Fahrenheit 2023, Bamburgh

Tuesday 17^th October, 10:00 am to 1:00pm. The walk is run as part of the Northumberland Coast AONB series of geo-diversity walks.

Walk summary: “Stuff your eyes with wonder, he said, live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.” (Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451)

The temperature at which the Whin Sill was injected between the kilometre thick layers of Carboniferous sedimentary rock was over double that at which paper will combust, the Fahrenheit 451 of Ray Bradbury's dystopian novel. At over 1000 degrees Celsius the Whin Sill magma would have glowed a bright yellow, painful to the eyes, albeit this would have been impossible to do as the molten rock remained trapped a kilometre or so underground. 

This walk explores the rocks on this beautiful part of the coast which give the evidence for this story, showing what happens when hot magma and cold rock meet. The walk will also also help to explain the story of how the 300 million year old roots of Bamburgh Castle came to provide such a nicely defensible landform.

Do I need to book? This event has to be booked in advance. The walk costs £10 for each adult (children free). The walk will be limted to 20 people. To book a place on this walk please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and telephone number and I will send you bank details for Northumbrian Earth. Once you have made the payment I will confrm your place. If you aren't able to come on the walk for whatever reason please let me know, send me your bank details and I will refund the cost of the walk. Refunds will only be given if you get in touch prior to the walk.

Where do we meet? We meet by the War Memorial under the Castle. Grid reference NU 184 351 

How long is the walk? This walk will be approximately 5 km and will involve some scrambling across rocks on the foreshore. Strong boots are recommended and some may find walking poles helpful. 

What else do I need to know? Full details will be sent out on email to everyone who books.