Northumberland
Ridlees Cairn
412M
1352FT
About Ridlees Cairn
Situated in the southern fringes of the Cheviot Hills, this modest moorland summit offers a sense of deep isolation within the Otterburn Training Area. The terrain is characteristically Northumbrian—rough grass and heather—leading to a summit cairn with clear views across the Coquet valley toward the higher northern peaks.
Key Statistics
Rank
78th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Cheviots
Prominence
?
39
Nearest Town
Northumberland
Geology
As you climb, you're walking on the Fell Sandstone Formation. This durable layer of sandstone forms the rugged foundation of the high ground around you.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NT840042
Latitude
55.3316°N
Longitude
2.2537°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is likely derived from the Old English 'hrid-leah', meaning a cleared meadow or glade, referring to the historic farmsteads found in the valleys below.
- •Because the hill sits within the Ministry of Defence’s Otterburn Training Area, access is strictly governed by military firing schedules; walkers must check the public access calendar or watch for red flags.
- •The summit provides an excellent perspective of the remote upper Coquet Valley and the rounded silhouettes of the high Cheviots, including the distant, plateau-like profile of The Cheviot itself.
- •Nearby lies the site of Memmerkirk, a remote ruined dwelling that served as a medieval shieling and later a hideout, highlighting the long history of human habitation in these lonely hills.
- •Walking here requires a keen eye for both the cairn and the military firing notices, unless you want your afternoon stroll to become significantly more 'tactical' than intended.