland secret.’

And Tripadvisor reviews are just as positive, with ramblers declaring it a ‘stunning’ and ‘peaceful’ location. 

Reviewer ‘Liz’, who visited in June with her mother, wrote: ‘Never been before and couldn’t believe what a gem we’d found.

‘The walk was well signposted, really easy to follow. A few slight inclines but nothing major. So peaceful, beautiful and definitely worth a visit.’

‘Paul R’ added: ‘The location is magical. The area possesses a peaceful atmosphere which takes you away from the modern world and all its trappings, cleansing everything that may be bewildering and confused.’

While ‘Ruth H’ agreed: ‘Thoroughly enjoyed this walk, peaceful along the river with good paths and beautiful Autumn colours.’

So what is there to love about this hidden gem tucked away in Northumberland?

For starters, there are several paths to explore, such as the 2.5-mile Moralee Tarn Walk, which leads through enchanting woodlands to a secluded tarn lake, originally dug out as a boating lake by the Victorians. 

Allen Banks is also a haven for wildlife, including Red Squirrels. While sightings are becoming increasingly rare, they are occasionally seen in the treetops, where they spend their days searching for snacks such as seeds and acorns. 

Visitors may also catch a glimpse of roe deer moving through the trees or come across badgers, which live underground. 

Along the riverbank, you can keep an eye out for otters, according to the National Trust, the playful creatures live in holts around the water’s edge.

For birdwatchers, there are over 70 species to look out for, including woodpeckers, herons and buzzards. 

After a long day of walking, visitors can relax at the restored Victorian summerhouse, which the National Trust describes as a ‘perfect spot to take a moment to rest, have a picnic and admire the views’. 

Allen Banks is also a great place to forage for fungi, with many species, including Giant puffballs and Yellow stag’s horn, visible from around July to November.

The area is dog friendly too, allowing pets to explore on leads.

While some of the walking trails are currently closed, due to falling trees, the National Trust’s website provides updates and encourages visitors to check for information before heading out. 

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