Wooler, Ford, Etal and the Till Valley offer a wealth of interesting activities to suit all tastes and a fascinating history to match.
Start in Wooler, the area's hub and gateway to the Cheviot Hills. It is an attractive, stone-built town set in stunning countryside that even caught the imagination of William Shakespeare who mentioned the magnificent backdrop of Humbleton Hill in the opening scenes of Henry IV.
Wooler offers an excellent base to explore the area - but don't forget to sample some of its original and independent shops. There's an antiquarian bookstore, The Cuddy Duck arts and crafts shop and even an original Victorian gift store.
Wooler lies in Glendale and west of the town you'll find the distinctive outline of Yeavering Bell, the summit of which is the site of the largest Iron Age hillfort in the north. Archeologists have found the remains of 130 ancient huts and you can take in a celebrated view from the top.
Further up the Glendale valley is the village of Kirknewton. Kirknewton's church is famous as the home of a strange Anglo-Saxon carving depicting three wise men wearing kilts, known as the `Kilted Magi'.
To the North East you'll find the Ford and Etal estates, an area that offers visitors everything from its own steam railway line to Northumberland's only thatched pub.
The estate is superb country for outdoor enthusiasts and footpaths and bridleways criss-cross the area. Cycle hire is available and there are numerous pubs, tearooms and restaurants offering refreshment when you've done your exploring.
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