Situated just north of Hadrian's Wall in picturesque Northumberland, the village of Colwell is off the A68 road, 25 miles south of the Scottish border.

The hamlet of Colwell is ideally situated for exploring Hadrian's Wall (nearest access point 4 miles) and Kielder Forest which houses Europe's largest man-made lake, Kielder Resevoir. From 1932-1935 W.H. Auden worked as a school master at Downs School, Colwell

The area is a delight for walkers, nature lovers and those who enjoy history. The ancient town of Hexham, with its 900 year old abbey and Corbridge, with its Roman remains, are both nearby.

Colwell is a sleepy village with a pub 3 miles away at Chollerford and more shopping opportunities in the small market town of Corbridge (5 miles) and larger stores at Hexham and Newcastle. There is a good commuter train service at Corbridge for regular trains to Carlisle and Newcastle.

This area is rich in heritage and beautiful panoramic landscapes. In the same parish of Chollerton, Colwell derives its name from a well-known spring, not far from the now almost forgotten site of another early capella. Interesting relics of primitive worship have been found in the locale and the spring used to be associated in a popular pilgrimage and the bringing of flowers, to dress the well on or about Midsummer Sunday.

Several other historic objects have been found in the area, including pottery as grave goods from burials at Colwell. A bowl containing a small round stone was found at Colwell of a known type of food vessel that dates to the Bronze Age (2500BC to 800BC). There is also evidence of the places Bronze Age people lived in the parish, with hut circles at Swinburne Park and north-west of Colwell.

Nearby is the Parish Church of St Aidan, Thockrington. Thockrington Church, the oldest parish church in Northumberland, is perched on an outcrop of the Whin Sill, about a mile to the north of the Hexham to Alnmouth 'Corn Road' between Colwell and Little Bavington, and some 700 feet above sea level. Despite its remoteness the church is visited by many who value its tranquillity, and its landscape.

The farm of Colwell Demesne was once a bastle built as a defence against attacks for reivers. One of the largest stones had letters carved on it, and it may be a reused carving of Roman date. The building has been much altered in C18 and C19.

A few hundred yards away from Colwell are the Hallington Lakes (Hallington Reservoirs on some maps). For fishermen Westwater Angling must be one of Northumberland's premier private trout fisheries. It is available to both members and day-ticket anglers who book in advance, the venue offers boats, tuition, self-help refreshments, toilets and fishing lodges.

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