Parishes to the South of Haltwhistle Northumberland
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 cottages cluster around the tiny chapel in the village. The little bypass means that the flowers can continue to bloom on the road's edge out of reach of most passing traffic now. 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 on 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.
Lambley: Formerly Harper Town, is a pleasant village overlooking the 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 contained six inmates. Nothing now remains but the bell from the nunnery which hangs in the church
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. The young people of Coanwood used to have to cross the 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!
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.
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 spectacularly beautiful country, halfway up the valley.
Kirkhaugh: A tiny village 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 visit by the incumbent!
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 Carlisle's 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
Alston: Is the highest market town in England, enjoying beautiful views of the fells and valleys of the North Pennines, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town is remarkable for its charming cobble-¬stoned main streets, 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 Mayor 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 specialist foods (such as exotic mustards and sausages, breads and pies) which have a reputation for high quality.