St Mark's offers breathtaking views over the remote West Allen valley and a fascinating local history and is on the Isaac Tea Trail North Pennines Heritage Walk.
Ninebanks, Northumberland
After the decline of lead mining, many of the miners left to find work in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Nowadays when their descendants visit they discover a place that has changed little over the years. For hikers on the Isaac Tea Trail walk, named after the tea seller and philanthropist from Ninebanks Isaac Holden, St Mark's is of special interest. Isaac was baptised here in 1805 and in later life he gave a hearse for the community. The Hearse House for Holden's hearse is still standing on the roadside nearby. The churchyard has a memorial dedicated by Parkin Lee, the Squire of Ninebanks to his parents, before he returned to Australia in 1854. He lost rather than made his fortune on the gold fields. A marble gravestone also commemorates the self styled poet of the dale, Robert Dodd, who fought in the American Civil War. The churchyard is a haven for wild life.
Keenley, Northumberland
The year 1750 is embossed in lead on the porch doorway and services are held once every fortnight. Inside there is a warm and welcoming atmosphere of a traditional country chapel complete with a pot bellied stove. Sheep and cattle graze in the next field and dry stone walls bound a woodland fringe and hay meadows. It is a place of peace and tranquillity.</span></span></p>
Whitfield, Northumberland
The church is a Grade II* listed building.
Beltingham, Northumberland
A regularly used beautiful old church. set in a quiet historical corner of Northumberland, it’s the finest example of 15th century Perpendicular style in the country.
