Hartburn Glebe

Hartburn Glebe is an area of rural woodland occupying the steep sides of the valley of Hartburn, near Morpeth, Northumberland. The woodland lies over millstone grit, which outcrops as precipitous cliffs in parts, curving along the side of the river Hart Burn. At the curve of the river is a deep pool known as the Baker’s Chest, reputed to have been used to hide silver and valuables during Viking Raids. The village of Hartburn is about 15 miles due north of Hadrian’s Wall and the woodland and burn bear testimony to the Roman presence. Earthworks of Roman origin have been investigated on site and a Roman causeway route, the Devil’s Causeway, crosses the site. The archaeological history is further embellished with a wonderful Grade II listed Grotto, a natural cave adapted and fashioned for use by bathers, linked to the river’s edge by a tunnel, which the more modest could use to slip into the water unobserved. There is also an elaborate sandstone bridge and numerous walkways all landscaped by the Reverend Doctor Sharpe, Vicar of Hartburn, in the late 18th century. .