The Cheviot Hills, Northumberland National Park\n© Simon Fraser

Historic Village Atlas: Mapping Local History in Northumberland National Park

Falstone Village Hall and gardens © NNPAFalstone Hethpool Weir © NNPAHethpool Weir

The Historic Village Atlas reveals how seventeen historic village settlements in Northumberland National Park have evolved over the centuries. The report might barely scratch the surface of this fascinating field, but hopefully the Historic Village Atlas can be a starting point not a conclusion to the exploration of local history!

Village settlements, traditionally recognisable as clustered assemblies of houses and farmsteads, are scarce within the National Park, where most settlements are isolated farms and hamlets. However, on the basis of their current status and what was known about their historic importance, the Northumberland National Park Authority identified seventeen historic villages for study:

Village Map Reference Parish
Akeld NT 957 296 Glendale
Alnham NT 996 108 Alndale
Alwinton NT 923 065 Coquetdale
Byrness NT 764 026 Redesdale
Elsdon NY 937 934 Redesdale
Falstone NY 724 875 North Tynedale
Great Tosson NU 027 006 Coquetdale
Greenhaugh NY 795 873 North Tynedale
Harbottle NT 935 046 Coquetdale
Hethpool NT 896 284 College Burn
High Rochester NY 832 982 Redesdale
Holystone NT 955 026 Coquetdale
Ingram NU 019 164 Breamish Valley
Kilham NT 884 325 Glendale
Kirknewton NT 915 303 Glendale
Tarset NY 788 855 North Tynedale
Westnewton NT 903 303 Glendale


We have also recently added a study of the historic village of Wingates which sits just outside the boundary of the National Park.

All of the documents that we have referred to are included in the appendices for each village. If you would like more help in looking at these documents, please contact Northumberland National Park Archaeologist, Chris Jones on +44 (0)1434 611539 who will be pleased to help you.

© Northumberland National Park Authority, Eastburn, South Park, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 1BS, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1434 605555 Fax: +44 (0)1434 611675 Email: enquiries@nnpa.org.uk