Wooler is a small town close to the Cheviot Hills and Northumberland National Park. For much of its history it has been a thriving rural market town, but over the past 200 years it has developed into a tourist destination.

The Glendale Local History Society has produced a book of history walks in and around Wooler. Here are some highlights.

The name Wooler is not connected with wool but may come from Old English “wella” or “wuller”, meaning spring or well. A large, decorative drinking fountain occupied Market Square from 1879 to provide clean water to thirsty workers on their way to and from work.

In 1855 there were 13 pubs and inns offering residents and travellers warm hospitality, companionship, food and ale.

Two imposing former bank branches can be seen on the High Street and Market Place. One used to be the Alnwick and County Bank, later becoming Martins Bank and then Barclays. The other building was originally the British Linen Bank and later Bank of Scotland.

The district of Glendale, which comprises the town of Wooler and a few surrounding villages, had a mounted police superintendent, an inspector, three police sergeants and 16 constables in 1897. Perhaps they were needed to control the patrons of the 13 pubs.

Tower Hill, known locally as the Tory, is thought to be the site of an ancient castle. Only a few fragments of a 16th-century tower remain. A war memorial stands on the hill today, commemorating the 88 local men who died in the two world wars.

There are at least six churches on the walk. Unsurprisingly, in a 2011 census, 72% of Wooler’s 4,266 residents described themselves as Christian. However, six people described their religion as Jedi Knights, so perhaps the figures are not wholly reliable.

The churches would have played a role in setting up facilities for the less fortunate, such as Countess Tankerville’s Steam Laundry, which provided work for young women. The Salvation Army ran it from 1902 to 1920 to rehabilitate so-called “fallen women”.

The steam laundry building has been demolished and a new project is under construction on the site. The Ad Gefrin Distillery Experience will, according to their website, be home to a world-class prestige single-malt whisky, and celebrate the unique heritage, local art, crafts, food and culture of Northumberland.

There are several antique shops and art galleries in the Wooler town centre, as well as an auction house and a bookstore or two, so it is well worth a visit.

This article first appeared on Thrifty Traveller.