Pictures of Bellingham
About Bellingham
The market town of Bellingham sits on one of Northumberland's prettiest stretches of water, the north bank of the River North Tyne. This river runs through some of England's finest scenery as it follows its course below fells and across Forest Park where the waters are often shaded by wooded banks as it wends its way through rich grazing pastures. All around is quiet and tranquil, cattle graze and newborn lambs frollick. The beautiful stretch known as the Penine Way runs through south through Bellingham en route towards Hadrians Wall, it is in an area that is steeped in history dating back to the Bronze Age. This is evidenced by the finding of stone and bronze axes and a single burial cairn.
Evidence of occupation throughout the various historic periods have been documented and more is known of the Roman period than of Medieval times and following the Norman conquest, Bellingham was part of the medieval lordship of Tynedale.
The troubles of the Border regions brought raids and skirmishes aplenty and the Men of Bellingham did their full share of raiding in this stormy period when attack from the north was an ever present threat. Legend has it that during one attack, villagers and cattle took shelter in St. Cuthberts church. The chancel of the church was twice burned down. Cannonballs, found lodged in the building are on display. However, the risk of fire is said to have ended when a rare type of roof was put on in the 17th-century. This consists of huge stone slabs resting on six sided arches; the walls were heavily buttressed to take the great weight of this unique structure and one cannot help but wonder at the strength of the men engaged in the building of this rare roof.
During the 17th-century and the early 18th-century a period of peace and prosperity came to the area and some fine buildings bear witness to this new found affluence, these include Lee Hall and Hesleyside Hall and Park.
Today, Bellingham remains very much a market town at the heart of an agricultural area of peaceful farms and pastureland. There are long walks into the Border Park all of which start at Bellingham and reward the walker with excellent views of the surrounding countryside. One of the most spectacular sights is from a footpath that runs north alongside Hareshaw Burn. It passes the site of an old iron works, enters a wooded valley and goes on towards Hareshaw Linn. Here the land slides deeply down a sandstone outcrop and the whole vista is quite magical, especially after a rainfall when the air is fresh and sweet with the mingling scent of woods, grasses, wild flowers. The ironworks, founded in the 19th-century brought a spate of economic growth to the area only to be followed by a downturn when a decade or so later the works closed. Sad as this is, it is this closure that has led to the magical site we visit today. The naturalist would say - it was well worth it!
Other places of interest; Otterburn Mill lies a few miles further north and to the south is Hadrians Wall and the National Trust property of Housesteads Fort. Wherever you go, this is an area of wispering forests, rippling waters and high peaks, it is the English countryside at its very best.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Bellingham
| Carrawburgh Roman Fort (Brocolitia) | (8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Chesters Roman Fort (Cilvrnvm) | (9.4 miles, 15.0 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Northumberland National Park | (9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Kielder Water | (9.7 miles, 15.7 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Housesteads Roman Fort (Vercovicium) | (9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| The Cheviot Hills | (9.9 miles, 16.0 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Redesdale | (10.0 miles, 16.0 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Wallington Hall | (11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Tyne Green Country Park | (12.7 miles, 20.4 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Langley Castle | (13.0 miles, 21.0 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Hexham Abbey | (13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Bolam Lake Country Park | (15.1 miles, 24.2 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Belsay Hall & Gardens | (16.0 miles, 25.7 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Lordenshaw | (16.3 miles, 26.3 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Cragside | (18.7 miles, 30.1 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
All attractions in BellinghamAll attractions in NorthumberlandComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Bellingham
Elsdon, in the county of Northumberland (8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction NE)
In this gentle setting the village, with its scattering of 18th-century properties around a picturesque village green, is the perfect example of English village life.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Chollerford, in the county of Northumberland (9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction SE)
Chollerford is a delightful village destination. It is a popular base for tourists visiting Hadrian's Wall and Chester Fort. ...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Wall, in the county of Northumberland (10.2 miles, 16.5 km, direction SE)
The village of Wall lies in the high uplands of Northumberland in spacious countryside bordered by the rivers South Tyne and North Tyne, close to Chester's Fort on historic Hadrian's Wall.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Hexham, a Historic Market Town in the county of Northumberland (13.2 miles, 21.3 km, direction SE)
Historic market town where for centuries the sheep and cattle farmers of Northumberland gathered for the Tuesday market beside Hexham Abbey.
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Kielder, in the county of Northumberland (14.7 miles, 23.6 km, direction NW)
This small historic village lies at the northernmost edge of Kielder Water, it takes its name from the Kielder Burn the stream that links with the Deadwater Burn to form the North Tyne River.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Alwinton, in the county of Northumberland (15.0 miles, 24.2 km, direction N)
Alwinton occupies a lovely position in a hollow of the Cheviot Hills where the waters of the Alwin and the Coquet Rivers meet.
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Corbridge, in the county of Northumberland (15.1 miles, 24.4 km, direction SE)
Marvellous resort town, lying in a peaceful favoured position on the River Tyne, yet within easy reach of the heaving city of Newcastle.
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Bolam, in the county of Northumberland (15.4 miles, 24.8 km, direction E)
This is an historic village, it took its name from a Baron de Bolam in the 13th century.
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Hartburn, in the county of Northumberland (15.6 miles, 25.1 km, direction E)
This is a wonderful place to be, especially on a bright summer day when the sun beats down relentlessly.
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Whitfield, in the county of Northumberland (16.2 miles, 26.0 km, direction S)
This is a picturesque village lying amongst sprawling open countryside criss crossed by dancing streams, tributaries of the River West Allen.
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Thropton, in the county of Northumberland (16.6 miles, 26.8 km, direction NE)
This pretty village straggles the banks of the sparkling River Coquet. It is a lively invigorating place, lying amidst the stunning countryside of Simonside, a 1,409 foot high peak.
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Allendale Town, in the county of Northumberland (17.2 miles, 27.8 km, direction S)
This picturesque Northumberland village enjoys a lovely location in the fine hill and dale countryside of the beautiful East Allen Valley.
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Netherton, in the county of Northumberland (17.7 miles, 28.6 km, direction NE)
The village of Netherton nestles in the wild countryside beneath the southern slopes of the Cheviot Hills on the fringe of the Northumberland National Park.
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Blanchland, in the county of Northumberland (22.2 miles, 35.7 km, direction S)
Blanchland, Northumberland is a village located close to the Derwentwater reservoir in Durham and Hexham in Northumberland.
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Brampton, in the county of Cumbria (23.7 miles, 38.2 km, direction SW)
One of the loveliest features of Brampton is its octagonal Moot Hall, built by the Earl of Lancaster in 1817.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in NorthumberlandComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Haydon Bridge Station | (11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction S) |
| Bardon Mill Station | (12.2 miles, 19.7 km, direction S) |
| Newcastle International Airport | (23.5 miles, 37.9 km, direction E) |
| New Bridge Street | (28.3 miles, 45.6 km, direction SE) |
| M6 Junction 43 | (30.5 miles, 49.0 km, direction SW) |
| Teesside International Airport | (54.9 miles, 88.4 km, direction SE) |
| Bellingham to London | (266.4 miles, 428.7 km, direction S) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Bellingham
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Bellingham center |
| Percy Arms Hotel | (6.6 miles, 10.7 km, direction NE) |
| The Otterburn Tower Hotel | (6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction NE) |
| Matfen Hall | (14.1 miles, 22.6 km, direction SE) |
| De Vere Slaley Hall | (19.2 miles, 30.9 km, direction SE) |
| Macdonald Linden Hall, Golf & Country Club | (21.2 miles, 34.1 km, direction NE) |
| Britannia Hotel Newcastle Airport | (22.7 miles, 36.6 km, direction E) |
| Ryton Park Country House Hotel | (22.9 miles, 36.9 km, direction SE) |
| Hedgefield House Hotel | (24.0 miles, 38.6 km, direction SE) |
| Best Western Derwent Manor | (25.1 miles, 40.4 km, direction SE) |
| Mansfield House Hotel | (28.1 miles, 45.1 km, direction NW) |
| All hotels in Bellingham |