Hedley on the Hill
| Hedley on the Hill | |
| Northumberland | |
|---|---|
 The Feathers, Hedley on the Hill | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NZ075595 |
| Location: | 54°55’48"N, 1°53’2"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 239 (2011) |
| Post town: | Stocksfield |
| Postcode: | NE43 |
| Dialling code: | 01661 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Northumberland |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Hexham |
Hedley on the Hill is a village in the south of Northumberland, south of the River Tyne, in the hills within the angle between the valleys of the Tyne and of the River Derwent. Northumberland's great city, Newcastle upon Tyne, is to the east.
Though close to a major city, Hedley is typical of rural Northumberland and inclined in that direction, close to the villages of Stocksfield and Chopwell and to the market town of the dale, Hexham. Hedley remains a small, placid village offering stunning views across the Tyne valley.
In its history, Hedley though is not typical of Northumberland: it appears to have escaped unscathed in the mediæval wars which wracked these lands, and there are no records of any battles in the area. Similarly, there is no record of any activity involving border reivers in the village. This has enabled it to develop in relative isolation, with mining and quarrying being the prominent industries since the eighteenth century.
About the village
Hedley on the Hill is also close to Hadrian's Wall a World Heritage Site and located in the far south of "Hadrian's Wall Country".
According to legend, the village was once been home to a bogle known as The Hedley Kow.[1]
Events
The village holds numerous events including the annual barrel race in which contestants, usually in pairs, run up the hill to the pub with a barrel of beer. It is also popular with gliding enthusiasts, being the closest village to the Northumbria Gliding Club at Currock Hill.
The Barrel Race is run every bank holiday Monday, and organised by The Feathers Inn. Competitors carry an empty nine-gallon beer barrel, over a one and a half mile course.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Hedley on the Hill) |
References
- ↑ Ash, Russell (1973). Folklore, Myths and Legends of Britain. Reader's Digest Association Limited. p. 346. ISBN 9780340165973.
- Easter offers a barrel of laughs - Cumberland News
- Northumbria Gliding Club