West Bedlington

Civil Parish in Northumberland

England

West Bedlington

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

West Bedlington is a civil parish located in the county of Northumberland, England. It is situated approximately 12 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne and 6 miles southeast of Morpeth. The parish covers an area of about 5 square miles and is home to a population of around 2,500 residents.

The landscape of West Bedlington is predominantly rural, characterized by rolling hills, open fields, and scattered farmhouses. The parish is surrounded by picturesque countryside, offering stunning views and ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and horseback riding.

The village itself is small and quaint, with a charming mix of traditional stone cottages and more modern houses. It features a few amenities including a post office, a primary school, a village hall, and a local pub. The village also has a strong sense of community, with various events and activities organized throughout the year to bring residents together.

West Bedlington is well-connected to neighboring towns and cities via the A189 road, which runs through the parish, providing easy access to transportation routes. The nearby towns of Bedlington and Morpeth offer a wider range of amenities and services, including shops, supermarkets, healthcare facilities, and leisure centers.

Overall, West Bedlington offers a peaceful and idyllic setting for those seeking a rural lifestyle while still being within reach of urban amenities. Its beautiful countryside, close-knit community, and convenient location make it an attractive place to live or visit in Northumberland.

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

Unitary Authority: Northumberland

Police Authority: Northumbria