Warden Parish is a pleasant rural community, located a short distance from the popular market town of Hexham, in the beautiful county of Northumberland. The parish covers both the relatively modern commuter village of Fourstones and the original scattered agricultural village of Warden. Along with the nearby village (and parish) of Newbrough the area is locally known as the Stanegate after the Roman road of the same name that passed through the area.
The parish is nestled between the North Bank of the River South Tyne and the West Bank of the River North Tyne, with these two great rivers merging at Watersmeet in the South East corner of the parish. The rivers continue to be a major influence on everyday life in the parish from the Salmon fishermen that travel from far and wide to try their luck here, to the floods (such as Storm Desmond in 2015) that leave a lasting legacy on the low lying Haughs that run along the valley floor. To the North, the boundary follows the line of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hadrians Wall and its Vallum. Northumberland National Park begins in the North West corner of the Parish.
Fourstones grew up relatively recently around the Victorian era railway station and colliery, but has since evolved into a popular commuter village centered around the rare wooden church of St Aidans. Although no longer benefiting from an operational railway station or pub, village life continues to revolve around Fourstones Village Store. Only a stones throw over the parish border in Newbrough, other shared facilities can be found including Newbrough Primary School, Newbrough Town Hall & the Sportsfield. The major employers in the parish are the historic Fourstones Paper Mill which today produces mainly hygiene products, and the Lime House Estate which houses several small local businesses on the old colliery site.
Warden is made up of a collection of small hamlets, many of which are agricultural estates that over time have developed into small communities in their own right. High Warden, Low Warden & Walwick Grange all contain current or former farm buildings many of which have now been converted into residential properties as mechanisation has changed the way farms are managed. The hub of village life at this end of the parish is The Boatside Inn and St Michaels Church.
The Stanegate villages are lucky enough to still be served by a regular bus service which gives easy access into Hexham and Newcastle.