The Centre of Britain
Haltwhistle is located in the geographic centre of Britain, it is the closest town to the stunning central section of Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage site and the Northumberland National Park. Haltwhistle offers a variety of great nearby attractions such as Roman Vindolanda, the Roman army museum and Housesteads to name a few. A firm favourite with history lovers, walkers and cyclists.
This town is a nature-lover’s delight. If you arrive via the Pennine Way, a long-distance trail that bisects Haltwhistle, you’ll cut through dramatic countryside with sweeping moors and woodland.
Haltwhistle is a fascinating town and the geographical centre of Britain. It is a popular tourist destination and the main stopping point for visitors to Hadrian's Wall. A town rich in heritage! The area around Haltwhistle's market place has the largest number of surviving bastles in England, and these are marked by plaques so that visitors can follow a 'bastle trail'. One of the most prominent historic buildings is the Centre of Britain Hotel, built as a pele tower in the late 15th century. Haltwhistle is a small town in west Northumberland situated off the A69 main Newcastle to Carlisle road, 16 miles west of Hexham. It is a picturesque town with a rich border heritage. The AD122 bus is the main route serving Hadrian's Wall. The service operates daily from Good Friday until the last Sunday in September.
Skirted by the Northumberland National Park and the North Pennines range, Haltwhistle is ideal for activity and family holidays, walking, cycling, fishing and climbing.
The historic railway is still in use today and has good links to Newcastle and Carlisle. If you’re traveling by train, ensure you board a train to Haltwhistle on the Tyne Valley Line to appreciate the scenery.
With its quirky pubs, tea shops, and restaurants, as well as Northumberland's only open air swimming pool, there’s something in this welcoming town for everyone.