VISIT
HALTWHISTLE
CENTRE OF BRITAIN
The perfect place for your walking, cycling, touring holiday.
We hope you enjoy looking through our website and finding out more about our town.
WELCOME
TO HALTWHISTLE
With more than 1000 years of history, Haltwhistle is a fascinating town and the geographical centre of Britain. It is a popular tourist destination and the main stopping point for visitors to Hadrian's Wall.
A PERFECT BASE TO EXPLORE NORTHUMBERLAND
As a base to explore the magnificent surrounding area, Haltwhistle couldn't be better positioned. Within one hour's drive to the west are Carlisle, Gretna & South West Scotland. To the North are Kielder Water, Bellingham and the Scottish Borders. To the East are the historical attractions of the large town of Hexham, the Northumbria Coast and the city of Newcastle. To the south are the wonderful open spaces of The Northern Pennines and small settlements such as Allendale.
A TOWN RICH IN HERITAGE
Haltwhistle is a small town in west Northumberland situated off the A69 main Newcastle to Carlisle road, 16 miles west of Hexham. It is a picturesque town with a rich border heritage.
Nestling beside the River South Tyne, Haltwhistle is the closest town to the stunning central section of the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage site and the Northumberland National Park, both of which are only about 2 miles (3kms) away.
Places of interest include : The medieval Holy Cross Church and the impressive Alston Arches viaduct. Nearby Hadrian's wall attractions such as The Roman Army Museum, Roman Vindolanda and Housesteads. Haltwhistle itself offers a variety of great places to eat, shop and stay with many independent establishments. The town is thus a favourite with walkers and cyclists.
RICH IN HISTORY
The area surrounding Haltwhistle has been populated since Roman times. One of the original spellings of the town's name Haut Whysile means high boundary.
The parish church is Holy Cross and is believed to date from the 9th century. Its earliest mention appears to be in a grant of 1178 by William the Lion of Scotland to the Abbey of Arbroath. The church also has a 7th century water stoup believed to have been used by St Paulinus.
In 1306 Edward I granted a charter to the town after his stay there on his way to fight the Scots.
During the medieval period, Haltwhistle like many other towns on the English-Scottish border, was subject to much feuding and raiding. A peel tower was constructed and several houses were fortified against these border raids. Many of these houses, known as bastle houses, still remain in Haltwhistle along with the peel tower which is now part of The Centre of Britain Hotel on Main Street.
In more recent centuries, the railway came to Haltwhistle in the 1830s with the building of the Newcastle to Carlisle railway. The railway is still in use today and makes good transport links to the cities of Newcastle and Carlisle. In 1801 the population was 453 and by 1851 this had risen to 1420. This dramatic increase in population can be said to be due to the coming of the railway and the industry that subsequently sprang up.
From the 18th-early 20th centuries Haltwhistle's industries included mining, farming, woolen mills, breweries, brickworks and limekilns.
WHERE IS IT?
Haltwhistle is a small town situated between Hexham and Carlisle in the north east of England. It has been nicknamed "the centre of Britain", because of its geographical position in the exact centre of England and Scotland. See our Getting here page for more details.
WHAT IS THERE TO DO?
Our picturesque town is just three miles from Hadrian’s Wall and a section of the escarpment which is the most spectacular and intact. It is a popular place to stop, especially with cyclists and walkers. (There are 22 circular walks through historic countryside bordering the town). A nature lover’s delight, Haltwhistle is surrounded by dramatic natural moorlands. With its quirky pubs, tea shops and restaurants, Haltwhistle is a delightful place for a vacaction.
WHY VISIT US?
A fantastic visitor destination within easy reach of Newcastle and Carlisle. Skirted by the Northumberland National Park and the North Pennines range, Haltwhistle is ideal for activity and family holidays, walking, cycling, fishing and climbing. Close to where the North & South Tynes meet, with many pretty villages dotted along both river valleys, there is much to explore and delight you.
EVENTS CALENDAR
This page is a guide to the main events planned in and around Haltwhistle for the upcoming months.
The full details of each event can be obtained by clicking on the event in the calendar, click more details and follow the link to the event website or open event poster.
Valentano
Our twinned towns
The Medieval town of Valentano north of Rome, is beautifully situated on a mountainside overlooking the largest volcanic lake in Europe, and in common with Haltwhistle, has strong links with Roman history and culture.
The beautiful old town of St Meen le Grand in Brittany has been twinned with Haltwhistle for almost 20 years, and also has a similar history and culture.
Our Exchange visits
People from Haltwhistle and the surrounding area make visits to both twinned towns, and enjoy a fascinating programme of activities. The visits are reciprocated, with our French and Italian counterparts visiting our nearby historic sites like Vindolanda.
HALTWHISTLE TOWN TWINNING
Why we embrace twinning.
Twin towns help Haltwhistle residents experience new cultures and have closer links to similar places in Europe. The aim is for the two communities to share ideas and information about their respective challenges and opportunities, and in doing so, find new solutions to problems and develop closer ties of friendship.
It also enables our young people to get involved with their counterparts from a different country, and thereby gain more self-confidence, worldliness, tolerance and understanding. This can lead to a better understanding of what Europe is and means in today's world – and where the future may lead us.
Twinning brings people together, allowing citizens of the twinned towns to experience and explore each other's cultures.
St Meen le Grand
CONTACT
Haltwhistle Chamber of Trade, Main Street, Haltwhistle NE49 9AE
HOW TO GET HERE?
Come by car along the A69 or the quieter B6318. Come by bus on the award-winning AD122 Hadrian's Wall Bus, which operates during the summer months and also stops at several other Roman sites en-route. Come by train on the Hadrian's Wall Country Line linking Newcastle and Carlisle via Hexham. Come by bike along the network of scenic cycle ways that crisscross the countryside around Haltwhistle. Visit our visitor page for more information and useful links.
CONTACT
Haltwhistle Chamber of Trade, Main Street, Haltwhistle
NE49 9AE
WHEN'S BEST?
Any time is a good time here! There is always something interesting to do in and around Haltwhistle all year round. We have plenty of "All-weather" attractions and there are festivals, markets and exhibitions sprinkled generously across our calendar. See our event calendar for upcoming events.
