This article is about the Class III road numbered C278 maintained by Northumberland Council. For other roads numbered C278, see C278.
The C278 is one of Northumberland's longer C roads, running from Hexham southwards into the northernmost reaches of the Pennines. The route starts on the C282 Dipton Mill Road in Hexham and heads out of the town initially in a south eastward direction before turning southwards. After initially ascending as it makes its way into the countryside, the road descends again before long in order to cross the West Dipton Burn. At Juniper the road crosses the Rowley Burn and soon there is a TOTSO to the right with the road on the left being the beginning of the C280. This leads the road west towards Whitley Chapel where it meets the C282 once more. At its junction with the latter the road TOTSOs left to head south. The road generally gains altitude as it heads deeper into the hills. From Broadwell House the road heads south by Lilswood before turning left at two TOTSOs and providing access to Hesleywell. After the latter TOTSO the route meets rejoins itself back at Broadwell House.
