Lowick is a conveniently located, attractive and  peaceful village for those visitors who can appreciate a relaxed, unrushed atmosphere  and  a 'laid back' pace of life.  It is away from the busy 'Tourist' orientated centres in the region, but can still provide many of the facilities.  There is always a genuinely warm and friendly welcome, which exists throughout the village in general, and in the 'social atmosphere' of the local hostelries in particular.

It is affectionately known locally as "Lang Lowick", due to the fact it is almost a mile long, but was originally only as wide as the Main Street.  In latter years,  however, expansion, in the form of a few new houses and  cul-de-sacs, has increased the width, though not by much, so the name is still appropriate.

  "Lowick 'o' the 'twa' Moons" (or for the benefit of Sassenachs and Non-Geordies, 'Lowick of the two Moons') is another somewhat obscure name, which, according to what I've been told (since I am still an 'Incomer' with only 20 years standing), refers to an occasion when a late evening reveller saw there was one moon in the sky and another in a pool of rainwater and exclaimed "Look, Lowick's got two moons".  I have no idea if there should be any significance attached to the purported nationality of the reveller, which I don't intend to disclose, and I can't vouch for the accuracy of the story, so 'don't shoot the messenger', but you can be guaranteed that one or more of the local public houses would definitely be involved.

The village is an integral part of the local farming community, although  there are  several disused lime kilns from days gone by, when  lime  production was an important local  industry.  Many of the wagon ways have long since gone, but a lot of the original routes can still be traced over the surrounding terrain.  Some of those which survived, became access roads to local farms, whilst others have become  part of the extensive network of bridle ways and footpaths, which meander throughout this majestically attractive region of Northumberland.  

There is every possibility that a few of the valleys, gullies and ponds may owe their existence to the presence of the lime quarries, which were worked long ago and then abandoned, and have now blended into the geographical contours of the countryside.  The beauty of the area may very well have been enhanced by such oversights.

Lowick 'straddles' the Devil's Causeway, which actually dissects the village at the crossroads.  To the East is Kyloe Woods, which is reputed to have the largest variety of trees in the World, but if  you decide to explore, be careful not to get lost, as the term 'woods' is extremely deceiving.  St. Cuthbert's Cave is a few miles  to the  South-East and the famous St. Cuthbert's Walk passes through the  immediate vicinity.  Barmoor Castle is on the outskirts of the village to the West and The Historic Town of Berwick upon Tweed is to the North.

This is a region of rugged, open countryside, quiet villages and hamlets, stately castles, picturesque buildings and cottages and even a stately home which appears to have escaped from a 'Disney Movie', not forgetting, of course, the ubiquitous village pubs, which I can assure you, are well worth a visit.  

And if you should happen to see a poor lost soul, propped up against the bar, why not buy him a drink?, as it could quite possibly be me.

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"A Northumberland Childhood" ~ Reminiscences of Jim Barber (1908 ~ 1999)

Jim Barber, Lowick Hall Farm, wrote his account of childhood in Wooler and Lowick in 1991 at the age of 83.  Thanks to him, we have a vivid portrait of life, 100 years ago, just before the First World War.

"Time can lie heavily on your hands when you are old and I thought that in the early months of this year I would occupy myself in the self indulgent task of writing about my childhood as I now remember it"

The Barber Family have agreed to this publication of Jim's memoirs in aid of the Lowick Village Hall Restoration Fund.  Copies of Jim's book cost £7.99 and are available from Lowick Village Store or by contacting Mrs. J. Colgan, Tel: 01289 388523 (postage charges will apply).

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