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Following the route of the Alston branch line |
The following information has been taken from the booklet -
Haltwhistle Historic Parishes - Hadrians Wall Country.
Produced by the Haltwhistle Partnership.
Haltwhistle: The town
The name Haltwhistle, earlier Hautwysel, is believed to be derived from its location, signifying either The high hill by two rivers or The watch on high. In either case this would have much to do with the oval shaped mound called the Castle Hill, which was fortified from ancient times by an earthworks and castle, parts of which remained until the mid 1960s.
The traditions of Northern friendliness still exist here in Haltwhistle. You might be surprised to find that the locals have time to stop and pass the time of day and there are many local historical family names still trading in the community. The town retains many of the quaint olde worlde character and charms of a bygone era and you are likely to sense the more leisurely pace of life. No need for you to hurry.
Start to wander around the Market Place and you will come across the 13th Century Church of the Holy Cross. Close by is the Centre of Britain Hotel with its Pele Tower incorporated into the building. Follow the Reiver Trail around the town and you will see five other Bastle Houses (defensible houses) all of which date back to the Towns intense Reiving past.
Relatively modern industrial archaeology is also in evidense as you wander the area. A short stroll from the town centre is Haltwhistle Burn and a walk which reveals part of the towns industrial heritage, now surrendered to some outstanding natural wildlife.
Despite its Mediaeval background, the aara around Haltwhistle has a history going back to the Bronze and Iron Ages when settlements dotted the surrounding hills.
It was in the first century AD that the Roman Legions arrived to defend this northern frontier of their Empire; firstly with their network of forts on the Stanegates (roads), and later with the construction of the permanent stone-built Hadrians Wall with its sophisticated combination of forts, milecastles and turrets. alongside this magnificent piece of Roman engineering is the Hadrians Wall National Trail, which has already become a classic long distance walk spanning the 83 miles from coast to coast.
King Canute (1016-1035), the Danish King who took over the English throne on the death of Athelred, also played a significant role in Haltwhistles history when he gave Northumbria to Siward the Dane, probably in about 1023, as a marriage dowry.
There has been a recognised market here since King John licensed it in 1207. The settlement was razed by Robert the Bruce and was administered by the Scots for many years. Indeed, the 13th Century Church of the Holy Cross is believed to have been built to a Scottish design and originally came under the jurisdiction of the Abbott of Arbroath.
Its most turbulent period was during the 16th and 17th centuries when Border families raided to and fro across what at the time were known as the Debateable Lands stealing cattle and engaging in bloody family feuds.
The minerals found in the North Pennines to the south of Haltwhistle by the Romans were rediscovered during the Industrial Revolution when a new prosperity brought a network of railways to the North Pennines with Haltwhistle becoming a key junction within the network to both Carlisle and Newcastle. With new industry came a growing population, new skills and new wealth to the community.
The town continues to be centre of activity for the Historic Parishes. It has retained many of the historical features and boasts a well cared for, traditional high street with a range of family run businesses to suit all tastes. It prides itself on good service, quality goods and value for money.
Places to visit: The Parishes in the South
The Villages
To the South of Haltwhistle are the North Pennines, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The villages of the beautiful South Tyne Valley and the North Pennines, are in outstanding walking country and offer the chance to see rarities such as Black Grouse and Hen Harriers.
Park Village
Park Villages cottages cluster around the tiny chapel in the village. The little bypass means that the flowers can continue to bloom on the roads edge out of reach of most passing traffic now.
Featherstone Camp
Below Park Village lies Featherstone Camp. In the early 1940s, a training camp for American troops was built beside the river at Featherstone. It was nicknamed Death Valley by the inmates because of its isolated location, but the Americans soon made way for Italian prisoners of war and then intransigent German Officers. Between 1945 and 1948 some 25,000 Germans were housed at Featherstone Camp. There were many compounds surrounded by barbed wire and watch towers. The camp was highly regarded and was one of the six most successful rehabilitation camps in the country, known as the camp of confidence and also as the University of the Tyne.
The regime was relaxed in 1945 when Lt Col Vickers became Commandant; the divisions, watch towers and barbed wire disappeared to be replaced by parole, voluntary labour outside the camp, workshops and political or cultural courses. The role of Captain Sulzbach, the camp interpreter from 1946, was important in the success of the camp to rehabilitate prisoners. He was a Jewish refugee from Germany who had been decorated by the German Emperor in World War One and went on to be awarded the OBE by King George VI for dedicating himself to making this camp a seed bed of British-German reconciliation. There were three orchestras and two theatres in the camp and instruction in all modern and classical languages. Toys and puppet-shows helped local children through the war and post-war years!
Remains of the camp survive today as foundations and a scattering of brick buildings in the parkland and visitors come regularly from Germany to maintain the spirit of friendship.
Featherstone Castle
Just over two miles to the south west of Haltwhistle, is the picturesque Featherstone Castle. The oldest part of the castle still standing dates back to the 14th century, which is a tower built by Thomas de Featherstonehaugh in the 1320s. The most recent additions date from the 19th century. The Featherstonehaughs retained ownership of the castle until the 18th century. It is home to one of our more famous ghost stories concerning Abigail Featherstonehaugh who lived in the late 17th century. The legend says that she was to marry a neighbouring Barons son, but was in love with a local Ridley. As the bridal party rode the bounds of the estate, the spurned lover made an attack, but the new bridegroom put up a good fight. All were killed in the fray. At midnight the sound of horsess hooves were heard outside the castle, the door opened into the banqueting hall and the ghostly apparition of Abigail and the rest of the party entered. The Baron fainted at this spectral procession. It is claimed the ghostly wedding party can be seen each 17th January in Pynkins Cleugh.
Lambley
Lambley, formerly known as Harper Town, is a pleasant village overlooking the River South Tyne. Lambley used to be the site of a small convent of Bendictine Nuns, founded by Adam de Tindale and Heloise, his wife, in the 12th century. The Scots led by William Wallace devastated it in 1296. However it was restored and at the time of the suppression of religious houses by Henry VIII it contained six inmates. Nothing now remains but the bell from the nunnery which now hangs in the church.
To the west of Lambley
To the west of Lambley are Kellah and Halton Lea Gate. These moorland villages belonged to the heyday of mining and coke manufacture producing the goods to be transported on the Earl of Carlisles Railway (hauled by The Rocket, no less!) Today it is almost a wilderness as you look onto great swathes cut into hillsides and valleys alike. With your imagination it is possible to picture the scores of men who eked out a living in this harsh environment.
The Lambley Viaduct
Lambley Viaduct, this stone built viaduct is on the South Tyne Trail. It stands below Lambley village and strides across the gorge of the River South Tyne, 110 feet above the river. It is worth a walk or a cycle out to for the breathtaking view from the top.
To the south of Lambley
Coanwood, lying some four miles to the South of Haltwhistle, is a very rural community best known for its fine beef cattle and sheep. This area became a Quaker stronghold when the Wigham family came to the area in the mid 16th century. The Wighams produced many Quaker preachers, some of whom travelled the country. Coanwood used to have a coal mine and coke ovens which provided fuel for the many lime kilns in the county of Northumberland. The young people of Coanwood used to have to cross the River South Tyne, at the bottom of the steep ravine, and climb up the other side to attend dances in Lambley, only yards away as the crow flies!
Burnstones Viaduct is another excellent example of a skew viaduct, it is situated across the road near the Kirkstyle Inn.
Eals village lies on land reclaimed from the river - hence its name - a narrow, fertile strip with a vital footbridge over the river. Its road bridge was swept away in the massive flood of 1770.
The village of Slaggyford, sits on the line of the Pennine Way long distance Trail. It once held an annual fair and was famous for making nails. It stands in a spectacularly beautiful country, halfway up the valley.
The tiny village of Kirkhaugh is home to an unusual church, the only Anglican Church in England dedicated to the Paraclete or Holy Spirit. It was modelled on a Bavarian church having steep sloping roofs for the snow to slide off and a narrow spire after an inspiring holiday by the incumbent!
Alston is the highest market town in England, enjoying beautiful views of the fells and valleys of the North Pennines, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town is remarkable for its charming cobble-stoned main street, three-storey town houses and its Market Cross in the centre of the town, originally donated by a former inhabitant of the town who became a Lord Major of London. A stroll around the lanes in the town will reveal many appealing sights and places of interest. There are numerous small shops, an Arts and Crafts Gallery and some of the locally produced specialists foods (such as exotic mustards and sausages, breads and pies) which have a reputation for high quality.
The South Tyne Trail
The South Tyne Valley Trail, running from Haltwhistle to the Source of the Tyne, through a valley of outstanding scenic interest and variety, this is a fantastic journey that features in the local Walking Festivals. For more information either contact Haltwhistle Tourist Information on 01434 322002, fax 01434 321544 or Alston Tourist Information on 01434 382244, fax 01434 382255.
For more information about the South Tynedale Railway, please contact:-
THE SOUTH TYNEDALE RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY,
Registered Office Address:-
The Railway Station, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3JB.
Telephone 01434 381696.
Talking timetable - Telephone 01434 382828.
Registered Charity No. 514939.
Limited by Guarantee: Company Registration No. 1850832 (England).
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This page was last updated on 19th April 2007.
© South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society 2007.