Yeavering Bell

Although Hadrian’s Wall is the best known of the Park’s historical treasures, there are other sites that hint at the shape of an older, pre-Roman society. In the northern half of the Park, on the summits of lonely Cheviot hills, are the remains of around fifty Iron Age hill forts.

Yeavering Bell is arguably the most impressive of the extant forts. A wall of stones still circles the summit of Yeavering, enclosing an area roughly five and a half hectares. Although the wall is much diminished now, originally it would have stood some two and a half metres in height. A person on watch in the fort would have had a commanding view of the surrounding countryside, south to the Cheviots and north to what is now the Scottish Borders.

In recognition of the historical significance of the Northumberland hill forts, a number of waymarked Hillfort Trails have recently been created, making it easier to visit these remarkably evocative structures.

| Getting there

Park at the end of Old Yeavering lane (what3words: ///sues.marathons.nibbles) and follow the (very steep) track to the top of the hill.