Longtown

Situated on the north side of Hadrian’s Wall, only a couple of miles from the Scottish border, this is the last town in England. Its position on the River Esk so close to the border has influenced its history from earliest times. Longtown was planned and built in the late 18th century by local landowners, the Graham family. Dr Robert Graham laid out the town with wide tree-lined streets and established the Graham Arms as a coaching inn to cater for travellers to and from Edinburgh across the toll bridge.

On the outskirts of Longtown is Arthuret Church. The earliest records of the church date from 1150 when it was served by the monks of Jedburgh. But it is thought that the earliest church here may have been founded by St Kentigern in the 6th century; recent research has led some to believe that King Arthur was actually interred here after his last battle, Camboglanna, was fought a few miles east of Longtown at Gilsland. The present church, dedicated to St Michael and All Angels, was built in 1609, financed by a general collection throughout the realm, which James I ordered after a report that the people of Arthuret Church were without faith or religion. The people that he referred to, of course, were the infamous Reivers, ungoverned by either English or Scottish laws. Archie Armstrong, favourite Court Jester to James I and later to Charles I, is buried in the churchyard.

Just outside the town, Oakbank Country Park has four lakes, a bird sanctuary and a number of walks in 60 acres of grounds.

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