Ponteland

Ponteland
Northumberland
View of Ponteland
Location
Grid reference:	NZ161726
Location:	55°2’53"N, 1°44’49"W
Data
Population:	10,871  (2001)
Post town:	Newcastle upon Tyne
Postcode:	NE20
Dialling code:	01661
Local Government
Council:	Northumberland
Parliamentary constituency:	Hexham

Ponteland is a town in Northumberland near Newcastle upon Tyne. The name means island in the Pont (the river which flows through the village), as the area consisted of a small piece of solid ground around St. Mary's church and the old bridge, surrounded by marshland. This marshland is now drained, with housing built on top of it. The Pont river joins the Blyth river further downstream. The old village has been greatly enlarged by the development of the residential area of Darras Hall.

Landmarks

The Blackbird Inn, Ponteland

Ponteland is notable for a ruined pele tower, its bridge, and two churches: St. Mary's and St. Matthew's. St. Mary's churchyard includes the Grade II listed 18th century tombstones of Matthew Forster and William Turnbull.

Ponteland previously boasted a small castle or tower house, which was largely destroyed by the Scottish army under the Earl of Douglas, the day before the Battle of Otterburn. The remains were incorporated into the building now occupied by the Blackbird Inn, which is rumoured to contain an old tunnel connecting it to St. Mary's church. The tunnel is supposedly bricked up behind the fireplace in The Tunnel Room.

Transport

Ponteland was once served by a branch line of the North Eastern Railway (later part of the LNER) from Newcastle upon Tyne, with a short spur to Darras Hall, but this line was an early casualty, losing its passenger services in 1929 after passenger numbers failed to meet expectations. There were initially plans to electrify the line, these being abandoned in 1907. However, a substantial part of the branch has since been resurrected as part of the regional "Metro" system, to serve Newcastle Airport.

Sports

• Cricket: Ponteland CC)
• Football: Ponteland United FC
• Rugby: Ponteland RFC

Darras Hall

The affluent housing estate of Darras Hall is a popular choice for many of Northumberland's wealthy residents and many people associated with Newcastle United Football Club live on the estate including Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, Steven Taylor, George Hall and Terry McDermott.

Rebellion House

In December 2005 the estate was the focus of considerable media attention when a convicted rapist moved to the estate after purchasing a house with his National Lottery winnings. For months after purchasing his house, he was bombarded with threats and constant media exposure.

One of the oldest houses, or farms as it was at the time, situated in the Darras Hall area, is Little Callerton House. The Old Mill, the house where Alan Shearer used to live, and various other dwellings in the area belonged to Little Callerton House, which is approximately 450 years old.

On the edge of the estate at High Callerton, Rebellion House is a 16th-century bastle, altered and extended in the 17th century.

In the town

Ponteland has two functional public houses: the Seven Stars and the Diamond Inn. A third public house, the Blackbird, is unfortunately closed due to the bankruptcy of the chain of public houses that purchased it. Extensions and alterations to the Blackbird, including some demolition, were proposed in June 2012. Current plans are on hold, pending decision by new owners. The Diamond Inn is the only place in the centre of Ponteland that has accommodation and a function room.

Two major supermarket chains have stores in the village.

The Northumbria Police force HQ is located just to the north of Ponteland.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Ponteland)

• Information on Ponteland  from GENUKI
• Images of Ponteland Castle site (The Blackbird Inn)
• Northumberland Communities