July 17th - Volume 4, Issue 7

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Hello from the Centre of Britain - well, three miles west of it anyhow!  Sandwiched in between Scotland in the north, The Lake District in the southwest, The North Pennines A.O.N.B  (area of natural beauty) in the south, and The Northumberland National Park in the east lie 2 small villages - Gilsland and Greenhead - 2 miles apart. Both were recently voted 2 of the most enterprising villages in the North East.

The area straddles the Northumberland/Cumbrian Border on the watershed. The Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site of the Roman Empire's most northerly Border stretches right through both villages. It is at this point where the wall climbs mightily over the craggy escarpment of the whin sill, a huge cliff of black dolerite rock which juts across the countryside almost from coast to coast, starting in northern Ireland where the giants causeway's hexagonal pavement of doleritestone sweeps down to the sea , and then re-appears at Greenhead, stretching along West to East.

The remains of the Roman Wall lie on top of it for some 20 miles before disappearing and re-appearing in small clutches, until it spills out into the north sea and the Farne Islands.  This unique stretch of wall beside Gilsland and Greenhead has the best and highest remains, due to the difficulty in recycling the stones into houses and stone farm walls from such a high and craggy terrain.

Wonderful walk routes and sightseeing trips have been mapped out for the visitor, with a fantastic introduction to this world Heritage site at the Roman Army Museum at Greenhead, with well planned routes exploring milecastles and turrets between this Museum and Birdoswald excavated Roman fort and Museum run by English Heritage at Gilsland.

There are Cycle routes too, and cycles can be hired locally.

The local countryside abounds with wildlife, small country lanes and wildflower and hedgerow walks, and there are also some special areas of moorland with rare species of mosses and reeds.

There is an exciting 18 hole golf course between Gilsland and Greenhead which actually crosses and re-crosses the Hadrian's Wall Heritage area with little footbridges to span the roman ditch dug approximately 2000 years ago.

There is much to do in this area in addition to visiting Roman remains and excavations and museums. There are often guided walks and talks by the Northumberland National Park Wardens; Craft fairs and Walking festivals are planned throughout the year; and you might find a roman soldier or two who will teach you how to put on your armour or fire a ballista.

Re-enactments are staged by English Heritage too, both Roman (at the Fort's remains) and Mediaeval at the 3 or 4 Castles in the area, all of course with their stories of ghosts.

Many villages have a "Show" once a year and whenever you come you will surely find one during your stay the Gilsland. One is in August. The Roman Wall show is in June, and here you can see the best of the farmers winning sheep and cattle, dog competitions, races for all ages , wrestling, horse gymkhana, and local winning produce of jam, cakes, photographs, art and flowers.

Farmers often plan farm walks for visitors. There are interesting tea rooms/cafes in and near the villages,  where local produce is on offer, selling homemade bread and cakes, and there is no shortage of  places to quench your thirst in a pub or in a hotel in Gilsland, or an Inn and Hotel in Greenhead. Most of them offer food, too.

There are so many attractions and things to do in the 2 villages that you may not have time for a day visit to the Lake District, the Scottish Borders, The North Pennines, or the Northumberland National Park. But for your shopping day, you might take a day off and go to the City of Carlisle or Newcastle Upon Tyne, or the Market town of Hexham.

All kinds accommodation are available to suit everyone's tastes and you can choose form hotels, guest houses, farmhouses, bed and breakfast, self catering cottages, camping barns, camping caravaning, or youth hostels and education centres. Wherever you choose, you can be sure of a warm welcome from your hosts who all have local knowlege of the area and can help you plan your visit. Please browse our list and contact the owners directly by telephone or email .

Holmhead  (once a farm) stands right on the line of Hadrian's Wall, in the world Heritage Site, and is built with stones from "the wall" so guests staying can actually say they have slept "on the wall". Choose from bed and breakfast in the main house or self catering cottage attached. For backpackers, there is a camping barn with bunks and shower/toilet+mini kitchen.

Holmhead owners have won many awards for enterprise, breakfasts, evening meals, environmental issues and "most wecoming experience" and are experts on the history and attractions of Hadrian's Wall, so can help you plan your visit .

There are further attractions listed in our web site due out soon.