Lying on the outskirts of the Northumberland National Park, Wooler is a gateway town not only to the park’s natural scenery but also the Cheviot Hills, making it a place popular with walkers. These distinctive rounded hills are a walker’s haven, with many visiting to take on the heights of The Cheviot, the highest summit at 815 metres. Walkers will also enjoy following the St Cuthbert’s Way, which passes through Wooler, and travels for 62 miles from Melrose in the Scottish Borders to Lindisfarne off the Northumbrian coast.
Chillingham Castle
More wonderful natural scenery can be enjoyed within the Northumberland National Park. This national park is one of the most tranquil in England and enjoys just as much beauty by night as it does by day. It’s the UK’s largest International Dark Sky Park, offering stunningly clear skies where you can enjoy unrivalled views of the stars.
With many isolated hills located around the town, Wooler is home to a number of ancient hillforts, the remains of which can still be seen today. These include the ramparts of Humbleton Hill and Yeavering Bell, which is the largest Iron Age hillfort in the region, home to an elusive herd of wild goats.
Another rare species, the Chillingham Wild Cattle, can be seen at the nearby Chillingham Park. Each of these cattle are genetically identical, and there is a population of just over 100, making them rarer than giant pandas – though, at one point, numbers dwindled to just 13.
The magnificent Chillingham Castle can also be found in this part of Northumberland. Visitors can take in the grandeur of the staterooms, as well as seeing the eerie torture chambers and dungeon, while you can also enjoy lunch in the medieval Minstrels’ Hall.
Just 2 miles south of Wooler, The Showfield plays host to the Glendale Show every year, an event which attracts more than 12,000 visitors. The largest country show in North Northumberland, the Show is a great showcase for rural life, with animal and livestock displays, demonstrations and more than 200 trade stands to browse.
“A welcoming town with plenty to see in the surrounding area…”
Within Wooler itself, you will find the local tourist information centre, the Cheviot Centre, where you can not only find out more about where to visit in the area but also see some interesting exhibits and displays, including the Millennium Cross-Stitch. There’s also a wide choice of places to eat and drink, be it morning, noon or night. The Milan Restaurant is renowned for its excellent Italian food, while the Black Bull Inn is a charming pub, and the Doddington Dairy Milk Bar serves delicious ice cream and milkshakes.
If you’ve been inspired to visit this pretty corner of Northumberland, take a look at our full collection of Wooler cottages for more holiday inspiration.