'Good concrete-bottomed ford, about two to three car lengths across and 6in deep, with signs, depth gauge and footbridge.'

'It is only used by farm vehicles like a tractor ,quad or land rover as it only leads to moor land on the far side.These are taken from the north side of the Rowhope burn and is approximately 600 yards from a farm called Alnhammoor.'

'The stream you have to get across is called the Hepden Burn and runs into the river Coquet about 200yards further down from where photo is taken.'

'Was up the Coquet Valley on Saturday and came across this ford at a place called Batailshiel Haugh.The burn across the road/track is called Mid Hope and runs into the Usway Burn about 20 yards further down.Think this is a holiday cottage now and can only be reached from a road/track from Shillmore.'

Beanley (x3!)

'The best known Beanley ford (NU077193: Image 1) carries an unmade and gated, rather green, public road across the River Breamish (another much forded watercourse). The ford is on a small weir, about 16m across and 4in deep, with concrete ramps and bottom - much the smoothest part of the whole road! Good high footbridge, but no signs.

About a kilometre away, a gravel farm track passes through a couple of fords en route to pastures north of the river. The first (NU172182: Image 2) crosses a side streamlet. but is nevertheless 8m across and 6in deep, with a small footbridge. Soon after, a much bigger ford, about 20m across and recommended for 4x4s and farm vehicles only, crosses the Breamish at NU072184 (Image 3).'

'The beanley fords yare now restricted to walkers only due to there being many rare birds that now nest there, this has now been made a conservation walk and no motor propelled vehicles are allowed on the land except for farmer only acess, if you are caught you will possible face prosecution..Georgina Evans

'A prominent white "council" footbridge standing proud among the meadows drew my attention to an old roadway running down to the River Till from the north. Older OS maps show a road, so clearly there was a ford here, but there's not much sign of it now.'

'This isnt driveable at all. We checked it out April 2010.'Lee Bailey

'Irish bridge on good secondary road, footbridge, Ford signs.'

'Very rocky bottom through the Coquet - variable depth but shallow in summer. One car length wide. Caution, this is onto edge of land that is sometimes used for MOD live firing.'

'Reminiscent of foreign tracks across stony torrent beds, this 35yd crossing is passable with care by ordinary cars in dry weather, but by nothing when in full spate. Signs (including Unsuitable for Motor Cars) and long footbridge. Amazingly, it's shown as a yellow road on the OS 1:25K.'Image 1 mouseover sent in by Steve ?

Brinkburn (x2!)

'On a little used gated green lane across pasture, this ford through the River Coquet is about 15ft across; I didn't try it for depth (Image 1). Image 2 shows the second and larger of the two fords on the River Coquet at Brinkburn. This one required me to wade through the first to access it.'

'This concrete bottomed ford on the Darden Burn is found just off the A69 close to Coastley Burnfoot Farm.'

'This is on a track between Burradon and Sharperton. It’s about six inches deep and 8 yards wide. The base is natuaral but quite smooth, consisting of small stones. It could conceivably be tried by ordinary cars. A good quality track leads to it from the Burradon side.'

'Irish bridge with wooden railings and footbridge about 25yd upstream.'

'This is an Irish bridge, similar in construction and on the same watercourse as the one at Heugh. It doesn’t have any of the usual ford accoutrements though.'

'A good ford is constructed from concrete sleepers. It is 3 inches deep and 15 yards wide, with a good footbridge carrying the Pennine Way. Strictly speaking I don’t think there are vehicular rights for the general public, but in practice they exist. A sign just beyond the ford only then forbids traffic and there is a convenient turning space as well.'

'When walking the St Oswalds Way, I came onto a house and bridge that I cant find on my maps.Both have been obviously just been recently built. The bridge is on a former ford that is on older maps. This is on what I gather is Catheugh Estate land and is connected to the farm at Catheugh on the South side of the river Coquet. It is about a mile upstream from the Elyhaugh ford.'

'Smooth shallow concrete ford, about 15 ft across, on private asphalt road, shown as footpath on latest OS 1:50K.'

'This section of the road, between the two entrances to the fort, is signed as "no access to motor vehicles except for access", but is easily driveable. The stream is the one that drains Crag Lough, the lake overlooked by Hadrian's Wall.'

'This ford is found off Miller's Lane in Clarewood.'

'This ford is marked on the map as a ford but it is never used by cars ( only quads and tractors by the farmers ) as it eventually leads onto a drove road called Clennell Street which climbs into the hills and then crosses the border into Scotland,The river it crosses is called the river Alwin.'

'This is a small concrete ford just beyond the farm at Coastley. Beyond the road is designated as a bridleway. There is a footbridge but it is hardly necessary for this inch deep watersplash.'

'The attached photos are of the ford at Cockshot,The watercourse is called the Cockshot burn and runs into the River Coquet about half a mile away.'

'Pretty ford about two car lengths across and 3in deep. Signs, including the Dangerous When Flooded addendum - er, yes...' Worth taking seriously though, check out the ford when flooded (image mouseover sent in by Robin Lawrie 15/09/2003).

College Valley (x3!)

The first two are quite similar fords in College Valley. The first is at Sutherland Bridge near Southernknowe (Image 1), the other is at Dunsdale (Image 2)' The 3rd is a mile North of the ford at Sutherland Bridge on the College Burn and is near a farm called Whitehall.It will only be used by farm vehicles ie tractors,quads ,land rovers.The side i took photos from is either woodland which is now being replanted or cattle and sheep grazing on the hills,together with new fencing and dry stone walling being redone.The road up the valley is along the far trees in the background (Image 3).

'This ford has a cobbled base, a footbridge and warning signs. I should imagine it is usually fairly shallow, but when I visited after heavy rain there was about a foot of fast flowing water.'

'When I visited in late December, the ford was about 2 feet deep with a bumpy, rocky bottom, but only about 2-3 car lengths long. Passable in a capable 4x4. Fast-flowing, so watch out if you're on a bike. There's a footbridge alongside and Unsuitable for Motors signs at each end. In case you have to ask directions, Coupland is locally pronounced 'Copeland'. There's another crossing marked on my map at NT921311, a little upstream, but that doesn't seem to exist.'

'Approx 2 miles from village of Whitley Chapel. At end of metalled C class road - crosses Rowley Burn - road continues west as unsurfaced lane. Surrounding scenery is magnificent - worth a visit!'

'Nice concrete ford on what may be a private gravel road through open pasture. No signs, but there's a footbrdge about 150yd downstream. About three lamb-leaps across, and half a hoof deep.'

'A key crossing point to get over the River Coquet until the road that is used now was laid in the 1930`s. Only used now by farmers on quads etc to cross the river without having to travel miles to use the better tracks and bridges in the area.'

'Another little ford in the College Valley (Image 1). However, about 50 yards later there is anotherford which the road/track eventually leads to a farm called Elsdonburnshank (Image 2). The water way is where the Shanks sike and the Crowden sike meet and flow into what is called the Elsdon Burn at the farm.'

'This good concrete ford is about two inches deep. I assume that the track that leeds across the fields to it has vehicular rights but beyond it becomes a bridleway. There’s a dilapidated footbridge downstream.'

Eslington Park (x2!)

'Nice smooth little ford with concrete bottom, about a car's length across and an inch or so deep. Signs, depth gauge, footbridge. (Image 1)

The second is a part-time ford with footbridge and depth gauge - no signs. What appears to be a gate on the E side is in fact a wooden barrier, perhaps to replace the park wall at a point where water pressure in times of flood might push it over. The lower section is hinged at the top, presumably to let floating tree-trunks and dead cows pass beneath.'

'The twin villages of Ford and Etal promote themselves as a tourist attraction, with some justification as there is a lot to see. Etal is a chocolate box village with picturesque thatched pub and fine English Heritage castle, but true fordies will have eyes only for what lies at the end of the village street: a wonderful hard-bottomed ford, some 20yd across and around a foot deep even in dry weather. No signs or footbridge. The road beyond, although it goes through as a concreted lane, is private (but a public bridleway, so if you fancy your chance on a bike...)' Image mouseover sent in by Martin Roberts (17/08/2008)

'This is a good concrete ford, 8 yards wide and 2 inches deep, with warning signs and depth gauge. A bridge to the side for light vehicles is private.'

'Just off the public road is this Irish bridge on a private farm road. I couldn't resist the name.'

'This irish bridge ford and substantial footbridge are found on the road leading down from The Gate public house.'

'This very nice and well kept setted ford is on a private driveway, although a public bridleway crosses the adjacent footbridge. Depth gauge and what looks like a hydraulic ram.'

'Irish bridge with full ford accoutrements: signs, footbridge, depth gauge.'

'It crosses the back road not far from the River Coquet. It has a 3ft depth sign where the burn runs under the road'

'Difficult to find for such a small village - find the Youth Hostel, then continue another 40 yards. Approached at both ends by a gravel track, the bottom is a rough mix of cobbles, rubble and unmade river-bed. It is still used, despite the provision of a bridge immediately adjacent. Width is approx. 8 yards, with a depth of around 6 inches.'

'This ford is found on the road leading out of Hamsterley Forest.'

'This ford on the River Aln is found just off Lady Anne's Walk within Hulne Park just below the remains of the Carmelite Hulne Priory founded in 1240.'

'Irish Bridge - On class C road 1/2 mile from Hamburn Hall farm'

'Rough and deep ford across the River Coquet (a much forded river), no signs, high footbridge. About 25m across, and probably well over a foot deep. Daunting even for 4x4s, although clearly in regular use, perhaps by the local farmers en route to or from the pub on their tractors.'

'On a rough public byway, suitable for 4x4s and trials cars, this ford uses the natural slabs of the stream bed, but care is needed as these are breaking up. The adjacent footbridge is derelict, but there are signs that repair is imminent.'

'Although the faded blue sign when you leave the A697 says "Ford Unsuitable for Motors", the watersplash itself is fine if it hasn't rained too much: a big concrete trough, about 6in deep in the middle. The deep and steep stony ramps in and out are a little more of a problem, but an ordinary car should manage fine. Signs, high arched footbridge.'

'This ford is found on the Hazon Burn at Hazon.'

'Small, fast concrete ford, about 15 ft across. Signs, depth gauge, footbridge (to R of photo).'

'This is an Irish bridge on a deteriorating tarmac road. There’s a footbridge downstream.'

Details sent in by Jonathan Gurney
'The vilage of Lindisfarne, on Holy Island, is dependent on the tidal road for access to the outside world. This is the only tidal road in the UK with a public bus service, daily in summer and two days per week in winter. The timetable, necessarily complicated as it has to fit in with the changing tides, can be found via Northumberland County Council's website.'

BBC News Story

'Pleasant little ford in East Allendale, one of two across the River East Allen (see also Rye Close). 4m across and 2in deep, concrete bottom, distant and home Ford signs, two depth gauges, footbridge 50m downstream.'

Ilderton (x2!)

'The first ford is on a roughish but motorable road between Ilderton and South Middleton. The ford itself is probably best left to 4x4s as it has rough stony base. It’s about six inches deep and 15 yards wide and has a footbridge upstream (Image 1).

Boulders placed in the “road” have blocked vehicular access to this ford. However, there are still a ford warning sign, an “unsuitable for motors” sign and a depth gauge. Furthermore, it is still marked as a road in road atlases. In reality it is now just a path and cycleway. The ford itself is deep and contains a large natural rock step and further strategically placed boulders. It is in a wooded dell through which the stream cascades with small waterfalls. It’s unsuitable for anything with 4 wheels. (Image 2)'

'The blocking boulders can be avoided. You then drive a steep winding narrow track to the ford. Very uneven bottom followed by a 250mm step on the right to exit the ford. A steep exit track with plenty of overhanging foliage that needs cutting back. A short wheelbase 4x4 is a must.'Roger Fairclough

Ingram Glidders (x2!)

'Two fords at Ingram Glidders up the Breamish valley in Northumberland. First one has been used by farm vehicles and crosses the Greensidehill burn just before it reaches the River Breamish (Image 1). Second ford is about 400 yards further upstream from the first one and has been formed to get vehicles across the River Breamish to get the wood from the other side to be transported out of the valley (Image 2).'

'This ford is found at Blackhall Mill. The ford has a dog-leg which at high water levels can catch drivers out.'

'This ford is over the River Alwyn and is used by the forestry traffic and organisations that need to get to the old farmhouses at Milkhope and Whiteburnshank which are now outdoor centres in Kidland Forest.'

'This ford is marked on the OS 1:50000 map so merits inclusion here. However, it is very inaccessible. There is no access to the public at all on the direct route through Scaup Farm. Therefore use must be made of the public bridleways. These, though, are non-existent on the ground. Once access is gained the ford is found to be a shallow affair made from concrete sleepers with a footbridge.'

'This is an Irish bridge on a cul-de-sac that is falling into disrepair. There’s a footbridge but no warning signs or depth gauge.'

'An Irish bridge on the hillside above the Rye Close ford. There’s a footbridge but no signs or depth gauge.'

'Used by mainly farm vehicles but road only goes a few hundred yards further up from photograph. Road vehicles can get up to here as the cottage next to ford is a holiday type cottage.'

'This ford on the Edingham Burn is found at Lemmington Mill.'

'A very nice classic concrete-bottomed ford, some 10m across and 2in deep. Ford signs, high footbridge.'

'This is a rough ford on a rough steep byway with a footbridge alongside.'

Linhope (x2!)

'This first ford is up Ingram Valley at a place called Linhope. A car could probably cross here but it will be used mainly by quads and land rovers for crossing the river Breamish to get the shooters onto the moors and hills. Without this ford it would be a 4 to 5 mile trip by the only other road up the valley (Image 1). The second ford is restricted access and directly adjacent (Image 2).

'This ford by the looks of it hasnt been used for many years. The ford would cross where the tree is on the far side of the river. There is now a bridge across the river just upstream from the ford as per photo.There is a stone at the end of bridge which says it was built in 1958,so i guess that is when the ford would be last used.'

'This Irish bridge is on the unmade road to Great Ryle. Despite the lack of a surface there is a pointer directing traffic to Great Ryle and there are ford signs on either side, as well as a footbridge.'

'Small Irish Bridge.'

Link to geograph

'An Irish bridge carrying a public bridleway as well as a private farm drive. No signs; footbridge about 100yd to SW.'

'Ford on C class road nr Low Ardley farm - crosses Ham Burn - normal flow an inch or two. (FB off picture to left)'

'This is next to the Calvert Trust’s outdoor activity centre. Strictly speaking there is no access as of right, but in practice there are no restrictions. It’s a few inches deep with a footbridge nearby. The base is made of concrete sleepers (which seems to be a popular construction method in the Kielder Forest).'

'Small watersplash with steep ramps in and out on unpaved old public road, which peters out afterward. However, near the village it retains an old enamel road sign warning of children.'

'An Irish bridge at the start of an unmade but not too rough road. Water levels suggest that this would not require much rain before becoming a proper ford.'

'The rutted gravel public byway either side is passable with care in an ordinary car; but the ford itself is strictly for 4x4s. This is because its bottom is the natural slabs of the stream bed, which have broken up badly in places. Footbridge, no signs.'

'This ford on the River Font is found at Mitford. One of three fords here. The tractor is driven by the tenant farmer of Dene House Farm, Mr William Elliott., MBE. '

'Part time ford with footbridge; no signs.'

'Please note: Part of the road leading upto the ford (Westside) is no access, only for residents.

Stobs ford is on the East side of Morpeth, it is approximately 97 feet wide when water is at normal level, with a depth of 10 to 12 inches. This can drastically change during heavy rainfall when this can increase to several feet deep, and fast flowing, not suitable to cross. There is a footbridge parallel to the ford.'

'A small ford on the no-through road to Moss Peteral. About 4 yards wide and 2 inches deep. No signs, footbridge or depth gauge.'

'A rough ford on a track. It has a natural stony base and is about six inches deep. The track is indistinct in the pasture alongside but soon becomes obvious again.'

'This irish bridge ford is found on the Newbrough Burn in the centre of the village.'

'This ford is found on the River Font at Newton Mill.'

'There’s a ford at the northern end of a stretch of unmade public road with very muddy approaches. It’s about 8 inches deep, but only a few yards wide and has a footbridge.'

'I was drawn by the legend Stepping Stones on the 1:50K OS map; but these have been scattered by the current and are now for bold and agile walkers only. The track is a loose surfaced BOAT, easily passable by ordinary cars from the A1068 almost to the ford, but 4x4 territory after that. The ford is about 30ft across and may be quite deep if it dips into a hole; no bridge or signs.'

Old Ridley (x2!)

'I did not realise until this day that there are two good fords at Old Ridley. The original, used regularly on the LE JOG trial, lies immediately north of the road junction; but I never realised that there's a second, 150yd to the east. Both have fine setted bottoms and are about two car lengths across, with a full complement of Ford and Brake signs, depth gauges and footbridge.'

Paddaburn (x2!)

'Deep in the Kielder Forest complex, the old farmstead at Paddaburn has been modernised to create one of Britain's remotest houses. The bridleway in from the south-east has been given a shale surface and is passable by car, cutting out the ford. This is now falling into disuse but still passable by 4x4, as shown in Image 1.

About half a mile to the south east, a Forestry Commission road crosses the roughish ford shown in Image 2.'

'Charming little watersplash on a remote back lane near Longhorsley, in a pretty woodland setting. About a car's length across and an inch or so deep, but steep ramps each side restrict speed. Concrete bottom, footbridge, depth gauge (almost a foot too pessimistic!), Ford signs.'

'In a beautiful location, in a steep wooded valley, is this ford through Devil’s Water. It is on a road signposted as a cul-de-sac but which continues as a rough track beyond the ford. It has rough stony base and usually a depth of about 7 inches. It’s about 10 yards wide. A wire mesh has been laid down across half the width, presumably to stabilise the riverbed and mitigate the roughness.'

Rawgreen (x2!)

'Two fords in quick succession. The first is on the main watercourse (Devil’s Water), the second is on a tributary. They are on a rough track that would be a very tight squeeze for traffic. The main one is about a foot deep and the second one is about 3 inches, but with equally rough bases. Each has a footbridge.'

'Again across Devil’s Water but this time it an Irish bridge with a footbridge and depth gauge but no warning signs.'

'This is a rather nice ford on the forest edge. It has a cobbled base with a concrete ramp on one side and a muddy exit on the other. The remains of an old tarmac road lead to it. It is also accessible via the forest road from Comb at NY767904. It’s probably suitable for all, but with caution due to a slippery surface.'

'This ford is approximately 1/2 mile south of the ford at Trows.Just recently some of the trees have been washed away in the floods up the Coquet Valley and these are the ones left standing at Rowhope. There is a concrete bridge about 5 yards below the ford as you can see in photo. Doesnt take much rain for this to flood over the road/bridge.'

'This ford on the Rugley Burn is found at Rugley Wood.'

'Attractive concrete-bottomed ford, 16m across and 2in deep. Ford signs distant and home, high footbridge and ample provision of depth gauges, which do not however appear to be in agreement with each other.'

'An Irish bridge with footbridge and a faded depth gauge.'

'The stream and track share a rocky pavement for about 30 yards. The stream then trickles over waterfalls and into a ravine. It is mostly very shallow except at the eastern end where a puddle forms several inches deep. It’s on a rough track.'

'A good quality ford on a poor quality road. It’s about 2 inches deep and 8 yards across with a concrete base and a footbridge nearby. Ordinary cars may struggle south of the ford due to mud. However, there is an old signpost in Warton that still directs traffic this way to Windyside and Low Trewhitt.'

South Tyne Fords (x4!)

'Between Melkridge and Bardon Mill, four old crossings forded this major river. None of them shows any sign of use, nor looks passable by vehicle or on foot, although two are marked as fords on the OS 1:50,000 map, and all are shown as rights of way on at least one scale of current OS map.

Image 1 shows Melkridge, easily reached from the north along a short stretch of smooth grassy track, which is the RUPP that continues across the ford.

Woodhall is on the route of a public footpath. A short stroll from the old main road takes you down to the farmyard, where a notice tells walkers that the stepping stones marked on the 1:25,000 map no longer exist. Go under the railway bridge, follow the fence on your right (not the better track) for about 200yds, then turn ninety degrees right through a gate. In about 100yds, the line of the ford is clearly visible (Image 2), down a grassy ramp into the river, towards a gate diagonally opposite.

I could find no visible trace of Henshaw (NY769643). The road to it is tarred as far as the railway bridge at NY767642, just before which is the small Irish bridge shown in Image 3 - note footbridge by wall. After the railway, a clear track takes the RUPP across a field to a gate, but I could discern no sign of it beyond. Perhaps raised river bank flood defence works had obliterated it. On the 1:25,000 map, it looks as if the road ran down the river bed for a short distance, but it is now far too deep and swift to countenance this.

The final crossing at Bardon Mill is shown on the 1:25,000 as both a ford and a RUPP, but on the 1:50K the ford is not mentioned and the RUPP stops on the north bank. There is a smooth dirt road from the village, across a DIY gated level crossing, but a fence has been erected across the road before the ford is reached, so the right of way has probably been stopped up. This was recent enough for a fairly modern depth gauge still to be in place at the south splashdown (Image 4), which is reached via a fine vintage footbridge. There is also a flood gauge next to the footbridge.

The river is clearly very much deeper now that the 6in shown on the depth gauge, and is fast flowing. Might some at least of the fords have been dredged out to prevent flooding when the river has to deal with high water flows?'

'In the College Valley and its about 400 yards further upstream from the one at Sutherland Bridge. I thought that this one might have been made for the forest that is on the other side but apparently a lady that went to the school at Southernknowe in the 1940`s says she used to cross over it to get to a footbridge over another stream to get to the school and predates the forest.The forest is being cut down at the moment and hence the wagons use this to get the wood out.The three photos are two of the ford and the view downstream where the Sutherland Bridge ford is just around the curve in the river. This ford, along with others in the valley can be driven for a £10 fee.'

'This island, at the north end of Whitley Bay, carries a lovely lighthouse, access to which is by a good concrete tidal causeway across the rocks. It's 185 metres long. A small notice restricts access to essential and residents' vehicles, but anyone can stroll or cycle over.'

'Irish bridge on well surfaced farm road which is also a public bridleway. Footbridge alongside to E, no signs.'

'Tanners Yard in Hexham runs behind Gilesgate. It is actually a stream running along a cobbled back lane, for about 50 yards. It is permanent and in previous centuries was used for treating hides in the tanning industry for which Hexham was famous. Image 1 looks down the lane; Image 2 shows where it disappears into a culvert; Image 3 is looking back the other way.'

'Was up the top of the Coquet and found this ford just to the north of a farm called Linbriggs near where there used to be a medieval village. It is only used by the farmers to get to their stock to the other side of the River Coquet and looks by the tracks there to be done by landrovers and quads.'

'Excellent ford, smooth concrete bottom, about 6 in deep and 20 ft across, with steep hairpin bend approach from SE. Ford signs. To the SW side, two narrow wooden bridges at right angles to each other provide an alternative roadway for light vehicles (weight limit 2 tons). The photos show a secret timing point set up for HERO's Land's End to John o'Groats Reliability Trial (LE JOG).'

'The section between Grindon Green and Scotchcoulthard of the public byway from Whygate towards Haltwhistle was a very rough track, impassable for cars, which used the much better Forestry Commission roads via Hindleysteel and Hopealone. Now it's been given a nice new gravel surface, no doubt because it's part of a national cycleway. Despite little wooden Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles signs, it's perfectly passable by most family cars, except perhaps for the little ford at The Linn, which has a sharp ledge in and out. My Audi A6 saloon - a long low car - got through with no trouble, though. Footbridge.'

'Beneath the ruins of the castle, this ford lies on the rout of the Pennine Way and Hadrian’s Wall. I’m not sure what vehicular rights apply to the road. The ford is about a foot deep and 10 yards wide.'

Ford on private tarmac road, that is also a bridleway so you could cycle through, normally very shallow, one and a half car lengths wide (from memory!). There is also at least one more on the private road from Trows up towards Uswayford. This is all public bridleway so if anyone fancies a walk or cycle.... From memory there is one here: 386100E 612840N and also one here:387445E 613700N. Uswayford is a working farm so the road up is very well maintained, though it does turn to gravel beyond Trows (if you got permission you could easily drive an ordinary car up).

Ulgham (x2!)

'Smooth concrete-bottomed ford about 15ft across and 2in deep. Signs, depth gauges, footbridge 50yd to W. (Image 1)

At the other end of the village from the other ford is this Irish bridge (Image 2). It has a footbridge, depth gauges and warning signs. The road is now a cul-de-sac owing to the presence of the Stobswood opencast colliery.'

'This is an excellent ford, in a scenic setting with a footbridge alongside, crossing Warks Burn on an un-surfaced public road just to the east of Wark Forest. It's not easy to find from the northern end as the route is not obvious on the ground after entering the farmyard at 'The Ash'. The base of the ford is rough and there are a few deeper holes. It's hard to tell how deep until you drive in as the water is fast flowing and stained brown with sediment. On the day we crossed it did come in the bottom of the doors of the Land Rovers.'

'Built atop a weir, this wonderful ford, in an attractive setting close to a handsome little town with a magnificent castle, provides a smooth but exciting passage for bold drivers of ordinary cars through about four inches of water for some 50yd. Signs, and a footbridge about 50yd away to the west.'

'I was in Northumberland a few weeks ago, staying not very far away from the Warkworth ford. However when I visited (by cycle) it was clearly impassible with the river being in spate (Image 3). The nearby footbridge was impassible too (Image 4).' Rob Weeks (18/09/2009)

'This ford is found on the Greenridge Burn at West Greenridge.'

'On well used C class road between Riding Mill and Healey - crosses March Burn. I have driven through a foot of water after prolonged wet weather.'

Whiteburnshank (x9!)

'It is situated north of Clennell,up into Kidland Forest and is the only way you can get to a place called Whiteburnshank. The water crossing the ford is called the Yoke Burn and enters the River Alwin about 20 yards further down (Image 1). The second ford is 50 yards beyond that crosses the River Alwin, the following frods are progressively upstream.'

'Ford on C class road through hamlet of Whitley Mill crosses Rowley Burn (between settlements of Whitley Chapel and Dalton) - normally a couple of inches deep - can get hairy after prolonged wet weather.'

'This byway ford at Whitshields is found at the edge of Cuddy's Wood.'

Whittingham (x2!)

'Here there are two excellent fords on this white road on the eastern edge of the village of Whittingham (pronouned "Whittin-jam", in the Northumbrian fashion).

The first ford is a deepish gravel ford about 30ft across, the more northerly of two marked on the 1:25K OS map on an unsurfaced but motorable back lane of this sturdy village. Footbridge, no signs or depth gauge. It is the bigger of the two, at 20m across and 9in deep (Image 1).

The southerly ford is 15m across and about 7in deep. A series of footbridges run alongside the two (Image 2).'

'The fords on the white road to the east of Whittingham in Northumberland are now out of bounds to motorised vehicles as the lane was reclassified as a restricted byway – much overgrown vegetation, pretty much silted up and certainly deeper than the quoted 7” – 9” in places anyway' Bob Hill

Whygate (x3!)

'All three of the famous Whygate fords, once much used by rallies on their way into the notorious Kielder Forest complex, have been sanitised to Irish bridge status. The first two (Images 1 and 2) lie close to each other, and have the full complement of Ford signs, footbridges and depth gauges; their sturdy build no doubt reflects their purpose of carrying heavy timber lorries.

The third Irish bridge is a kilometre to the west, and just has the Ford signs (Image 3). The road to here, and westwards beyond, was, until recently, tarred, and is still yellow on the OS 1:50K; but it is now gravel, in the style of the local Forestry Commission roads.'

'This Irish bridge would be passed unnoticed were it not for the small footbridge alongside.'

'I found this ford when i was walking from Wooler to an old farm in the hills called Commonburn House.It is just off the track/road opposite Browns Law and heads towards Wooler Common in the distance.It is obviously only used by farm vehicles but it is marked as a ford on the OS maps.'