There is some friction between the Northumberland County Council and the Haltwhistle Town Council as the grounds for refusal seemed to be very basic. The Haltwhistle Town Council suggested that because the original planning consent had not been utilised and the land had been left derelict for some time, the new application should have been refused. However, the Northumberland County Council was slightly bemused by this argument and indeed found no strong grounds for refusing the application.

One of the major plus points for the redevelopment of the area is the fact that it would clear a contaminated site and introduce a range of different styles of property to the area. There was some concern expressed regarding traffic and parking issues although as these have not changed since the original application there were no further grounds for refusal. It will be interesting to see how the Haltwhistle Town Council respond to this ruling by the Northumberland County Council and whether indeed there are further grounds for blocking the application.

Over the years we have seen a number of new developments emerging in and around the Haltwhistle region as the area continues to attract visitors from around the UK. There has been a massive change in the structure and the balance of the local economy over the last 20 years and indeed for many people who have moved away the area will be unrecognisable. Whether this application to refuse consent by the Haltwhistle Town Council signals a sea change in local planning applications remains to be seen but there is certainly some disagreement between the local council and the county council.

Even though the Haltwhistle Town Council also has little in the way of spending power it is a very useful mouthpiece for local residents and local businesses. The council itself consists of 12 members who are elected for a period of four years after which time there will be local elections. The council meets on the first working Monday of every month in the Haltwhistle Methodist Church Hall on the Main Street with members of the public encouraged to attend. This is the perfect opportunity for issues to be discussed, decisions to be taken and policies to be released to the public domain.

There are some who criticise local councils in the UK but the ongoing success of the Haltwhistle business arena is a perfect example of how a town council could and should work. Over the years we have seen many well-known residents of Haltwhistle joining the town council and using their general knowledge of the area and the people to further the environment. There are many issues which town councils will need to discuss on a regular basis and thankfully the vast majority of these are transparent and open to the public.

For those who complain about issues in and around the Haltwhistle region and fail to turn up at the town council meetings they can have little in the way of grumble. The monthly meetings also offer the opportunity to submit questions by letter which can be discussed at a later stage. If you are interested in the Haltwhistle Town Council, what it does and council members, then we suggest calling the Haltwhistle Town Council clerk, Michael Long, on 01661 852 104.

The Time For George visitor centre contains an array of watches and clocks with very different mechanics and themes. There is no doubt that the art of watch and clock repairs has fallen by the wayside over the last few years and indeed there are now very few specialists in this particular field. The ability to bring together children’s books in the name of Time For George and the watch and clock centre is something of a dream come true for Diana who is helped by her father’s grandchildren Jayne, Deborah, Hannah and James.

This is just one of many new and exciting ventures across the North of England and in particular in Northumberland. It is not only quickly becoming a hive of tourist attractions and tourist businesses but there are many budding entrepreneurs in the region. It is hoped that the Time For George visitor centre will attract both adults and children and add to the ever growing mix of businesses and services in the region.

If you have a venture or a new idea which you feel would benefit the Haltwhistle area then please drop us a line and we would be more than happy to discuss promoting your venture on our website.

For those who have visited Haltwhistle you will be well aware there are plenty of pubs, clubs and accommodation facilities. These facilities include everything from a family meal to a social drink with the locals and regulars. One thing that they all have in common is a thorough knowledge of the tourist market and a growing band of followers. The pubs and clubs in Haltwhistle include: –

Black Bull Pub

Spotted Cow Pub

There are also many other pubs, clubs and hotels in the Haltwhistle region which we will also be covering in the weeks and months ahead.

It is interesting to see how each of the pubs, clubs and hotels in Haltwhistle, and the surrounding area, has developed and changed over the years due to the ever increasing number of tourists. It is this ability to move with the times which has seen Haltwhistle grow into a major tourist attraction although when you bear in mind that the Roman Wall (Hadrian’s Wall) is just a few miles away it is not difficult to see why.

We will also bring you details of events, shows and other attractions in and around Haltwhistle because as we approach the summertime this is peak period for activity. If you have any shows, events or attractions which you would like to promote or advertise please contact us for further information.

There are many offers at the Splatz Haltwhistle venue and demand continues to grow as word continues to spread. So whether you are looking for a break from the children while they play or perhaps you have family party of birthday that you need to arrange, why not give it a try. Thankfully there is an eating area where you can purchase food while the children play and indeed give them something to eat and drink when they have finished.

In many ways it is difficult to find a relatively cheap way in which you can keep your children entertained and also give them much-needed exercise at the same time. You also have to take into account that safety is paramount and thankfully Splatz also takes this particular aspect very seriously. There are a number of special events, special offers and promotions and there is no doubt that they will certainly keep your children entertained for many hours. So whether you are looking for something to do during the school holidays, after-school or at the weekends then look no further.

We will look to bring you more exciting challenges for your children in the weeks and months ahead because Haltwhistle is a thriving area and attracting much attention.

There are actually deeds of title associated with the Blenkinsopp estate which was bought for the pricey sum of £2000 back in 1955. This must be one of the shrewdest investments we have seen for some time and perfectly illustrates the growing influence of the tourism industry in the Haltwhistle area. It will be interesting to see which parties play their hand with regards to the sale and whether we will see an overhaul of the Blenkinsopp estate in the future.

For those who have visited Haltwhistle and the surrounding area you will be well aware of the beautiful scenery and the history which can be matched by very few places around the world. It is attracting more than its fair share of tourists from not only the UK but also around the world and indeed the Haltwhistle economy has benefited enormously from this. There will be many employees and businesses in the region looking at the potential sale of Blenkinsopp estate and watching for any feedback and what kind of figure the estate finally goes for.

We will continue to monitor the situation in the weeks and months ahead and advise you of any changes in the process and indeed hopefully in the not too distant future we will be able to confirm the buyer. In the meantime if you have any stories or questions relating to Haltwhistle and the surrounding area and please feel free to get in touch with us.

It will be interesting to see who buys the estate and the castle because they are very different investments and offer very different attractions. The castle itself is for sale for £500,000 and not only contains a three bedroom grade 2 listed home but also the ruins of the original Castle. The residential estate has been put on the market for around £1.3 million and is certain to attract the attention of tourist companies around the UK as well as property developers.

Blenkinsopp Castle has been an integral part of the Haltwhistle landscape for many years now and attracted more than its fair share of tourists during this period. It is unclear why the current owners have decided enough is enough but there is no doubt there will be significant interest in the overall estate and the two separate elements. We will continue to monitor the proposed sale of Blenkinsopp Castle and the Blenkinsopp estate and report to you in the future.

The proposed sale perfectly reflects the ongoing increase in tourist activity in and around the region and the very fact that Haltwhistle is now one of the more popular tourist destinations in the UK. Hadrian’s Wall and its many attractions have caught the eye of tourists, from overseas and the UK, walkers and historians. While many in the region continue to suffer from the economic downturn there is hope that Haltwhistle will perform better than most in the area.

There are cameras in the area already although it is alleged that unruly behaviour is occurring outside of the view of current CCTV equipment. At a time when many towns and cities across the UK are demanding a reduction in CCTV cameras this perfectly reflects their use and their place in the community. Various areas of Haltwhistle have been hit by unruly behaviour over the last few months and it is ironic that the current bout of unruly behaviour is literally on the doorstep of the local police station.

It is vital that Haltwhistle maintains its image as a friendly tourist destination because many businesses in the region depend upon the income of visitors. There is no doubt that the council have more than played their part in promoting and expanding Haltwhistle’s tourist operation and will no doubt look favourably upon the request for further CCTV equipment. We will continue to monitor the situation and update you accordingly in due course.

The vast majority of campsites in and around Haltwhistle offer access to a range of traditional services such as shops, eating facilities and many will have a local country pub nearby. So while you have the opportunity to enjoy life away from the hustle and bustle of a traditional day you also have the luxury of services to hand as well. Campsites today are very different from those campsites of 10, 20 or even 30 years ago and standards have risen dramatically. They now offer excellent value for money as well as a range of complimentary services which do differ from location to location.

Some of the better-known campsites in and around Haltwhistle include: –

Yont The Cleugh Caravan Park

Seldom Seen Caravan Park

Many of these campsite locations have been around for many years and have a reputation for high quality services and excellent value for money. However, if there is one thing that they all have in common it is the ability to offer you some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK, access to some of the more historic sites of Britain and the opportunity to spend a day perhaps in Newcastle or Carlisle which are only an hour away.

There are many reasons why Haltwhistle is so popular with the tourist sector and there are many unique factors which need to be taken into account. You need to be there to live it!

The Manor House Inn is the old coaching house from years gone by offering character and a blast from the past for those passing through. For those looking at venues which are away from the crowded city centres of Newcastle and Carlisle, but within travelling distance, Haltwhistle is perfect for this. The main A69 road stretches from Carlisle to Newcastle, through Haltwhistle, there are regular bus services and the train station is literally 10 min from the Manor House Inn. You could be in Carlisle or Newcastle within the hour and back home in time for dinner.

For those looking for a little more subdued and relaxing activities you can take a walk across the Roman Wall, there are various cycle paths and Haltwhistle golf course is situated on the outskirts of the town. There are very few towns in the UK which can offer a rural feel just on the outskirts of the areas two largest cities, the views and the history associated with the Roman Wall and a welcoming atmosphere as well as quality accommodation.

So if you are looking for something a little different, something away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life then we can recommend the Manor House Inn in Haltwhistle. For further information and the opportunity to book now simply click here.