Last updated 13:10, Monday, 14 July 2008

WHITFIELD, the hilly parish west of Allendale, was once sold for a hawk and a pound of pepper.

That was back in the 12th century when the Countess of Northumberland gave half of Whitfield to her chaplain in return for the falcon, and the rest to Hexham Abbey for a small sack of spice.
Today, Whitfield is a scattered farming community in an Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB). The road into the village winds steeply down a series of wooded hairpin bends which have earned the parish the name “Little Switzerland.”
You’ll find a shop, parish hall and pub, plus a popular first school about a mile outside the village.
The main road through the village – the picturesque and winding A686 to Penrith via Alston – was recently chosen by the British Automobile Association as one of the Top Ten Best Roads in the World.
This spring saw the launch of Parmontley Hall Country Lodges, Whitfield Estate’s brand new lodge park.
Situated within the AONB, in an idyllic location by the banks of the West Allen river, the lodge park will be home to 42 state-of-the-art timber clad holiday lodges.
The lodges will appeal to anyone wanting their own peaceful and tranquil holiday retreat in beautiful Pennine surroundings, both for short breaks and for longer holidays too, and will make an ideal base for exploring the area. The park’s 12-month licence means owners can make use of their lodges all year round.