Bell Crags

Tucked away in the quiet forestry of central Northumberland near Stonehaugh, this modest Tump offers a rugged, rocky character that belies its height. Sitting just north of Hadrian’s Wall, the summit provides a lonely, windswept vantage point over the expansive Wark Forest and the rolling moorland typical of the Border Country.

• •The name likely derives from the Old English 'belle', referring to a bell-shaped hill or a prominent knoll, combined with the Middle English 'crag' for the exposed rocky outcrops found here.
• •The summit is located roughly 1.5 kilometres west of the Pennine Way, making it a quiet detour for long-distance walkers looking to overlook the dense timber plantations of Wark Forest.
• •From the top, you can look south to see the distinctive dipping skyline of Sewingshields Crags, a major section of the Whin Sill that carries Hadrian's Wall.
• •The hill sits in the historic hinterland north of the Roman frontier; this landscape was once the domain of 'exploratores' (scouts) based at forts like Housesteads to the south.
• •While officially classified as a Tump, the 'crags' in its name serve as a reminder that the terrain is less of a gentle stroll and more of a test for your ankles and heather-bashing stamina.