Warkworth, Northumberland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coordinates: 55°20′42″N 1°36′40″W / 55.3451°N 1.6112°W
| Warkworth | |
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.png)  Warkworth shown within Northumberland |
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| OS grid reference | |
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| Unitary authority | Northumberland |
| Ceremonial county | Northumberland |
| Region | North East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MORPETH |
| Postcode district | NE65 |
| Dialling code | 01665 |
| Police | Northumbria |
| Fire | Northumberland |
| Ambulance | North East |
| European Parliament | North East England |
| UK Parliament | Wansbeck |
| List of places: UK • England • Northumberland | |
| River Coquet Settlements |
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Warkworth is a village in Northumberland, England. It is probably best known for its well-preserved medieval castle, church and hermitage. At the time of the 2001 census, the population of Warkworth was 1,600.
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[edit] Geography
Warkworth is situated in a loop of the River Coquet, about 1 mile from the Northumberland coast and lies on the main A1068 road. It is 30 miles north of Newcastle, and about 40 miles south of the Scottish border. An ancient bridge of two arches crosses the river at Warkworth, with a fortified gateway on the road mounting to the castle.
[edit] Features
Tourist attractions in Warkworth include the castle, church, hermitage, river walks, and the nearby Northumberland Coast, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
St. Lawrence church, situated near the river, is unique in Northumberland in being a large and almost completely Norman building. There has been a church on this site for around 1,200 years. The first record dates from 737AD when King Ceolwulf of Northumbria gave the church and village to the Abbot and monks of Lindisfarne. The church was the scene of a terrible massacre in 1174, when some 300 of the townsfolk, seeking refuge there from Scottish raiders, were brutally put to the sword and butchered by Duncan, Earl of Fife.
The castle is situated at the west end of the main street, at the top of the hill. Nikolaus Pevsner said of the imposing castle that the military engineer happened also to be a great architect. He went on: "Warkworth must be approached from the north. With its bridge, its bridge-tower, then Bridge Street at an angle, joining the main street up a hill to the towering, sharply cut block of the keep, it is one of the most exciting sequences of views one can have in England."
Facilities in Warkworth include three pubs, two hotels, a number of cafés, restaurants and tearooms, a chocolate shop and patisserie, a general store, and several galleries / boutiques.
The village is host to Warkworth Cricket Club, a fairly successful cricket team, that has reached the last 16 of the National Village Cricket Cup on several occasions in the past 20 years, and is a regular contender for the Northumberland League title, winning three years running in 2001 - 03. The team plays home matches in a spectacular setting in front of the castle.
There is also a 9-hole golf course (5986 yd; Par 70), set in the dunes between the coast and the village.
 St Lawrence's Church |
 Inside the church |
 Ancient tomb inside the church |
 Leaded windows |
 Leaded windows |
 Leaded windows |
 Warkworth Castle |
[edit] Warkworth Cricket Club
Formed in 1874, members have been playing the game in front of the magnificent Warkworth Castle for over 125 years. The Club has a first XI team, playing in the Northumberland Cricket League, and a second XI which plays in the Alnwick and District Cricket League.
The cricket club also has a junior section with over 60 members participating in under 9 year old competitions and under 11, 13 and 15 leagues, with a number of other clubs.
[edit] External links
- Drama Group website
- Parish website
- Images of Warkworth
- GENUKI (Accessed: 10 November, 2008)
- Northumberland Communities (Accessed: 10 November, 2008)
