This post features: Hexham, Alnwick, Warkworth, Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh, Morpeth, Berwick upon Tweed, Chillingham, Seahouses and Prudhoe
Hexham
The Castle:
The gaol was built in 1330 and is the oldest recorded prison in England – unhelpfully closed today The Gatehouse – later known as the Moot Hall
The Abbey:
Hexham AbbeyAround 673, Queen Etheldreda granted Bishop Wilfrid land for a new Benedictine monastery., which was completed in 678. The monastery suffered from Viking and Scottish raids before the dissolution in 1537. The east wing was rebuilt in the mid-19th century and the nave rebuilt in the early 1900’s…The Riot Act of 1714 was read out to the less than impressed citizens of Hexham…
The Town:
The market squareIn the market squareThe old town hallOne of two Methodist churches in HexhamThis one belongs to the Primitive Methodist Church. In 1932 the Primitives, the Wesleyans and the United Methodists to form the Methodist Church Hidden gemsThe sweet old bus station
Alnwick
The Castle:
The castle dates from the late 11th century – it became the home of the Percy family in the early 1300’sThe Percy family was elevated from Earl of Northumberland to Duke of Northumberland in 1766
The Town:
The market placeThe town hall dates from 1909Alnwick is a bugger to drive through thanks to the 15th century Bondgate Tower in the main road through the town…
Warkworth
The Castle:
The castle probably dates from the 12th centuryIt was the home of the Percy family from the 14th to 17th century
The Town:
Looking over Warkworth from the castleLooking over Warkworth from the castleSt Lawrence parish church
Bamburgh
Bamburgh Castle is clearly visible from SeahousesThere has been a castle on this site since the 6th century but it was Victorian inventor, Sir William Armstrong, who set about rebuilding and restoring it when he bought it in 1894…The grey block is Victorian…The village of Bamburgh
Dunstanburgh
Building began in 1313 and modernised in the 1380’s by John of Gaunt and again during the reign of Henry VIBy the late 15th century the castle had become too expensive to maintain and was in ruins by the 1670’s
Morpeth
The Town Hall was built in 1714 and rebuilt in 1869 as the previous one was destroyed by fire…This clock tower dates from the early 1600’s…The top floor houses the bells and this was added in 1705…Morpeth getting ready to celebrate the traditional Christmas lockdownThe 13th century Chantry is described as a former bridge chapel – although it is adjacent to a bridge rather than being on one – it later became a grammar schoolThe River WansbeckThe River Wansbeck
Berwick upon Tweed
The railway viaduct – built between 1847-50Berwick’s Elizabethan Walls are the only example of bastioned town walls in the country and one of the best preserved in Europe…The imposing town hall was built between 1750-61 and is regarded as one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the north of England, according to the plaque. Sounds a bit patronising…The old bridge The quayside and the 18th century wallsCharles Dickens stayed here twice: once in 1858 and again in 1861…Berwick’s second cinema, The Theatre, opened in 1928 and closed in 1969. In 2015 it was redeveloped as a restaurant and housing…The Church of the Holy Trinity and St Mary is one of the few churches built during Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth (1649-1660). It was completed in 1652 using money donated by King Charles I…The design is very simple as old Ollie didn’t approve of towers, spires and decorationsSt David’s Lodge – the old Masonic Hall – dates from 1872The old barracksIn addition to the Elizabethan walls, some of the medieval walls remain as do the 18th century walls down by the riverVery nice ice cream: Giacopazzi’s, made in Eyemouth…
Chillingham
The Castle:
Chillingham Castle dates from the 13th century. According to the website, it hasn’t changed much since Tudor times – www.chillingham-castle.comIt’s a bit higgledy-piggledyAnd the rooms are crammed with stuff
Herring fishing and curing became a major force in the life of Seahouses. During the summer months the harbour would be crowded with boats, both of local fishermen and from as far away as the Hebrides, Shetland Islands, and Cornwall…The Farne IslandsBamburgh Castle in the distance
Prudhoe
Prudhoe is pronounced as in Buddha, so: “pruddha”
Originally built between 1100-1120, as part of a series of Norman castles along the River TyneIn 1381 the castle was taken over by the Percy family (Dukes of Northumberland) who extended and modernised it.The castle was inhabited until the 19th century – see: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/…/makes-good-castle/
