Whittingham, Northumberland
| Whittingham | |
| Northumberland | |
|---|---|
 Whittingham Village | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NU065115 |
| Location: | 55°23’49"N, 1°53’56"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 525 (2011) |
| Post town: | Alnwick |
| Postcode: | NE66 |
| Dialling code: | 01665 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Alnwick |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Berwick-upon-Tweed |
Whittingham is a village in Northumberland on the banks of the River Aln, roughly four and a half miles east of its source at Alnham and seven miles west of Alnwick.
The thirteenth/fourteenth century pele tower here, Whittingham Tower, was converted into almshouses in 1845 and is now in private ownership.
The village sits in the valley of the River Aln; characterised by gentle rolling hills and fertile soils this area is frequently referred to as the Vale of Whittingham. There are road bridges over the river at either end of the village and a footbridge in the centre. At the western end of the village the River Aln meets Callaly Burn and there is a double ford at the confluence with two footbridges alongside.
History
The village name is thought to derive from Anglo-Saxon times, meaning 'the home of Hwita's people'.
The double ford at the west of the village has led some historians to suggest this is the location of 'Twyford' mentioned in the writings of the Venerable Bede.
Parish church
The parish church is dedicated to St Bartholomew. There is stonework in the tower that dates to around 900, but a church was recorded here in 735. There are several gravestones in the churchyard that have engravings of skulls on them, these are known as Memento Mori stones and are listed monuments.
Connected with the church, the village has a primary school - Whittingham Church of England First School - with around 60 pupils.
About the village
There are no shops in the village any more and the pub has now closed. The nearest shops are in Glanton (a post office) and at Powburn. There is a pub in Glanton and another, the Bridge of Aln Hotel, is east of the village on the A697.
Two Roman roads passed close to the village - to the east is the Devil's Causeway and south of the village is the road from High Rochester. These met at Learchild fort about a mile east of the village.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Whittingham, Northumberland) |