Wooler is a small market town of grey stone on the edge of the Cheviot Hills, and the natural base for walking in the northern part of Northumberland National Park. The town itself is a high street with a few cafés, pubs and outdoor shops. The St Cuthbert's Way long-distance path from Melrose to Holy Island passes through on its way to the coast.
The Harthope Valley, a few miles south-west, is the classic way up The Cheviot, at 815 metres the highest hill in Northumberland. Closer in, Humbleton Hill above the town has the ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort. Wooler Common has easy waymarked walks.
East of the town, the Chillingham wild cattle have lived in the same enclosed park for at least 700 years.