Allen Banks and Staward Gorge

With a little help from many friends, the East side of Allen Banks is open. So whether you're in need of some peace and quiet, you love wildlife-spotting or walking is your thing. Come on down. Please remember that the West side remains closed for your safety, so follow the diversions in place. You're still sure to have a great time!

Venture outdoors and explore the woods at Allen Banks. See what wildlife you can spot on this woodland walk, venture past the Tarn, and hear about the history of this Victorian wilderness garden. Click here to download the walk...

We like to think of this as a pretty cool place anyway. But. If you also have a dog then it may just become thee best place ever! Please do keep them on a lead through the farmers fields and tidy up after them. Once you're into the woods, they can run wild and roam free. There's plenty of sticks and scents to choose from.

Allen Banks has been through quite a bit over the last year, so it's always nice to be kept in the loop about what's going on. To hear it from someone on the ground, Ranger Chris Johnson puts together a regular blog so that you can see what the team has been up to and what's happening at Allen Banks.

If outdoor jobs like maintaining footpaths, coppicing, fencing, dry stone walling and hedge laying are your bag, then perhaps becoming a volunteer could be for you? The practical conservation volunteer team meet every Thursday at one of five National Trust sites across the Tyne Valley - meaning you get to help with Allen Banks but some other pretty cool places too.

Found just 50 yards from the historical Housesteads Fort, this cottage was originally built in the 19th Century. Housesteads Farm (as it was then) was home to the Thompsons who farmed the area and also played a role as custodians of the Wall. Later, the sitting room was used by antiquarian John Clayton when he was working on the excavation of Housesteads Fort.

Springwell Cottage was converted from a pair of 18th Century farm workers' cottages making it extremely spacious and comfortable. Plus, it's set in wide open countryside with Hadrian’s Wall only half a mile away it's the perfect back drop! (Sleeps 6)

Just 200 metres walking distance to Hadrian’s Wall, Peel Bothy was built in the 1850’s and a plaque above the door records its opening by the late Queen Mother. A charming single-storey cottage perfect for a romantic getaway. (Sleeps 2)