Nestled in the foothills of the Cheviots
A walkers’ paradise, Wooler sits on the edge of Northumberland’s spectacular National Park. This tiny, stone-built market town is home to a bustling High Street with a smattering of traditional shops, pubs and cafes, along with churches and buildings that date back to the 17-1800s.
Also known as ‘‘The gateway to the Cheviots’, Wooler’s location beside the rugged Cheviot Hills, where trickling streams weave their way through the plunging valleys, attracts hikers and bikers alike. Crumbling hillforts, the panoramic Border Ridge route and plunging waterfalls are scattered across the breath-taking scenery, and you can go feral-goat-spotting for the Neolithic breed that roam the hills.
Discover the Golden Age of Northumbria with a visit to Ad Gefrin, learning about the history and stories of kings and queens of the Anglo Saxon age, the perfect place for an immersive family day out. For those looking to sample local produce, Ad Gefrin is the first distillery of its kind in Northumberland offering English single malt whisky and gin.
Truly keeping tradition ticking, the town holds the annual Glendale Show, which has taken place every August bank holiday for almost 130 years. Live music, chainsaw carving, donkey classes, alpacas and a fairground are just a few of the eclectic activities that make this a wonderfully unconventional day out. Glendale Festival rocks the countryside once a year, and a number of other events can be found on Wooler’s events calendar.
Spend winter in Wooler for its out-of-this-world stargazing opportunities, as Northumberland National Park is part of the county’s Gold Tier rated Dark Sky Park. Kirknewton Town Hall sits on Wooler’s outskirts and is a dedicated Dark Sky Discovery Site, where you can park up, perch in your deck chair with a flask in-hand and stargaze into the early hours.