St. Cuthbert's Well (Farne Islands)

Trip No.30  Entry No.1  Date Added: 14th Jun 2017
Site Type: Holy Well or Sacred Spring Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 11th Jun 2017. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 3

Log Text: St. Cuthbert's Well (site of), Inner Farne: Requires boat trip and short walk from the jetty to see exterior of the building within which it is located. The sea was very calm today, but there were lots of people on the boat – there must have been around 3 to 4 space places. We had a trip around the islands, stopping to see the seals and various colonies of birds in their different nesting places.

Eventually arriving at Inner Farne, the island was full of people with big cameras and enormous lenses, and I felt the ‘poor relation’ with my small lens. The terns were in full flight, protecting their eggs and their chicks.

I took my list of sites with grid references and asked the National Trust Warden who was manning the information point. She said it was not possible to get into the lighthouse compound to look for the cross base, as it was owned by Trinity House and off-limits. She said there was a well in the basement (Pastscape says ground floor) of Prior Castell’s Tower, but as it was used by the wardens for accommodation, the public were not allowed in. She did confirm that there was a door/panel that could be opened, with a few steps leading down to a stone lined chamber containing water, which would be the well.

She also said that they believed what is now called “The Fisherman’s Hut” was the site of St. Cuthbert’s Cell and the place of his death. “There’s a small window where he would watch for people coming to the island, and if he didn’t want to talk to them, wouldn’t open the door.” Pastscape says there is considerable doubt about the position of the cell and there are various theories about its location.

I also had the location for a cross base, but as this was located inside the lighthouse grounds (or on the cliff edge!), this area was out of bounds to tourists.

Chatton 2

Trip No.30  Entry No.2  Date Added: 14th Jun 2017
Site Type: Rock Art Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 11th Jun 2017. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: Chatton 2, Rock Art, Northumberland: See visit report for Chatton 1a.

Chatton 3

Trip No.30  Entry No.2  Date Added: 14th Jun 2017
Site Type: Rock Art Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 11th Jun 2017. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: Chatton 3, Rock Art, Northumberland: See visit report for Chatton 1a.

Chatton 1a

Trip No.30  Entry No.2  Date Added: 14th Jun 2017
Site Type: Rock Art Country: England (Northumberland)
Visited: Yes on 11th Jun 2017. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: Chatton 1a, Rock Art, Northumberland: After our trip to the Farne Islands, as we were nearby and had an hour or so to spare, we decided to head off to Chatton to see if we could find the rock art and the rock shelter. Little did I realise that we’d be blown off the top of the hill – I found it almost impossible to stand and take photographs, despite it being a relatively calm, sunny day.

Andrew (husband) related that friends (Martin Green and Dot) who’d visited the trig point here had been unable to find any rock art. They also said that there was now a sign on the gate leading onto the track (at NU 07833 28678) leading up to the rock art site, but we didn't see any. However, the track was clear and easy to follow.

I confess to being really disappointed, as the marks were very worn and faint, and we had difficulty identifying them, even though we knew what we were looking for. We found three examples: Chatton 1a, Chatton 2 and Chatton 3.

Husband set off to the Ketley Crags rock shelter, but didn't take the camera with him, so a separate trip will be required (note: found an alternative route avoiding the stream).