Otterburn, Northumberland

Otterburn
Otterburn
Otterburn  Otterburn shown within Northumberland
Population	~500
OS grid reference	NY885935
Unitary authority	Northumberland
Ceremonial county	Northumberland
Region	North East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Postcode district	NE19
Dialling code	01830
Police	Northumbria
Fire	Northumberland
Ambulance	North East
EU Parliament	North East England
UK Parliament	Hexham
List of places: UK • England • Northumberland

Otterburn is a small village in Northumberland, England, 31 miles (50 km) northwest of Newcastle Upon Tyne on the banks of the River Rede, near the confluence of the Otter Burn, from which the village derives its name. It lies within the Cheviot Hills about 16 miles (26 km) from the Scottish border. The parish of Otterburn is at the heart of Redesdale, a remote Northumbrian upland valley steeped in history and blessed with natural beauty.

History

Otterburn was the site of a major battle in 1388 between English and Scottish armies. The engagement, in which the Scots took Sir Henry Percy captive, is the subject of the English ballad Chevy Chase and the Scots ballad Otterburn.

The battle of Otterburn ended in an English rout. James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas was killed, Percy captured and over a thousand of the English were taken, left dead on the field or slain as they fled. The dead were carried to Elsdon church, 3 miles (4.8 km) from Otterburn, where they were buried.

Governance

Otterburn is in the parliamentary constituency of Hexham.

Economy

Today, the village is noted for its proximity to the Otterburn Training Area, one of the UK’s largest army training ranges at some 60,000 acres (240 km²).

Landmarks

• Otterburn Hall, now a hotel, is a Neo-Elizabethan structure, built in 1870 for Lord James Douglas.
• St John the Evangelist's Church, Otterburn
• Otterburn Mill
• Otterburn Tower, now a hotel, was built in 1830 incorporating part of an eighteenth-century house, which itself may have incorporated the thirteenth century tower house which originally stood on the site.
• The "Percy Cross" stands in the midst of a small plantation, a mile north of the village. Near this peaceful spot, on an August evening in 1388, an English army of 8,000 men followed Sir Henry Percy into battle against the Scots, led by James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas.

Notable people

• Benjamin Appleby, Prominent member of the British Conservative Party and a senior adviser to David Cameron.

External links

• http://bellingham.journallive.co.uk/vids-pics/your-photos-return-to-otterburn.html#239588
• http://www.parish-council.com/Otterburn/index.asp
• Otterburn Tower - Northumbrian country house founded by a cousin of William the Conqueror in 1086
• The village of Otterburn on UKVillage