Ovington

Civil Parish in Northumberland

England

Ovington

Ovingham Bridge Vital refurbishment work began on Ovingham Bridge in March 2014 <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4183039">NZ0863 : Refurbishment of Ovingham Bridge</a> It was re-opened to traffic 18 months later, on 3rd December 2015.

The River Tyne reached unprecedented levels on 5-6 December 2015 caused by Storm Desmond. Flood debris was caught by the bridge scaffolding and due to the high volume and speed of water pushing against it, the scaffolding was displaced downstream, much of it onto the supports of the adjacent footbridge.

The footbridge was closed to pedestrians as it was not designed to carry them and the weight of the scaffold. The road bridge was closed to vehicles for safety reasons until river levels drop and the foundations can be inspected to assess any damage. It is currently open for pedestrians and cyclists only. — Ovingham Bridge Credit: Andrew Curtis

Ovington is a small civil parish located in the county of Northumberland, England. Situated in the northern part of the country, it falls within the administrative boundaries of the Tynedale district. The parish is positioned along the banks of the River Tyne, offering picturesque views of the surrounding countryside.

With a population of around 300 residents, Ovington is a tight-knit community known for its friendly atmosphere. The parish consists of a mix of residential properties, including traditional stone-built houses and more modern developments. The village center features a handful of amenities, such as a local pub, a village hall, and a primary school, providing essential services to the residents.

Ovington is surrounded by natural beauty, making it an attractive destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The nearby Northumberland National Park offers stunning landscapes, including rolling hills, woodlands, and expansive moorlands. The park provides numerous opportunities for walking, hiking, and wildlife spotting.

Historically, Ovington has a rich heritage, with evidence of human settlement dating back to Roman times. The area boasts several archaeological sites, including the remains of Roman forts and a medieval motte-and-bailey castle. These historical landmarks attract visitors interested in exploring the region's past.

Overall, Ovington is a tranquil and picturesque civil parish in Northumberland, offering a peaceful lifestyle surrounded by natural beauty and a strong sense of community.

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Ovington Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.97062/-1.891742 or Grid Reference NZ0764. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Ovingham Bridge

Vital refurbishment work began on Ovingham Bridge in March 2014 NZ0863 : Refurbishment of Ovingham Bridge It was re-opened to traffic 18 months later, on 3rd December 2015. The River Tyne reached unprecedented levels on 5-6 December 2015 caused by Storm Desmond. Flood debris was caught by the bridge scaffolding and due to the high volume and speed of water pushing against it, the scaffolding was displaced downstream, much of it onto the supports of the adjacent footbridge. The footbridge was closed to pedestrians as it was not designed to carry them and the weight of the scaffold. The road bridge was closed to vehicles for safety reasons until river levels drop and the foundations can be inspected to assess any damage. It is currently open for pedestrians and cyclists only.

Andrew Curtis

Steps & footbridge, Whittle Dene

Whittle Dene is a wooded stream valley through which runs the Whittle Burn to join the River Tyne at Ovingham. Parts of Whittle Dene (or 'Dean' on old maps) consists of semi-natural, ancient woodland, continuously wooded since at least 1600. The long history has allowed a rich assembly of plants and a varied animal life to develop. Coppicing has been recently renewed and allows more light to penetrate the tree canopy, improving the habitat for wildlife. The Dene has an industrial past. At the southern end of the wood are the remains of a mill pond, a well, weir and derelict buildings – all that’s left of a water-driven flour-mill. The millpond has since become an overgrown carr, colonised by willow and alder, often with a colourful display of opposite-leaved golden saxifrage. At the southern end, there are several, privately-owned wooden chalets, summer houses with a woodland and stream-side setting. The northern part of the wood is managed by the Woodland Trust Link

Whittle Dean by Graham Harvey: Archive Link

Northumberland HER: Link

North East Mills: Link

Andrew Curtis

Path by Whittle Burn

Whittle Dean by Graham Harvey: Archive Link

Northumberland HER: Link

North East Mills: Link

Andrew Curtis

Prudhoe Station Level crossing and road from Ovingham bridge to the crossing

Clive Nicholson

Ovingham bridge during repair

Clive Nicholson

Prudhoe railway station, Northumberland

Opened in 1835 by the Newcastle & Carlisle Railway, later part of the North Eastern Railway. View north east towards Wylam and Newcastle, through the typically North Eastern Railway footbridge.

Nigel Thompson

Long shadows on the path above Whittle Dene

Whittle Dene is an exceptionally deep steep-sided and well-wooded valley managed by the Woodland Trust.

Oliver Dixon

Culvert on the path above Whittle Dene

The culvelrt is simply a large section of iron pipe. Whittle Dene is an exceptionally deep steep-sided and well-wooded valley managed by the Woodland Trust.

Oliver Dixon

Path above Whittle Dene

Whittle Dene is an exceptionally deep steep-sided and well-wooded valley managed by the Woodland Trust.

Oliver Dixon

Rock face above Whittle Dene

Whittle Dene is an exceptionally deep steep-sided and well-wooded valley managed by the Woodland Trust.

Oliver Dixon

Driveway from Whittle Farm joins the A69

The only road connection to Whittle Farm is via the dual carriageway A69. A private bridge allows access to and from the far, eastbound carriageway.

Oliver Dixon

A trailer full of muck

At Whittle Farm.

Oliver Dixon

Tractor fork lift at Whittle Farm

Having filled his trailer, the operator NZ0765 : A trailer full of muck over to the other tractor to shift the load of manure (see NZ0765 : A trailer full of muck).

Oliver Dixon

Whittle Farm

Farm on the south side of the A69. Also a mobile phone mast, believed to be Vodafone.

Oliver Dixon

Ovingham Bridge

This rickety structure, worthy of Heath Robinson, was constructed over the River Tyne in 1883. A parallel footbridge, no less rickety, was added in 1974. Patently inadequate for modern traffic, nevertheless the bridge was closed in June 2014 for 18 months for a £3 million refurbishment program. Almost immediately after reopening, it was closed by severe flooding for a further 9 months for repairs costing a further 1.4 million. Surely this sticking plaster solution is a case of throwing good money after bad. The small lozenge-shaped widening in the middle of the bridge is a passing place (sort of). The level crossing at Prudhoe Station lies just beyond the far end of the bridge.

Oliver Dixon

Ovingham foot bridge

This footbridge constructed in 1974 closely parallels the much older road bridge over the Tyne. The ancient Ovingham parish church can be seen beyond the bridge.

Oliver Dixon

Ovingham Bridge

The elegant iron trestles support the 19th century Ovingham Bridge over the River Tyne, a fine example of Victorian engineering perhaps, but totally inadequate to cope with 21st century traffic. The even more spindly legs beyond support the parallel footbridge added in 1974.

Oliver Dixon

The bridges at Ovingham

To the left, the road bridge over the River Tyne, built in 1883 and completely inadequate to cope with 21st century traffic; to the right the footbridge which was added in 1974,

Oliver Dixon

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Ovington is located at Grid Ref: NZ0764 (Lat: 54.97062, Lng: -1.891742)

Unitary Authority: Northumberland

Police Authority: Northumbria