Population: 740. A North Pennines village in the unspoilt valley of the River East Allen. It is an ideal walking centre with some interesting gift shops and good accommodation. An ancient New Years Eve ceremony involves a procession of "guisers" carrying blazing tar barrels on their heads to a midnight bonfire in the middle of the village. Amongst the fans of North East author, Catherine Cookson, the valley is known as Mallendale as this was the setting for her "Mallen Streak" trilogy. The saga told the story of a family whose male members (including the illegitimate ones!) could be easily recognised by a white streak in their hair.
Tourist information about another destination in England