Bedlingtonshire

Area in Northumberland

England

Bedlingtonshire

Field, Netherton Beside the A192. — Field, Netherton Credit: Richard Webb

Bedlingtonshire is a charming area located in Northumberland, a county in the northeast of England. With a population of around 18,000 people, it is a small but vibrant community that offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes. The area is made up of several towns and villages, including Bedlington, Choppington, and Nedderton, each with its own unique character.

One of the notable features of Bedlingtonshire is its rich industrial heritage. In the past, coal mining played a significant role in the local economy, and remnants of this history can still be seen in the form of old colliery buildings and structures. The area has gone through significant changes over the years, transitioning from an industrial hub to a more residential and commuter-oriented region.

Nature lovers will find plenty to explore in Bedlingtonshire, as the area is surrounded by beautiful countryside and green spaces. Plessey Woods Country Park, located nearby, offers picturesque woodland trails and a tranquil riverbank setting. Additionally, the coast is easily accessible, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy seaside walks and stunning views of the North Sea.

Transportation options in Bedlingtonshire are convenient, with good road connections to nearby towns and cities. The A189 road passes through the area, providing easy access to Newcastle upon Tyne, which is approximately 15 miles away. The region is also well-served by public transportation, with regular bus services connecting the various towns and villages.

Overall, Bedlingtonshire is a delightful area in Northumberland that offers a mix of historical charm, natural beauty, and convenient amenities. Whether one is looking for a peaceful countryside retreat or a place to call home with easy access to urban amenities, Bedlingtonshire has much to offer.

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Bedlingtonshire Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.129345/-1.616122 or Grid Reference NZ2481. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Field, Netherton

Beside the A192.

Richard Webb

The Foulger, Nedderton

Richard Webb

Arable land, Nedderton

Richard Webb

B1331, Nedderton

Richard Webb

Daffs off Netherton Lane, Bedlington

Richard Webb

Netherton Lane, Bedlington

Richard Webb

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

Plessey Woods Country Park

A former quarry.

Richard Webb

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

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Bedlingtonshire is located at Grid Ref: NZ2481 (Lat: 55.129345, Lng: -1.616122)

Unitary Authority: Northumberland

Police Authority: Northumbria