Haltwhistle

Romans knew a good spot when they saw one. Haltwhistle sits bang in the middle of Hadrian's Wall country, where ancient stones tell stories of empire and frontier life. The town itself is proper no-nonsense Northumberland - working market town with a railway station that connects you to Newcastle and Carlisle, but it's what lies beyond the high street that draws people here.

Cawfields Quarry cuts a dramatic gash in the landscape, its flooded depths creating an unexpected lake that reflects the sky on still days. This is where Hadrian's Wall shows off - the remains march across the countryside here, with some of the best-preserved sections just a short walk from town. Mr George's Museum of Time offers a quirky diversion, packed with timepieces that tick and chime in delightful chaos.

Walkers love the peaks that surround Haltwhistle. Great Watch Hill and Chesters Pike provide cracking views across the South Tyne valley, while Great Black Pike tests your stamina with a proper climb. The countryside here feels wild and windswept - miles of moorland broken by stone walls and the occasional farmstead.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The railway puts you an hour from Newcastle, while the A69 brings drivers straight through town. For exploring this slice of the Wall, staying at one of the holiday parks makes perfect sense. Herding Hill Farm offers both camping and glamping just outside town, while Hadrian's Wall Campsite puts you right in the thick of things. The surrounding countryside begs for exploration - Bellister Wood provides gentle walks when the fells feel too demanding, and the various archaeological sites scattered across the landscape reveal layers of history stretching back millennia.