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Some will say that pride of place in Hexham and Tynedale goes to Hadrian's Wall, however there is much more to the area than that - Hexham, with its vibrant shopping centre, the ‘County Gaol’ and superb Hexham Abbey, quaint, pretty Corbridge with its own wonderfully preserved Roman fort of Corstopitum, the beautiful scenery of the Tyne Valley, or the hidden gems, such as Beltingham with its historic church and amazingly old yew tree, the wooded walks at Allen Banks, or Bywell, with not one but two lovely Anglo-Saxon Churches on opposite sides of the same field!
To the south, the rounded hills of the Northern Pennines rise to over 2,200 feet at Kilhope Law, with winter ski-ing at Allenheads, whilst interesting small towns and villages nestle in the valleys, such as Whitfield, Allendale* and, of course,historic Blanchland, once described as "one of the most perfect villages in England".
To the north lies the North Tyne Valley and the wooded country of the National Park. The area has good fishing and some top-class golf courses, especially in the Tyne Valley.
For history fans, there are interesting castles at Langley, Aydon, Chipchase and, to the east, the particularly fine Norman castle of Prudhoe.
To the west lie other towns and villages ideally placed for visitors planning to see Hadrian's Wall - Haltwhistle, Bardon Mill, Greenhead and Gilsland. Visitors here should also make time to visit the Irthing Gorge and Waterfalls, right on the border with Cumbria. (Carlisle Castle just a short journey from the border)
Last but not least, Hadrian's Wall - seeing it all would take weeks, but visitors should at least try to take in some of the major sites at Housesteads, Vindolanda, Chesters and Birdoswald.
Also on the wall, east of Chollerford, is a cross commemorating the conversion of Northumbria to Christianity at "Heavenfield", where St. Oswald rallied his troops, before going on to defeat an invading Welsh army south of Hexham at Whitley Mill - an important site with a wonderful atmosphere!"
(* at Allendale An ancient New Years Eve ceremony involves a procession of "guisers" carrying blazing tar barrels on their heads to a midnight bonfire in the middle of the village)
"Welcome to Northumberland - Hexham & Tynedale"
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