Stakeford

Stakeford
Northumberland
The Half Moon, Stakeford
Location
Grid reference:	NZ265855
Location:	55°9’47"N, 1°35’10"W
Data
Population:	4,672  (2011)
Post town:	Choppington
Postcode:	NE62
Dialling code:	01670
Local Government
Council:	Northumberland
Parliamentary constituency:	Wansbeck

Stakeford is a village in southeastern Northumberland, about 17 miles north of the county's only city, Newcastle upon Tyne. The nearest town is Ashington, which stands across the River Wansbeck from Stakeford.

The village takes its name from the former river crossing to the north of the village, this was a crossing through the mudflats which was marked with stakes to give an idea of the water depth, hence the name Stakeford. The river crossing has long gone, but remains of the stakes can be seen in the river bed becoming visible whenever the dam downstream is opened. The old river crossing was replaced by a bridge in the early 20th century, which in itself was replaced by the new Stakeford Bridge in 1994. There is now no trace of the original ford due to the mudflats being used as a landfill site in the 1950s and 60s and the creation of a riverside country park in the 1970s.

It is a mainly residential village. There are three pubs and a Social Club. There is also a miners' institute although it never had a mine as this was located in the adjacent village of Bomarsund. Stakeford has several shops and a primary school. Today Stakeford forms one built-up area, with neighbouring Guide Post and Sheepwash.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Stakeford)