OUR LOCAL AREA

Hexham - a market town in Northumberland with a rich history, scenic beauty, located a short distance from Hadrian's Wall and Northumberland National Park. With a magnificent abbey, Old Gaol, shops, galleries, and markets, Hexham is a perfect base for discovering the heritage and nature of Northumberland.

Corbridge – one of the most charming and historic villages in the heart of Northumberland, with independent shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants, where you can find everything from fashion to antiques. You can also explore the rich heritage of Corbridge Roman Town, a fascinating archaeological site that reveals the life of the ancient Romans in Britain. The River Tyne, which flows through the village offers lovely walks and views. 

Haydon Bridge - a village in Northumberland, between the National Park and the North Pennines.  The main characteristics are the two bridges crossing the River South Tyne: the picturesque original bridge after which the village was named (now restricted to pedestrian use) and a modern bridge which used to carry the A69 road.  

Haltwhistle - located directly in the heart of Great Britain. This Northumberland market town is home to woodland, quirky shops and restaurants, as well as home to the regions only open air swimming pool. 

Kielder – located directly inside Northumberland National Park, it`s home to England’s largest forest and one of Europe’s biggest man-made lakes. An area of nearly 580sq miles, known as the Dark Sky Zone and is the largest area of protected night sky in Europe which makes Kielder Observatory the best location for star gazing.

Gilsland – being 20 miles west of Hexham and 18 miles east of Carlisle, provides an ideal base for touring not only Hadrians Wall but also the Scottish Borders.  Its location allows perfect access to Thirlwall Castle, a medieval ruin constructed from stones from Roman times. This charming Cumbrian village allows great access to Birdoswald Roman Fort, with ruins, turrets and milecastles.

Brampton – built of local sandstone and situated in a hollow formed by a glacier during the ice-age, Brampton is an ideal location to explore the Cumbrain countryside.  Talkin Tarn Country Park, two miles south-east of Brampton, is a 65 acre lake set amid 120 acres of farmland and woodland.  About two miles south of Brampton is Gelt Woods RSPB nature reserve, where a rock with an inscription carved by a Roman soldier in the 3rd Century can be found.  

Carlisle – the only city in Cumbria, is one of the earliest human settlements established to serve castles along Hadrian’s Wall, yet today is known as a main cultural, commercial and industrial centre in the British Borders.  It is one of the only cities with a castle, cathedral and city walls still in-tact.