Simonside Hills facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Simonside Hills |
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 Location in Northumberland
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| Location | Northumberland, England, UK |
| OS grid | NZ025985 |
| Coordinates | 55°16′52″N 1°57′43″W / 55.281°N 1.962°W |
The Simonside Hills are a beautiful group of hills in Northumberland, England. They are close to the town of Rothbury. These hills are a popular place for people who love to go hiking. Most of the hills are about 300 to 400 meters high. The very highest point is Tosson Hill, which stands at 440 meters tall.
If you enjoy rock climbing, you'll find some great spots here. There are several climbing areas, like Simonside North Face and Ravensheugh. These are perfect for single-pitch climbs.
What's in a Name? The Story of Simonside
Have you ever wondered how places get their names? The name Simonside has a cool history! Long ago, in 1279, these hills were called "Simundessete." By 1580, the name changed to "Simontside."
Many people think the name comes from "Sigemund's seat" or "Sigemund's settlement." Sigemund, also known as Sigmund, was a famous hero from old German stories. He even appears in an ancient English poem called Beowulf. Some stories say this hero was a dragon-slayer! So, the hills might be named after a legendary figure.
Folklore: The Duergar of Simonside
The Simonside Hills are home to an exciting local legend! People in Rothbury tell tales of a mythical creature called a deaugar. This name comes from an old Norse word for "dwarf."
The story says that the deaugar lives in the hills. At night, it tries to trick people by showing a lantern light. It wants to lead them into dangerous bogs or off cliffs. This is how it tries to harm them.
This old tale is still important today! In the village of Rothbury, there's an art gallery named Red Deaugar Art Gallery. It's named after this very creature. There's even an annual event called "The Duergar Nightcrawler." This is a 10-mile nighttime trail run through the Simonside Hills. It celebrates the spooky folklore of the duergar.
