The peaceful working village you see today belies Wark’s turbulent history.

Wark was once the capital of North Tynedale and stands on the site of a Norman motte and bailey castle, the remnants of which can be seen as the grassy hill directly opposite Battlesteads Hotel. A castle probably stood here in earlier times as the Anglo-Saxon name of Wark, signifies an earthwork. Stones from the castle and nearby Roman wall have been incorporated in many of the village’s buildings.

From Norman times, Tynedale was a ‘Liberty’ – an area of land so remote from the centre of power it was allowed a degree of independence – often held by the Scottish Kings. Wark and its district were in fact technically part of Scotland until 1296, when it was retaken for England by King Edward I.

Tudor times were an age of culture and discovery, but in Northumberland lawlessness ruled. Constant war forced people to live by raiding and thieving cattle and sheep on both sides of the border. “Border Reiver” families like the Armstrongs, Robsons, and Charltons raided and thieved from each other. The Liberty was abolished by Henry VII in 1495 and from this time the Tynedale clans or ‘Graynes’ like Robson, Milburn, Dodd and Charlton increasingly became a law unto themselves. Even Tynedale priests were described as “evil and irregular” and Thomas Wolsey closed the Tynedale churches in 1524.

Chipchase, one of the most picturesque castles in Northumberland, lies on the eastern bank of the Tyne not far from Wark. It was built around a fourteenth century pele tower in the 1700s and is one of the finest Jacobean period buildings in the County. For many years the castle was the home to a border family called the Herons, who were the Keepers of Tynedale. Because of its wild and lawless history on the very edge of the kingdom, Northumberland has more castles, bastles and fortified pele towers than anywhere else in the world! The Chipchase Garden Nursery is worth a visit

Bellingham (pronounced Bell-ing-jum), a village on the North Tyne, four miles north of Wark is regarded as the modern capital of North Tynedale. It is situated right at the heart of what was once part of Northumberlands Border Reiving country. The nearby Hesleyside Hall was the home to one famous Border Reiving clan, the Charltons who derived their name from the hamlet of Charlton, to the west of Bellingham. In the uppermost reaches of the River North Tyne, to the east of Bellingham, is the huge dam of Kielder Water, the largest man-made lake in Europe. Kielder stretches along the North Tyne Valley for about seven miles, has 27 miles of shoreline and a surface area of 2684 acres. It features many outdoor sporting activities including shooting, fishing, riding, boating, windsurfing, walking and much more.

The Roman Wall

Hadrian’s Wall crossed the River North Tyne only a few miles south of Wark, near the Roman fort of Chesters (CILURNUM) and the modern day village of Wall. This fort was one of the biggest in the Wall Country and was originally built to house a cavalry regiment

The site is best known for the foundations of a Roman Bath House, which is one of the best preserved in Britain. Upstream the valley beyond here is entirely to the north of Hadrian’s Wall.

Further afield are Hexham Racecourse for lovers of the turf and, within an hours driving distance, both Beamish Open Air Museum (an amazing experience for historians and families alike – especially when they demonstrate Victorian sweet-making and give away free samples!) and Alnwick Castle and Gardens which will be linked with ‘Harry Potter’ for an entire generation.

Battlesteads

Converted from and 18th Century farmstead this hotel and restaurant has a traditional Northumbrian bar with a cosy real fire and a selection of regional ales, both bottled and cask, keg beers and a list of over 20 wines.

Carriagehorses of Wark, Northumberland - a pair of black Friesian horses, elegant wedding carriages and carriages for hire for all kinds of special events throughout the North of England and the Borders.

The Black Bull is a traditional Northumbrian Inn, with parts of the building dating back to the 12th century. Situated on the edge of the village green in the pretty village of Wark, a warm welcome awaits both visitors and locals alike.