Bedlington Station

Settlement in Northumberland

England

Bedlington Station

Netherton Road, Bedlington Credit: Richard Webb

Bedlington Station is a small town located in the county of Northumberland, England. Situated approximately 15 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne, it lies within the wider Bedlingtonshire area. The town is known for its historic significance, dating back to the medieval era when it was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.

The town's name is derived from the Old English words "Bedla" meaning "battle" and "dun" meaning "hill," suggesting a possible historical association with conflicts. Over the centuries, Bedlington Station has developed from a rural agricultural community into a thriving industrial town. Its growth was primarily driven by the nearby coal mines and railway network, which played a crucial role in the transportation of goods and people.

Today, Bedlington Station retains some of its industrial heritage, with remnants of colliery buildings and railway infrastructure still visible. However, the town has also diversified its economy and offers a range of amenities and services to its residents. These include local shops, schools, healthcare facilities, and recreational spaces such as parks and sports grounds.

The community of Bedlington Station is known for its strong sense of local pride and community spirit. The town hosts various events and activities throughout the year, including festivals, charity fundraisers, and sporting events. Its location amidst the picturesque Northumberland countryside also makes it an attractive destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with opportunities for walking, cycling, and exploring the surrounding natural beauty.

In summary, Bedlington Station is a historic town in Northumberland that has evolved from its industrial past into a vibrant community, offering a mix of heritage, amenities, and recreational opportunities.

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Bedlington Station Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.131639/-1.57808 or Grid Reference NZ2782. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Netherton Road, Bedlington

Richard Webb

Front Street East, Bedlington

Richard Webb

Front Street East, Bedlington

Taken from outside a hairdresser for dogs, looking towards Blyth.

Richard Webb

Power cables over the River Wansbeck

They run from the North Sea Link Converter Station at East Sleekburn.

Eirian Evans

Former Manager's House, Spring View, Bedlington

This house, which is a Grade II Listed building, was once the home of the Manager of the Bedlington Iron Works which lay approximately 1 kilometre down stream. It was built in the early part of the 19th century of tooled-and-margined stone with a Welsh slate roof. It sits high above the River Blyth with excellent views eastwards.

Geoff Holland

Victorian-Built Stone Terrace, Front Street East, Bedlington

Whilst alterations have been made over time to this stretch of Front Street East, not least to the house nearest to the photographer which appears to have originally been a shop, the terrace retains much of its original charm.

Geoff Holland

Post Box, Front Street East, Bedlington

This wall mounted box dating from the early part of the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) is one of the oldest post boxes in Northumberland, and Bedlington is an important part of British postal history. The first adhesive stamp, the Penny Black, and the official stationery, the Mulready wrapper, came into official use on 6 May 1840, but had gone on sale on 1 May. On 2 May, a letter was sent to an A. W. Blenkinsop at the Bedlington Iron Works using a Mulready wrapper, making it the earliest known use of a pre-paid adhesive stamp in Britain. Ironically, Mr Blenkinsop had died 9 years earlier so the letter was forwarded, with a 4 May postmark to his family in Carlisle. Mulready stationery describes the postal stationery letter sheets and envelopes that were introduced as part of the British Post Office postal reforms of 1840. The Mulready name arises from the fact that William Mulready, a well-known artist of the time, was commissioned to illustrate the part of the letter sheets and envelopes which corresponded with the face area. The plaque above the post box forms part of the Bedlington Heritage Trail.

Geoff Holland

'Gibson's', Front Street East, Bedlington

Due to their links with the Bedlington Iron Works, the Gibsons were well known in the town. They were nail makers and, at their peak in the late 18th century, up to 12 men would sit astride anvils, cutting split iron from the works to make nails. One of the women of the family would carry a sack of nails 5 miles to market in Morpeth. The Market Cross in the town is often referred to as the nail, both due to its shape and in recognition of the importance of that this trade was to the town. Later, the Gibson’s dealt in hardware and even banking. Parts of the smart shopfronts, some of which have been converted for housing, survive in this sand-built terrace.

Geoff Holland

Plaque, The former Gardener 's Arms, Front Street East, Bedlington

This plaque, which forms part of the Bedlington Heritage Trail, is affixed to the building that was once the Gardener's Arms. The town of Bedlington is known the world over for the breed of terrier that bears its name. They were first bred here in the early 1800s, and were popular for sport. By the mid 20th century, the terriers were the sixth most popular dog in the USA. The Gardener’s Arms was at one time owned by a Ned Metcalf, who was a famed Bedlington Terrier breeder and, ironically, the property is currently occupied by Robson & Prescott Veterinary Surgeons.

Geoff Holland

The Old Vicarage, Bedlington

This fine former three-bay vicarage, which is a Grade II Listed building, was built in 1835 with an earlier 18th Century predecessor retained but relegated to use as service wing. It stands slightly to the east of the Church of St. Cuthbert.

Geoff Holland

Former Barclays Bank, Bedlington

Formerly Barclays Bank, this fine brick-built building was originally a house. Dating from the late 18th Century it is a Grade II Listed building and is currently occupied by a firm of Lawyers.

Geoff Holland

Market Cross, Market Place, Bedlington

At an overall height of 4 metres, this Grade II Listed market cross makes its presence felt in Bedlington Market Place. The Cross, which is constructed of squared stone, is thought to have been erected in 1782, and in Victorian times it was a gathering place for public speakers. Protesters also made their mark with the radical working-class Chartists rallying support at the Cross in the 1830s against the so-called ‘despot’ of the Bedlington Iron Works, Michael Longridge. The Cross was nearly demolished in the 1970s, but luckily it was saved, and eventually restored in 2010.

Geoff Holland

The Sun Public House, Bedlington

This public house will be forever remembered as the infamous scene of a triple murder. On 15 April 1913, the publican, John Vickers Amos, was not best pleased at being asked to vacate the premises, and therefore barricaded himself in armed with a Winchester rifle. Tension grew all day as the stand-off continued and, by sundown, he had shot dead Sgt. Andrew Barton and P. C. George Mussell of the local constabulary, as well as a Mrs Grice, the wife of the publican due to replace him. Despite escaping to the fields behind the pub, John Vickers Amos was caught the following day. Despite popular support, including a 60,000-strong petition, he was hanged in 22 July that year.

Geoff Holland

The Grapes Public House, Front Street West, Bedlington

This smart house dating from the early 18th Century, which is a Grade II Listed building, was the boyhood home of Sir Daniel Gooch (1816-1889), famed railway locomotive and transatlantic cable engineer. He was the first Superintendent of Locomotive Engines on the Great Western Railway from 1837 to 1864 and its chairman from 1865 until his death. This house eventually became a pub and although it had several names, including The King’s Arms, it was commonly known as The Grapes due to the big brewery sign which hung outside for many years.

Geoff Holland

The Laird's House, Front Street West, Bedlington

This prominent Georgian building bears, on the stone door lintel, the date 1777 and the initials of George Marshall who farmed much of the land to the north. It is now, "an independently owned and family run, vintage designed hotel".

Geoff Holland

Trotter Memorial Drinking Fountain, Front Street West, Bedlington

This 1899-erected drinking fountain, which is constructed of red sandstone ashlar with white marble and pink granite, is Grade II Listed. James Trotter, was a Scottish doctor who used to holiday in Bedlington, and eventually moved here in 1864. He became a councillor and well-loved character spending his life battling to improve the town’s living conditions. As a consequence of his work, sanitation and water supply were revolutionised. He was also a respected speaker and writer with a wry sense of humour, earning him great affection locally. After his death, public subscription allowed the erection of this drinking-fountain in his honour. Unfortunately, the metal fitment for the dispensing of water has been removed and, therefore, the fountain no longer performs its primary function. However, it stands as a fitting memorial to a key figure in Bedlington’s past.

Geoff Holland

Trotter Memorial Drinking Fountain, Front Street West, Bedlington

The 1899-erected drinking fountain Link which is constructed of red sandstone ashlar with white marble and pink granite, is Grade II Listed. James Trotter, was a Scottish doctor who used to holiday in Bedlington, and eventually moved here in 1864. He became a councillor and well-loved character spending his life battling to improve the town’s living conditions. As a consequence of his work, sanitation and water supply were revolutionised. He was also a respected speaker and writer with a wry sense of humour, earning him great affection locally. After his death, public subscription allowed the erection of this drinking-fountain in his honour. Unfortunately, as can be seen in this photograph, the metal fitment for the dispensing of water has been removed and, therefore, the fountain no longer performs its primary function. However, it stands as a fitting memorial to a key figure in Bedlington’s past

Geoff Holland

Former Primitive Methodist Church, Front Street West, Bedlington

Like many other mining towns, Methodists were big in Bedlington. They first occupied a site at the eastern end of the town in 1823 but, as congregations grew, they sought a more central site for a new church. This one, which was opened in 1893, sits forward of other buildings on this side of the street and is said to have been built on part of the village green. The building has now been converted to a house.

Geoff Holland

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Bedlington Station is located at Grid Ref: NZ2782 (Lat: 55.131639, Lng: -1.57808)

Unitary Authority: Northumberland

Police Authority: Northumbria