Bolam Lake – Mitford Castle and Church loop from Pegswood

Bolam Lake – Mitford Castle and Church loop from Pegswood

Moderate

riders

Bolam Lake – Mitford Castle and Church loop from Pegswood

02:40

61.2km

460m

Road cycling

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 21, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

422 m

Robin of Pegswood Sculpture

Highlight • Monument

Robin of Pegswood designed to symbolise the area's mining heritage and links to Sherwood Forest in Nottingham.
The piece was created by local artist Tom Maley, whose previous work includes the bronze statue of Newcastle United legend Jackie Milburn on the approach to St James' Park and the unknown bronze soldier at the war memorial in Ashington.
Good marker for Pegswood turn where there is a co-op store if needed

Tip by

24.3 km

Codger Fort

Highlight • Monument

Codger Fort was erected by Sir Walter Blackett in the mid-eighteenth century probably around the time of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion

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25.1 km

Catmire Plantation

Forest

27.0 km

Sawmill Plantation

Forest

34.9 km

Scenic Rural Road

Highlight • Cycleway

Recently resurfaced which was good as it was poor. Lots of very minor side road options

Tip by

35.5 km

Bolam Lake

Highlight • Forest

Bolam Lake country park is managed by Northumberland County Council. It's a mixture of lake, wetland and woodland habitat and home to many species of bird and animals including red squirrels.
There is a cafe with seasonal opening times.
April to September: Open 10:00 - 16:00 but closed Mon & Tue.
October to March: Open 10:00 - 15:00 and closed Mon, Tue & Wed.

Tip by

39.6 km

Belsay Village Shop & Café

Highlight • Cafe

Good little shop with drinks, coffee, pies and bacon sarnies

Tip by

53.2 km

St Mary Magdalene Church

Highlight • Other

History of the Church:

The parish church dates back to the late 12th century and was remodeled in the 13th century, likely after the village was burned by King John in 1216. The 14th century saw the addition of transepts. Major restoration and the addition of a south aisle, west tower, clerestory, and porch were carried out by R.J. Johnson of Newcastle in 1874-5.

Exterior:

The church features a mix of medieval squared stone and 19th-century ashlar with red tile roofs. Key elements include a west tower with an octagonal southwest stair turret, a south aisle with stepped angle buttresses and lancet windows, and a projecting southwest porch. The north nave wall has 13th-century masonry and a blocked door. The chancel’s south wall includes a 12th-century priest’s door and lancet windows, while the transepts have trefoiled ogee lights.

Interior:

Inside, the 12th-century south arcade features round moulded arches on round piers with scalloped capitals. The north transept and south transept have foliage-carved capitals and a small piscina, respectively. The chancel arch and tower arch are 19th-century, and the chancel includes triple sedilia and eastern lancets with 12th-century outer shafts. Fittings include a 1622 Revely monument, a Romanesque wall monument, a medieval bell, and various 19th-century items like the font, pulpit, and reredos with figures of Saints Aidan and Cuthbert.

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