Slaley News! June 2025
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The Parish of Slaley
Set on a ridge six miles south of the Tyne valley, the village of Slaley provides an excellent starting point for visitors to this part of Northumberland. Today, Slaley is a thriving village that masterfully balances its rich historical roots with the amenities and dynamism of modern life. While still firmly set in a picturesque farming landscape of woods, streams, and fields, it offers a welcoming and active community for residents and visitors alike.
At the eastern end of the village, Townfoot is the site of the village's Commemoration Hall, given to the village in commemoration of the safe return of the Hunting family's sons.
To the north lies Juliet's Wood, one of Northumberland Wildlife Trust's newest reserves, while further south are the grounds of Slaley Hall hotel, with two golf courses and a network of footpaths open to all. The southern boundary of the parish looks over to the Derwent Reservoir.
To the West, Townhead at the junction with the B6306 road from Hexham, is the venue for the annual Slaley Show in August. The Show began its long history in 1848 and carried on through two world wars to the present day.
From the Hexham road you look west over woods and fields towards the valley of the Devil's Water, while to the south lies the extensive Slaley Forest.
Within the forest is the Ladycross stone quarry, one of the last hand-worked quarries in Britain, producing stone and slates for restoration work in churches and cathedrals from Durham to Canterbury. The surrounding nature reserve is open to visitors by arrangement. Rough roads thread the forest, and a sculpture trail can be followed, while the southern edge of the forest leads on to the open Blanchland Moor.
The Commemoration Hall remains at the heart of the village, serving as a versatile venue for meetings, events, and community activities, boasting modern facilities including a well-equipped kitchen and a new community room. The village benefits from a local community owned shop, and a wonderful community owned pub.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find much to love, with a network of footpaths and bridleways inviting exploration of the surrounding natural beauty, including the extensive Slaley Forest with its sculpture trail and rare red squirrel population. The southern boundary of the parish offers views towards the Derwent Reservoir, a popular spot for watersports and recreation.
The world-class Slaley Hall Hotel and Golf Resort offers luxurious accommodation, spa facilities, and two championship golf courses, attracting visitors and providing local employment. Slaley's convenient location, just five miles south of the market town of Hexham, provides easy access to a wider range of services, independent shops, and attractions, with excellent commuting links to Tyneside and Durham.
Slaley is more than just a place on a map; it's a living, breathing community that cherishes its heritage while embracing the future, offering a peaceful yet engaging rural lifestyle in the heart of Northumberland.
The History
A Glimpse into Slaley's Past
References to a settlement at Slaley date back to the time of the Norman Conquest, placing its origins firmly in the annals of early English history. It later became part of the significant Barony of Bolbec. Over the centuries, Slaley, like many border communities, bore witness to the turbulent times of Scottish invasions and the infamous Border Reivers, who harried towns and villages throughout the region.
Local industries shaped much of Slaley's past. Lead smelting was a significant occupation, with packhorse trains regularly carrying lead along the historic "Lead Road." Quarrying also played a vital role, and farming has remained a constant thread, continuing to be an important occupation to this day.
A testament to Slaley's enduring community spirit is the Slaley Show, which began its long history in 1848 and continues to be a highlight of the village calendar, carrying on through two world wars and adapting to the present day. The impressive Commemoration Hall, a central hub for village life, was a gift to the community by the Hunting family in 1922, celebrating the safe return of their sons from the First World War. To the south of the village stands Slaley Hall, an Edwardian mansion that was once a sporting estate and is now a hotel and international golf course.
Slaley Village green belt map
