Museums, archives and heritage in Northumberland

Northumberland, the most northerly county of England, bounded N. by the river Tweed, which separates it from Berwickshire, NW. by the Cheviot Hills, separating it from Roxburghshire, E. by the North Sea, S. by Durham, and W. by Cumberland; greatest length, N. to S., 70 miles; greatest breadth, E. to W., 53 miles; area, 1,290,312 acres, population 434,086. Somewhat triangular in outline, Northumberland possesses a varied surface, principally rugged, and rising gradually from the coast to the hill ranges of the Cheviots on the borders of Scotland and Cumberland. In the centre of the county the hills are undulating, and clad with green; in the W. and SW. they are bleak, and covered with moss and heather. On the coast are the Coquet, Fern, and Holy Islands. Allenhead, in the extreme S. of the county, is the highest inhabited district in England, its altitude being 1400 ft. Fertile valleys stretch from spurs of the Cheviots eastward towards the coast, and the county is well watered by several celebrated rivers, the Alne, Coquet, Wansbeck, Till, Tyne, and Tweed. In those localities where farming is most diligently pursued – i.e., near the coast and in the valleys – the soil is a rich clayey loam. Barley, wheat, and beans form the chief crops; and a considerable and lucrative employment is found in the rearing of the famous Cheviot sheep, also of short-horned Durham cattle. Among anglers the Northumberland rivers and their estuaries are held in high repute for the excellence of their sport, and their fisheries also have a high commercial value. A large number of boats are employed in the sea fisheries. Geologically the conspicuous feature of the co. is its immense coal formation, producing about 20,000,000 tons a year; other districts consist of various sandstones, and the porphyry, trap, and limestone of the Cheviots. The lead mining district is in the S., in S. Tynedale and Allendale, but of late the industry has suffered through foreign competition. In addition to coal and lead works, with their auxiliary employments, Northumberland has an enormous industrial system, shown most prominently by the ironworking, ship-building, ropemaking, chemical manufacture, glass making, pottery making, &C., on the Tyne. The county is divided into 9 wards and 541 parishes, and includes the parliamentary and municipal boroughs of Morpeth, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Tynemouth, and the municipal borough of Berwick upon Tweed.

– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)

Note: see Tyne & Wear for Newcastle, Tynemouth and North Shields.

Alnwick Castle

Alnwick NE66 1NQ

01665 511 100

www.alnwickcastle.com

Alnwick Castle is Britain’s second largest inhabited castle; home to the Duke of Northumberland’s family for over 700 years. Combining magnificent medieval architecture with sumptuous Italianate interiors, Alnwick Castle starred as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films and more recently featured in ITV’s Downton Abbey.

Aydon Castle – English Heritage

Corbridge NE45 5PJ

www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/aydon-castle/

01434 632450

Aydon Castle is a wonderful family day out. Set in beautiful woodland surroundings the 13th century manor house has plenty to inspire children and is perfect for summer picnics.

Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery

14 Bailiffgate

Alnwick NE66 1LX

01665 605847

www.bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk

Bailiffgate Museum depicts the history of Alnwick and the surrounding part of Northumberland in exciting and interactive displays as well as with traditional artefacts. Visitors can experience ten thousand years of history in one visit as well as enjoying the ever changing exhibitions in our gallery.

Bamburgh Castle

Links Road

Bamburgh NE69 7DF

01668 214515

www.bamburghcastle.com

Bamburgh Castle is probably the finest castle in England. It is perched on a basalt outcrop on the very edge of the North Sea at Bamburgh, Northumberland.

Belford & District Hidden History

Reading Room, 11 Market Place

Belford NE70 7NE

www.belfordhiddenhistory.co.uk

Small museum open to public since 2012.Our vision is to create a local museum to embody the spirit and history of Belford and the surrounding district, and through its welcoming and inspirational approach, to play an active role within the village, and to serve as a focus of attraction for visitors to the area.

Bellingham Heritage Centre

Station Yard, Woodburn Road

Bellingham NE48 2DF

01434 220 050

www.bellingham-heritage.org.uk

The Heritage Centre, Bellingham, is the local museum of the North Tyne and Redesdale areas of Northumberland, situated in the former railway station. We have exhibits on the Border Reivers, the Border Counties Railway, mining and farming.

Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens – English Heritage

Belsay

Nr Ponteland NE20 0DX

01661 881636

goo.gl/kthQf2

There’s something for everyone at Belsay. Explore a spectacular medieval castle, a Greek Revival 19th-century mansion and thirty acres of stunning Grade I gardens linking the two.

Berwick Museum & Art Gallery

The Clock Block, Berwick Barracks, Ravensdowne

Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 1DG

berwickmuseum.org.uk

A collection of local social history and fine and decorative art set in a historic barracks complex. The international art comes from the collection of Sir William Burrell.

Berwick Record Office

Berwick Record Office Council Offices Wallace green

Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 1ED

01289 301865

www.experiencewoodhorn.com/berwick-record

The Berwick-upon-Tweed Record Office was established in 1980 as a branch of the then Northumberland County Archives Service. It holds records relating to the former Borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed which extended from Berwick, south to Ellingham, west to Ingram and north to Carham on the River Tweed.

Border Library

First Floor Moothall, Market Place, Hexham; All contact via: Dept of Leisure & Tourism, Prospect House, Hexham NE46 3NH

Hexham NE46 3NH

01434 652351

Library collection housed in the Moothall courtroom. Books and music relating to the English-Scottish Borders area.

Brinkburn Priory – English Heritage

Longframlington

Morpeth NE65 8AR

0870 333 1181

goo.gl/qIX01O

The beautiful 12th century church of the Augustinian priory of Brinkburn survives completely roofed and restored. Picturesquely set by a bend in the River Coquet, it is reached by a scenic ten minute walk from the car park.

Cherryburn – National Trust

Mickley

Stockfield NE43 7DD

01661 843 276

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cherryburn

Cottage and farmhouse, the birthplace of Thomas Bewick: * Birthplace of Northumberland’s greatest artist and engraver * Fascinating exhibition of Bewick’s life and work * Demonstrations of old-fashioned woodblock engraving and hand printing.

Chesterholm Museum

Bardon Mill

Hexham NE47 7JN

01434 344277

www.vindolanda.com

Chesterholm Museum – Vindolanda is a Roman Frontier military and civilian site, which has been the location of extensive excavation for over 30 years with archaeologists on site. Vindolanda also offers an Open Air Museum featuring replicas of a Roman temple, Roman shop and house.

Chesters Roman Fort & Museum – English Heritage

Hexham NE46 4EU

01434 681379

goo.gl/7zgLzT

Chesters Roman Fort was built to guard the Roman bridge which carried Hadrian’s Wall over the River North Tyne. The entire foundations of the headquarters building are visible and, down by the river, the bath house is extremely well preserved.

Chillingham Castle

Chillingham

Alnwick NE66 5NJ

01668 215359

www.chillingham-castle.com

This remarkable castle with beautiful gardens and grounds has, since the twelve hundreds, remained in the same family line. You will see active restoration of complex masonry, metalwork and ornamental plaster as the state rooms are gradually restored. Steeped in the nation’s history it occupied a strategic position as a fortress during Northumberland’s bloody border feuds. Take a step back in time and relive the eerie atmosphere of the torture chamber and the chilling dungeon, not for the faint hearted.

Corbridge Roman Town – English Heritage

Corbridge NE45 5NT

01434 632349

goo.gl/PlVkNo

On the pivotal north side of the Tyne, Corbridge played a vital role in the Roman conquest of northern Britain. The fort dates from AD139, when the Emperor Antoninus Pius once more advanced the Roman frontier into Scotland.

Cragside – National Trust

Cragside

Rothbury NE65 7PX

01669 620333

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside

Lord and Lady Armstrong used their wealth, art and science in a most ingenious way, and Cragside house was the first in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity.

Dunstanburgh Castle – National Trust

Craster

Alnwick NE66 3TT

01665 576231

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunstanburgh-castle

Built on the most magnificent scale, Dunstanburgh Castle stands on a remote headland. The castle was built at a time when relations between King Edward II and his most powerful baron, Earl Thomas of Lancaster, had become openly hostile. Lancaster began the fortress in 1313, and the latest archaeological research indicates that he built it on a far grander scale than was recognised, perhaps more as a symbol of his opposition to the king than as a military stronghold. The earl failed to reach Dunstanburgh when his rebellion was defeated, and was taken and executed in 1322.

Etal Castle – English Heritage

Etal TD12 4TN

01890 820332

www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/etal-castle/

In 1341 Robert Manners was granted a licence to fortify his home to protect against the threat of attack from Scottish raiders. In 1513, when an army of 30,000 Scots led by James IV invaded England, Etal Castle fell to the Scots but the invaders were defeated in the bloody battle which ensued on Flodden Hill. An award-winning exhibition tells the story of the Battle of Flodden and of the border warfare which existed here before the union of the English and Scottish crowns in 1603.

Fusiliers Museum of Northumberland

The Abbot’s Tower, Alnwick Castle

Alnwick NE66 1NG

01665 602152

www.northumberlandfusiliers.org.uk/index.php

The museum was founded to perpetuate the history of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers and to show its continuation as part of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The museum maintains a collection of uniforms, medals, weapons, paintings and memorabilia relating to the various historical campaigns in which the regiment has fought.

George Stephenson’s Birthplace – National Trust

Street House

Wylam-on-Tyne NE41 8BP

01661 853 457

Birthplace of the world-famous railway engineer: * Northumbria’s smallest National Trust property * Furnished to reflect domestic living in 1781, the year Stevenson was born here * White stone miners cottage * Picturesque riverside path along the old Wylam Colliery wagon-way.

Hadrian’s Wall & Housesteads Fort – National Trust

Haydon Bridge

Hexham NE47 6NN

01434 344363

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hadrians-wall

Housesteads is the most complete example of a Roman fort in Britain, and one of the most popular sites on the Wall. Perched high on the exposed Whin Sill escarpment, it commands breathtaking views.

Heatherslaw Corn Mill

Heatherslaw Mill, Ford Forge

Cornhill-on-Tweed TD12 4TJ

01890 820 338

On the banks of the River Till, this is the only working water-driven cornmill in Northumberland which continues a tradition that stretches back over 700 years on this site. The fully restored mill machinery still makes high quality, stoneground, wholemeal flour from wheat grown in the surrounding fields, and visitors can explore the building, watch the milling process from beginning to end and see our 21st century millers at work.

Hexham Moothall & Gallery

Gilesgate

Hexham NE46 3NH

01434 658351

15th-century building with a gallery in the tunnel-vaulted basement. A variety of exhibitions mounted by local artists and crafts people.

Hexham Old Gaol

Old Gaol, Hallgate

Hexham NE46 1XD

01670 624523

www.hexhamoldgaol.org.uk

The Old Gaol is the earliest documented purpose-built prison in England. It was built by order of the Archbishop of York 1330-33.

Collections: Arms and armour from the C15th and C16th Items of local history (Tynedale) interest, photographs, documents and objects Border Library holds the Butler Collection, books, tapes and manuscript music relating to the culture of the Borders.

House of Correction

Tyne Green Road

Hexham NE46 3NH

01434 652351

Remains of Hexham House of Correction (1783-1865), including men’s day and night cells, cell doors, barbed windows, displays on history.

King’s Own Scottish Borderers Regimental Museum

Berwick Barracks, The Parade

Berwick Upon Tweed TD15 1DG

01289 307426

www.kosb.co.uk/museum.htm

The history of the regiment from 1689 to 2006 is traced through displays of uniforms, badges, medals, weapons and relics from the various campaigns in which it has been involved. Tableaux and dioramas dramatically bring to life the regiment’s battles and aspects of the soldier’s profession.

Lady Waterford Hall

c/o The Estate Office, Ford Village

Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 2QA

01890 820 224

Lady Waterford Hall was commissioned in 1860 by Louisa Anne, Marchioness of Waterford, and owner of Ford Estate. The building served as a school until 1957 and in its heyday had as many as 134 local children on the register. As well as being a very generous lady who was concerned with the welfare of the estate workers and their children, Lady Waterford was also a keen amateur painter and spent 22 years decorating the interior of the Hall with Biblical scenes as a teaching aid for pupils.

Lindisfarne Castle – National Trust

Holy Island

Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 2SH

01289 389244

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lindisfarne-castle

Romantic 16th-century castle with spectacular views, transformed by Lutyens into an Edwardian holiday home. Dramatically perched on a rocky crag and accessible over a causeway at low tide only, the island castle presents an exciting and alluring aspect.

Lindisfarne Priory – English Heritage

Holy Island

Berwick Upon Tweed TD15 2RX

01289 389200

goo.gl/Yp0d11

Originally home to the Lindisfarne Gospels and the site of grisly Viking attacks, a visit to Lindisfarne Priory is a great day out in Northumberland. Sitting offshore on Holy Island and reached by a causeway at low tide, the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful views from the priory make a visit here well worth the effort. Lindisfarne Priory was an important centre of early Christianity, and the home of St Cuthbert.

Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum

Bridge Street

Morpeth NE61 1PD

01670 500717

www.morpethbagpipemuseum.org.uk

This unusual museum specialises in the history and development of Northumbrian small pipes and their music. They are set in the context of bagpipes around the world – from India to Inverness. An ingenious sound system brings the pipes to life – each visitor may listen to the music through personal headphones and learn the difference between a rant and a reel.

Norham Castle

Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 2JY

01289 382329

www.english-heritage.org.uk

Commanding a vital ford over the River Tweed, Norham was one of the strongest of the border castles, and the most often attacked by the Scots. Besieged at least 13 times – once for nearly a year by Robert Bruce – it was called ‘the most dangerous and adventurous place in the country’. But even its powerful 12th century keep and massive towered bailey walls could not resist James IV’s heavy cannon, and it fell to him in 1513, shortly before his defeat at Flodden. The extensive 16th century rebuilding which followed, adapting the fortress for its own artillery, is still clearly traceable.

Northumberland Archives

Woodhorn, QEII Country Park

Ashington NE63 9YF

01670 528080

www.experiencewoodhorn.com/collections/

Now based within Woodhorn Museum in Ashington and providing free access to numerous records for local and family historians alike.

Northumberland County Libraries, Arts & Archives

County Library Headquarters, The Willows, Gas House Lane

Morpeth NE61 1TA

01670 534514

www.northumberland.gov.uk

Northumberland County Library seeks to collect all published items relating to Northumberland, its history, geography, customs, language and people, as well as materials by local authors or with a local setting. This collection provides invaluable source material for the student and serious researcher as well as pleasure for the general reader and information for the enquirer.

Prudhoe Castle – English Heritage

Prudhoe NE42 6NA

01661 833459

goo.gl/tVw53g

On a wooded hillside overlooking the River Tyne stand the remains of this formidable castle. Archaeological evidence reveals that a defended enclosure existed on the site as early as the mid-11th century.

RNLI Grace Darling Museum

Radcliffe Road

Bamburgh NE69 7AE

01668 214910

www.rnli.org.uk/gracedarling

The RNLI Grace Darling Museum was established by the RNLI in September 1938. It commemorates the life and times of Victorian heroine Grace Darling who, with her father, rescued 9 survivors from the shipwrecked SS Forfarshire in 1838.

Roman Vindolanda & The Roman Army Museum

Chesterholm Museum, Bardon Mill

Hexham NE47 7JN

01434 344277

www.vindolanda.com

Vindolanda is one of the premier sites on Hadrian’s Wall. The home of the Vindolanda Writing tablets, voted Britain’s Top Treasure by the British Museum.

Seaton Delaval Hall – National Trust

The Avenue Seaton Sluice

Whitley Bay NE26 4QR

0191 2379100

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/seaton-delaval-hall

The romantic and partly-ruined Seaton Delaval Hall was built between 1718 and 1731 by Sir John Vanbrugh, architect of Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard, and is one of the most important historic houses in Britain. The Hall, its gardens and grounds in south Northumberland, near the coastal town of Blyth, was acquired by the National Trust in December 2009 after a tremendous fundraising effort by the local community. We hold regular arts, heritage and community events as well as children’s craft and outdoor activities.

Wallington – National Trust

Cambo

Morpeth NE61 4AR

01670 773 600

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington

The Wallington estate was laid out in the 18th century by Sir Walter Blackett, helped by William Joyce, Thomas Wright and Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, who went to school in the estate village. Original formality underlies the ‘natural’ landscape in which walks offer a variety of lawns, shrubberies, lakes and woodland enlivened with buildings, sculpture and water features.

Warkworth Castle & Hermitage – English Heritage

Warkworth NE65 0UJ

01665 711423

goo.gl/4zBWCP

The magnificent cross-shaped keep of Warkworth, crowning a hilltop rising steeply above the River Coquet, dominates one of the largest, strongest and most impressive fortresses in northern England.

Woodhorn Museum & Northumberland Archives

QE II Country Park

Ashington NE63 9YF

01670 624455

www.experiencewoodhorn.com

Woodhorn is a vibrant, exciting place to visit all year round with a great programme of activities and exhibitions for the whole family. Inspired by monster coal cutting machines once used deep underground, the stunning Cutter building and original listed colliery structures house fascinating, hands-on exhibitions and displays.

Collections: The Pitmen Painters were a group of mostly miners from Northumberland who founded the Ashington Art Group in the 1930s and who took as their subject everyday life in their mining community. Woodhorn museum holds the main Ashington Group collection of their work.

Wylam Railway Museum

Falcon Centre, Falcon Terrace

Wylam NE41 8EE

01661 852 174

www.northumberland.gov.uk/VG/wylam.htm#243

Wylam Railway Museum was opened in 1981, the bicentenary of the birth of ‘The Father of Railways’ George Stephenson who was born in Wylam, to commemorate Wylam’s unique contribution to railway history. The museum is small, occupying a former classroom in the old village school, now known as the Falcon Centre. The displays focus on the famous local railway pioneers, George Stephenson, William Hedley, Timothy Hackworth and Nicholas Wood and the Wylam Colliery waggonway.