An introduction to Tarset and Greystead

The crescent shaped parish extends over a total area of some 73 square miles of rugged countryside combining the two original separate parishes, now wards. The sparse population live in isolated dwellings and farmhouses across the fells and commons with two hamlets at Lanehead and Greenhaugh, the latter has an excellent inn serving good food.

The fells are dotted with the former industry of the area in the form of medieval stone pits, lime kilns and 19th & 20 century quarries. Industry today revolves around farming and tourism, the area is large and peaceful and ideal for the “getaway” holiday. The ward of Greystead is mainly laid to productive forest.

The fells also indicate the turbulent past of the area. There is the ruined Tarset castle, there are old bastles (defensible farmsteads) including the Black Middens Bastle House just north of Greenhaugh. The pele towers (defensible houses) and many other ruins date back to the 15th & 16th centuries.

Those defensible houses grew out of the rise of the raids of the Reivers, the robber and thieving gangs and families that roamed the border areas.

Selected Links

• The Hexham Courant [http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/]
• Northumberland County Council [http://www.northumberland.gov.uk]
• Northumberland Tourist Board [http://www.ntb.org.uk]

Local Information Categories for Tarset and Greystead

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