A couple of miles off the route to the south (access from road at Burn head, or footpaths via Great Chesters) Haltwhistle is a traditional market town in the beautiful South Tyne valley, lying between the North Pennines and Hadrian’s Wall. Haltwhistle is a popular base for walkers or those who wish to explore the area’s Roman heritage. The town is within easy reach of some of the best sites on Hadrian’s Wall, and offers a bus connection to the Wall all year round. The unusual name is not associated with the railway but goes back to Saxon times. Haltwhistle’s market takes place every Thursday in the quaint market place overlooking the town’s early English church and traditional blacksmith’s shop, as it has done since the 1300s. Haltwhistle also lays claim to being the geographical centre of Britain.