From newcastlecitybreaks.com
Haltwhistle is a traditional market town in the border county of Northumbeland which lies in the beautiful South Tyne valley. It is siutated between, and very close to, the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site, to say nothing of Northumberland National Park.
Haltwhistle is a popular base for walkers and those who wish to explore the area's fascinating Roman heritage and impressive natural scenery. The town is within easy reach of some of the best preserved sites, museums and roman forts on Hadrian's Wall, and offers a bus connection to the Wall in the summer months.
Despite its Medieval name Haltwhistle has a history going back much earlier when Ancient Britons settled in the surrounding hills. In 2nd century AD the Roman Legions arrived to defend this northern frontier of their empire resulting in the construction of Hadrian’s Wall, 73 miles long from coast to coast and now designated a World Heritage Site. There has been a recognised market here since King John licensed it in 1207, but it was the Border Reivers that gave the town its turbulent past. During this bloodthirsty, lawless time the buildings of the area were heavily fortified and remains of these can be seen today. Haltwhistle boasts more defensible houses than any other English town.
The coming of the railway in the 1840s opened up the town as a mining and quarrying centre until recent times when it has developed more as a service centre.
As well as laying claim to being the geographical centre of Britain, Haltwhistle certainly acts as a centre for walks of varying lengths and levels of difficulty, and boasts the second-largest open-air swimming pool complex in the north. The pool is heated to 85 degrees (like an indoor pool)and has great facilities for families, whether on a day out or a family holiday.
