An introduction to Bellingham

Walking, fishing, bird watching or just studying the area’s industrial heritage are all contained within Bellingham’s (pronounced Bellin-jam) parish area of 22 square miles. There are two possible Old English derivations of the name; either “Bella+inga+ham” meaning “home or housestead of Bella or the sons of Bella” or “bell+inga+ham” meaning “homestead at the bell shaped hill”.

Bellingham, the “capital” of the North Tyne valley had a thriving railway, an ironworks and numerous coal mines. It has had a turbulent past with the 15th & 16th century Border Rievers exacting their toll on the population, livestock and buildings. In fact, the parish church of St Cuthbert’s has a massive stone vaulted ceiling built to prevent the Scots from burning the church for the fourth time!

The village is well served with shops, a post office, banks, library and visitors’ and heritage centre. Bellingham has two first school (one at Greenhaugh) and a middle school, childminders and adult education. Along with other organisations, members of a Women's Institute meet in the village.

Hexham is just over 17 miles to the south and the route is served by regular buses 814, 815 and 880. Newcastle is just over 33 miles to the south east.

The is a good mixture of housing in the area ranging from modernised collier’s and ironworker’s cottages, former pre- and post-war council and private housing to 19th Century and newly built stone faced houses.

Selected Links

• The Hexham Courant [http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/]
• Northumberland County Council [http://www.northumberland.gov.uk]
• Northumberland Tourist Board [http://www.ntb.org.uk]

Local Information Categories for Bellingham

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