Follow our tree trail

Discover the trees around Rothbury with our tree trail and find all the different species in the town centre with our free app and audio guide.

Tree Trail

There are currently seven trees to see on the trail on a 2km route. The terrain is flat so you will be able to find them all during a 2 hour leisurely walk. Download the app and an audio commentary will automatically play as you approach the trees. The Trail begins in the Haugh Car Park.

1. Veteran Beech

This Veteran Beech is by the River Coquet, opposite the bridge to the Haugh Car Park. This glorious tree is 3.6m in girth, and can be found on the Ancient Tree Inventory Id: 200743. The tree is introduced by local historian, Peter Dawson, and tells us about what could be seen across the river in years gone by.

2. Craa Tree

This Notable Ash is the remaining 'Craa Tree' written about by David Dippie Dixon. There were once 3 Craa Trees on Beggar's Rigg. There is a lot of information which you can read in the Craa Trees blog post.

3. Fastigiate Yew

Look how it holds it branches upright, with clustered branches, narrowing at the top (fastigate). These trees are nearly all female and produce beautiful red berries. Read more about the very first Fastigiate Yew in this blog post Introducing the Irish Yew.

4. Horse Chestnut

Planted in 1858, along with many others along the High Street. You can learn more about its history, and the War Memorial, in our Robert Hounam and Dippie Dixon blog post.

5. Notable Beech

This Notable Beech is on Brewery Lane, leading up to the first school. You can read more about its history in Rothbury Fire Engine and the Murderous Attack on Local PC post.

6. Sycamore At RFC

These trees were planted in about 1833. Learn more about the building of Cragside by listening to John Homer's song: A Simple Man in our The Magician of the North? blog post.

7. Weeping Ash

These two majestic and iconic trees were located outside of the Rothbury's Armstrong Cottages.

Unfortunately, they were suffering from Ash Dieback, a fungal disease that is often fatal. They have now been felled. There were also two similar ones in the Armstrong plot at the Haw Hill Graveyard, but have also been felled. Read about them in the blog post They no longer weep, but we do.

Walking The Trail

The Trail begins in the Haugh Car Park. Walk across the footbridge to the old public toilets and note the magnificent Veteran Beech Tree behind. This tree will tell you about what it has witnessed across the river, over the years.

From here, turn left, and walk along the side of the River Coquet until you get to the Beggar's Rigg Car Park. Find the track up to the pavement, and there you will find the one remaining Craa Tree. This tree is waiting to tell you all about what she can see and what she has witnessed.

From here, make your way into Rothbury, past the Newcastle House, to the churchyard of Old Saints Church. The Fastigiate Yew is easy to spot and she has some wonderful stories to tell you?

Come out of the Graveyard the way you went in, and cross the main road to the magnificent Horse Chestnut Tree, by the War Memorial. Listen as it tells the tale of one of Rothbury's brave young men.

Next, walk along to the Queens Head pub and continue up Brewery Lane to the corner. There you will find a fine Notable Beech Tree, which has seen a lot of things in this area.

From here walk back to the main road and turn left, along to the Armstrong Cottages. Here you will find two marvellous Ornamental Weeping Ash Trees. Listen to their conversation. (Unfortunately, these trees have now been felled, replaced with two young weeping willows.).

Follow the road out of town and towards Rothbury Football Ground to find the Sycamore Tree. Please take care as there is no safe footpath just yet.

I hope you enjoy learning a little bit about Rothbury history, and some very special trees.