The town of Haltwhistle in Northumberland considers itself to be the centre of Britain, and this was the first place that I stayed in mid-July after the lockdown earlier this year. The town has a lot of history, and I stayed at the Centre of Britain Hotel, which was a 16th century bastle house (another word for a house that was enforced for defense). The town is in the area known for the border reivers.
Outside Haltwhistle (but actually closer to the town of Bardon Mill) is Crindledykes Limekiln. They were erected in various palces in the country to convert limestone into the powdery quicklime for farming. This would help boost the nutrients in soil. The limekiln is a listed building.
Haltwhistle has some points of interest in the town. The market square has a stone and pavement decoration, and it contains some information boards. King Edward I and King Henrvy VIII stayed in the town and allowed a popular fair to be held here during the middle ages.
The town was a popular one for the border reivers. These were people who lived on the border between England and Scotland who would devestate the town. The feuds caused a lot of problems for the town. There is also a legend of one of the girls marrying a Scotsman Border reiver, and the couple were hanged because of the intermarriage not being accepted.
The border feuds were why defensive houses were build, such as what is currently known as the Centre of Britain Hotel. The hotel has secret tunnels (known as the Border Reiver Tunnels) underneath it too, but these have been blocked up and cannot be unblocked due to risking the stability of the buildings above ground.
The hotel has original features as well, from the beautiful fireplace to wooden beams. Visitors to the hotel or restaurant/pub can see the tunnel entrance and also discover more about the features of the old bastle house.
Lastly, Haltwhistle is in one of England's tourist towns due to it being close to the Roman Hadrian's Wall and ruins as well as beautiful Northumberland walks. I recommend a visit.
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