Cottages near to Kirknewton,Wooler

Kirknewton is a small village north of Wooler and halfway to the Scottish Border. It lies at the heart of Glendale , a valley formed by the confluence of the River Glen and Bowmont Water.

The area is rich in history, from the prehistoric displays at Maelmin , through the battlefield at Flodden , border reiver times and into the 19th century with the Collingwood oaks...there is plenty to see here.

There are some lovely holiday cottages to chose from, for instance

Those in the College Valley

and then

The Lodge

Croft Cottage

and

Mindrum Mill

So if you would like to explore this wonderful area of Northumberland then please give us a call.

Late neolithic and early bronze ages in Northumberland.

The late neolithic and early bronze age ran from 3000 to 1500 bc up here in Northumberland.

This was a time for the henge builders, burial cairns and excavations at Yeavering, Thirlings and at Woodbridge Farm. The land was becoming settled and the people had enough idea of continuity to build their settlements, bury their dead and believe in a future which would always be provided for in this rich landscape.

The nearest market town is Wooler.

Mesolithic history in Northumberland

This story board from Maelmin talks about the mesolithic era. From 10,000 BC , when the ice sheets retreated, through to approximately 4,000 BC, when farming began to be established.This was the time of the hunter gatherers who wandered across the country side.

As the ice melted the sea levels rose and Britain became separated from Europe. Around 6500 BC the temperatures were at their highest, up to 2 degrees centigrade higher

than the present day. Vast broad leaf forests would have covered the landscape and the area would have been rich in fauna and flora.

We have beautiful cottages to rent across the fertile Northumberland plains. The area is tranquil and unhurried. From Bamburgh and Seahouses on the Northumberland Coast across to the Cheviot Hills you are guaranteed a lovely vacation.

Maelmin and thirlings

This story board from Maelmin talks about how the settlement was created back in approx. 650 AD. As you look out over the airfield you are told that the settlement lies below the surface, visible from aerial photographs.

You can see the timber fence, great hall and settlements. Very similar to what has been found at Ad Gefrin near to Yeavering.

What is a Henge?

We see henges referred to time and time again up here in Northumberland...but what exactly is a henge?

Well this story board from Maelmin helps to answer the question.

Its a circular open air temple. It has an outer earth mound, an inner ditch and uprights of wood or stone.

So the next time you are reading about the ancient history this is what a henge was!

Maelmin, ancient heritage trail near Millfield

Maelmin is a strange place. It's just off the A697 between Wooler and Coldstream and hiding behind a memorial to the fallen in WW2. Not an obvious place of interest.


Basically when excavating the nearby airfield a house from around 500 AD was unearthed. This house has been reconstructed here...


The site has the following attractions

A dark age house

A mesolithic hut.....pictured here

A henge





and lots of story boards.

Overall this is a much understated attraction.It's well worth a visit and the chances are you will be the only one here.

Other local attractions include Flodden and of course the College Valley.

WW2 Memorial at Millfield

We had previously blogged about the memorial to lost airman in the Cheviot so it was a surprise when we came across this unexpectedly




The memorial is just off the Wooler to Coldstream Road on the right hand side.Its just before the Gliding Club and next to the Maelmin Heritage trail.

You can see some of the names of the fallen here




Sometimes it's surprising what you can turn up in corners of Northumberland.