Welcome to my final post for Tourism Week 2023! Today, I'm excited to tell you about Wooler, a charming market town that perfectly combines the tranquillity of the countryside with the vibrancy of city life. Located on the edge of Northumberland's National Park, Wooler is a paradise for hikers and bikers who want to explore the breath-taking scenery of the Cheviot Hills.
This small, stone-built market town boasts a bustling High Street with traditional shops, pubs, and cafes, as well as churches and buildings dating back to the 17-1800s. As 'the gateway to the Cheviots,' Wooler offers a wide range of activities for visitors, from hiking and biking to feral-goat-spotting and stargazing. In fact, Wooler is a fantastic destination for stargazing, as it is part of the county's Gold Tier rated Dark Sky Park.
One of the town's most unique events is the Glendale Show, which has been taking place every August bank holiday for almost 130 years. With live music, chainsaw carving, donkey classes, alpacas, and a fairground, the Glendale Show is a wonderfully unconventional day out. Additionally, Wooler hosts a number of other events throughout the year, so there is always something exciting happening in this rural hub.
If you're looking for a taste of local culture, be sure to visit the Ad Gefrin distillery museum, which has just opened its doors to visitors. This brand-new museum celebrates Northumberland's unique heritage, ancient hospitality, and contemporary crafts, arts, and produce, and re-awakens the Northumbrian tradition for Whisky distilling that has slept for over 200 years. Visitors can step back in time to the Royal Court of the 7th century Northumbrian kings and queens to experience the ancient spirit of hospitality and belonging. You can find out more about this amazing place and book tickets here: https://adgefrin.co.uk/
Lastly, I want to mention the Glendale Gateway Trust, a charitable community development trust based in Wooler. The trust supports the community of Glendale, one of the most sparsely populated areas of the country, by operating a community and business centre in Wooler, owning a number of commercial units on the High Street, and providing 20 affordable housing properties and a youth hostel.
So if you're looking for that middle-of-nowhere feeling while still having a market town buzz, be sure to add Wooler to your travel list. With its stunning natural beauty, rich local culture, and welcoming community, Wooler is sure to delight and inspire you.