I'm planning on visiting England this fall for the first time. One of the key things I intend doing is to attend a sheep herding event. there is one on the 24th and the 30th in Northumberland. I also want to visit the monument to the first Border Collie, Old Hemp. It is located in West Woodburn at the Jubilee Triangle off A68. The closest train station is in Hexham. Am looking for transportation for two days between the train station, hotel, and one of the herding events. Have been told there are no taxies or Uber in that area. Any suggestions? I will not rent a car, not driving on the other side of the road. Will pay someone to drive me.
Posted by
Preston UK
1087 posts
You are visiting a part of England with virtually no forms of public transport. Uber certainly won't operate there.
The various sites are 25-30 miles north of Hexham and a similar distance from Morpeth.
The only suggestion I could offer is to contact taxi firms in either Hexham or Morpeth and outline what you need and what sort of charges they would make. It won't be cheap as the driver will need to take you and either wait until the end of the sheep dog trials or go home and come back later.
Posted by
London
81 posts
There are a number of taxi companies in Hexham (ecocabs, Colin's, Slaley and Hexham, Advanced and Budget) - do note that it is a 40 ish minute drive to the monument. Buses are fairly infrequent passing that monument - probably the 885 once a day in either direction.
Posted by
OP
SW Pennsylvania
102 posts
I understand the Bay House Inn in West Woodburn is within walking distance to the Old Hemp Memorial.
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2585 posts
Where's the sheepdog event being held? Have you decided where to stay?
Try Tarset taxis https://www.tarsetvalleytaxis.co.uk/
Posted by
Lake District, England
7388 posts
Bellingham is the closest village to West Woodburn, accessible by a good bus service, the #880 from outside Hexham Station, or Otterburn on the A68, Carter Bar Road, although public transport to there is now thin.
There are places to stay in both villages and we know that Bellingham has a taxi service. You would need to pre-book the taxi of course.
Posted by
Lake District, England
7388 posts
The #885 to West Woodburn has one bus on a Monday only. On a Saturday there is the #682 at 1017 from Hexham Railway Station, returning from West Woodburn at 1505. That is the totality of the service to the village.
The #915 which used to run from West Woodburn to Otterburn twice a week and at school times is no more.
Yes the Bay Horse is in walking distance of the Old Hemp.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1292 posts
I agree that your best bet would be to contact taxi firms and see if you could book a driver for a whole day to take you around. These places are all very rural.
Posted by
OP
SW Pennsylvania
102 posts
Was considering staying at the Bay Horse Inn since the monument is suppose to be within walking distance. the trials are at: NE19 1 JX and NE19 1RB.
Posted by
Lake District, England
7388 posts
The first one is at Otterburn, the 2nd is at Rochester, Northumberland.
On a Saturday only there is the #808 bus from Bellingham to Newcastle at 1010 and West Woodburn at 1020 calling at Otterburn Percy Arms at 1035, returning from there at 1815.
There is no connection at Bellingham in the morning with the #880 from Hexham.
You won't get to Rochester by bus from West Woodburn as it is only served by the daily #131 from Jedburgh to Newcastle and return and the Monday only #885 mentioned above.
There is nowhere to stay that I am aware of at Rochester.
You really are going to be taxi dependent, or need to very seriously consider renting a car.
The roads around here are good quality and pretty empty.