An appealing mix of the old and new.

Those who shop only in town centres could be missing out on a whole host of independent stores where good old-fashioned service is top priority.

Crawcrook, Ryton and Prudhoe have a wealth of independent shops and services and other attractions well worth a visit.

Ryton has a very interesting history. The Gothic Holy Cross Church is its oldest building and dates back to 1220.

The 18ft- high Market Cross on the village green is another distinctive local monument ( it was erected in 1795.

The village green has always played an important social role in the community. Hundreds of years ago several events were held there, such as May pole dancing and the hirings ( revived as a fun event in the seventies and eighties, involving hiring people as 'slaves'.

There is also a 12th Century 'Pinfold', where stray animals were kept. This historic site, restored by Ryton Heritage Group in 1974, is also worth a look.

One tradition still very much alive is the Ryton Festival of Music, Speech and Drama. This event is the biggest amateur music festival in the region and has been running for more than 50 years.

This year's Ryton Summer Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever. Held on the playing fields of Ryton School on Saturday, July 1, from noon, it is a great day for all the family. There will be rides, stalls, live music, food and refreshments, arts and crafts and much more. Evening entertainment will begin at 7pm with live music followed by a ceilidh featuring tunes from The Fiddler's Elbow. Entry costs pounds 2 for adults and pounds 1 for children and concessions.

Near Crawcrook, there is a well-known 18-hole golf course running alongside the River Tyne. The centre of Crawcrook has many small, independent shops, such as Swan's DIY which provides quality kitchens at trade prices.

Crawcrook library has lots of local information about places to visit and, while there, you can see the stained glass window, commissioned for the new library in 1992. 'Brought to Light' was designed by Sarah Richardson and explores uses of the library and enlightenment of its users.

Prudhoe is the main population and shopping centre in East Tynedale. Its attractions include the Waterworld leisure pool, the impressive ruins of Prudhoe Castle and, at Low Prudhoe, the Tyne Riverside Country Park.

The castle, on the outskirts on a wooded hill overlooking the Tyne, once protected the Umfravilles and the Percys, the two great Northumbrian families who had homes here. An exhibition and video in the attached Georgian manor house tells the history of the county's castles and their place in the Border wars.