The Duddo Five Stones combine a prehistoric stone circle with views across the hills. Duddo Tower and the Church of All Saints represent other aspects of architectural history, while Twizel Bridge brings a medieval river crossing into focus. When planning your trip, it is worth keeping these themes distinct: the stones centre on prehistory and landscape, while the buildings are about form, function and historical context.

Stone Circle and Views at the Duddo Five Stones

The Duddo Five Stones are the remains of a small stone circle dating back more than 4,000 years, attributed to the Neolithic or Bronze Age. As an archaeological monument, the site draws attention to a distant past. At the same time, views from the stones extend south towards the Cheviot Hills and north towards the Lammermuir Hills. These two directions add a tangible sense of the surrounding landscape to the prehistoric setting. When planning your visit, also bear access in mind: the footpath to the stones runs for about a kilometre through fields. Check in advance whether access is currently possible.

Duddo Tower and the Church of All Saints

Duddo Tower survives as a ruin and earthwork. The tower stands on rocks just south of the village of Duddo. The ruin and earthwork are two features of the site: they describe not only the surviving tower but also the character of the place as an archaeological monument. Its position south of the village gives you a clear geographical reference point for this aspect of architectural history.

The Church of All Saints offers a different architectural point of reference. The former church is now a private residence and a Grade II listed building. It is built in the Decorated style. The parish church dates from 1879 and is attributed to F. R. Wilson of Alnwick. Its style, year of construction and listing category provide different points of reference: the style places the architecture in context, the year dates it, and Grade II indicates its listed status. Its use as a private residence is also part of how the building can be understood.

Twizel Bridge on the River Till

Twizel Bridge is a medieval single-span bridge from the early 16th century that crosses the River Till. “Single-span” describes its construction: the bridge crosses the river in a single span. Despite some repairs, it retains its medieval form, appearance and character. Both its construction and its preserved appearance are therefore central to its significance. The bridge is accessible on foot; as access arrangements can change, check current access before your visit.

The historical dates offer a useful comparison if you are particularly interested in history: the Five Stones date back more than 4,000 years, Twizel Bridge belongs to the early 16th century, and the Church of All Saints dates from 1879. This brings together different historical periods: a prehistoric stone circle, a medieval bridge and a church building with a specific date. You can choose to focus on archaeology, architecture or the landscape views from the stones.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ponteland, Shilbottle, Fourstones, Carham, Greenhaugh, Elsdon, Widdrington, Eglingham.

For the main travel overview: Northumberland.