Wylam on the north bank of the Tyne has a population of 1660 but has more visitor accommodation. Other nearby villages are Ovingham and Heddon-on-the-Wall.
Understand
[edit]The Tyne valley is a natural transport route passing north of the Pennines towards Carlisle; Hadrian's Wall and military road followed the higher ground a few miles north of it. In the 19th century its farming villages turned into colliery and iron-working towns. Two major problems for the mines had a single solution: steam engines to pump out the workings, and to transport heavy ores and coals. George Stephenson of Wylam is the best known of several engineers from these parts, designing steam-powered locomotives.
These industries were small-scale compared to those further down the Tyne, and were uneconomic by the early 20th century. By then the city of Newcastle was growing and growing, so Prudhoe, Wylam and other settlements became part of the commuter belt.
Get in
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Prudhoe is 11 miles west of Newcastle upon Tyne on A685: leave A1(M) at jcn 73.
Trains from Newcastle run every 30 min (and may start from Morpeth), taking 20 min via Metro Centre and continuing to Hexham, Haltwhistle (for Hadrian's Wall) and Carlisle.
1 Prudhoe Station is by the Tyne bridge north side of town. It has ticket machines but no other facilities. There is step-free access to both platforms.
Slower trains from Middlesbrough run via Stockton-on-Tees, Hartlepool, Sunderland, Newcastle and Metro Centre to Wylam and Prudhoe, continuing to Corbridge and Hexham.
2 Wylam Station likewise has ticket machines but no other facilities. There is step-free access to both platforms.
Go North East Bus 10 / 10B runs every 20-30 min from Newcastle Eldon Square and railway station, taking 40 min via Metro Centre, Blaydon and Ryton, and continues to Riding Mill, Corbridge and Hexham. Don't get on the 10A, which veers away south to Chopwell. The stop in Prudhoe is along Front St.
Bus 684 runs hourly from Newcastle to Heddon-on-the-Wall, Wylam, Ovingham (by Prudhoe railway station), Corbridge and Hexham.
Get around
[edit]The town is small, but you need wheels to explore the Northumbria countryside.
Taxi operators in Prudhoe are Castle Cars (+44 1661 834800) and NT Cabs (+44 7905 299829).
See
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- 1 Prudhoe Castle, Castle View NE42 6NA, ☏ +44 1661 833459. Apr-Oct W-Su 10AM-6PM (4PM in Oct). 11th century castle that withstood Scots sieges. It came to be held by the Percy dynasty, who added a great hall circa 1400, but their main residence was Alnwick whenever they weren't being beheaded for treason. It was abandoned late 17th century though patched up in the 19th, with a Georgian manor house added. It's now maintained by English Heritage. Adult £4.60, child £2.80, conc £4.10.
- 2 George Stephenson's Birthplace, Riverside Walk, Wylam (half mile walk from carpark in Wylam). Special events only. One-room museum in the birthplace cottage of railway pioneer George Stephenson (1781-1848), see National Trust website for occasional opening days.
- 3 Cherryburn, Mickley NE43 7DD, ☏ +44 1661 843276. Th F 10AM-4PM. Born here, Thomas Bewick (1753-1828) was a wood engraver and naturalist, best known for his History of British Birds. He's buried at Ovingham across the river from Prudhoe. The cottage and farmhouse have been restored by NT to his period. Adult £6, child £3, NT free.
Do
[edit]- Golf: 1 Prudhoe GC, Eastwood Park NE42 5DX, ☏ +44 1661 832466. 18-hole course, white tees 5839 yards, par 70. Visitor round £32.
- Other courses are Close House near Heddon (see Sleep), Ryton and Tyneside both near Ryton, and Stocksfield.
- Gliding: Northumbria Gliding launches from Currock Hill 2 miles south of Prudhoe.
- Hadrian's Wall hereabouts is mostly buried beneath B6318, with a short section of masonry at Heddon. So you can hike along the line of it, but you need to go 15 miles west to reach the scenic parts with substantial remains.
- Northumberland County Show is held in May / June at Bywell Hall in Stocksfield, four miles west of town. The next is on Sa 24 May 2025.
Buy
[edit]- Several convenience stores along Front St in Prudhoe. Aldi on A695 north side of town is open M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM.
- For big-ticket shopping head for Metro Centre west edge of Newcastle.
- 1 Cycle Art, Unit 3F, Princess Court, Low Prudhoe Trading Estate NE42 6PL, ☏ +44 1661 835603. M-Sa 9AM-5PM. Specialist cycle shop.
Eat
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- Prudhoe has The Falcon, Prudhoe Flame, Balls (below), Burger & Spice, Dhillons Fish Inn, Gloria's, Lotus House and Aramee.
- Balls of Prudhoe, 40 Front St NE42 5DQ, ☏ +44 1661 832252. M-Sa 10AM-9:30PM. Sit down and takeaway fish and chips, jacket potatoes and salads.
- Wylam has The Black Bull (below), Bistro en Glaze (see Sleep), and The Wood Oven.
- The Black Bull, Main Road, Wylam NE41 8AB (50 yards east of Ship Inn), ☏ +44 1661 853112. M-F 4-11PM, Sa Su noon-11PM. Bar / restaurant, may have rooms.
Drink
[edit]- Prudhoe has Wor Local micropub, West Wylam Inn, The Falcon (below), and Dr Syntax. Adam & Eve is by the railway station.
- The Falcon, Eastwood Terrace NE42 5DN (east edge of town), ☏ +44 1661 836056. Daily noon-11PM. Real ales and good grub.
- The Boathouse by Wylam railway station is open daily 11AM-midnight.
Sleep
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- Prudhoe lacks visitor accommodation, try Wylam 3 miles east.
- 1 The Ship Inn, Main Rd, Wylam NE41 8AQ, ☏ +44 1661 243641. Village pub / restaurant with rooms. Live music Friday & Saturday nights.
- Bistro En Glaze, Main Rd, Wylam NE41 8AJ (opposite Ship Inn), ☏ +44 1661 612654. Bistro with rooms. B&B double £90.
- 2 Close House, Heddon on the Wall NE15 0HT, ☏ +44 1161 852255, [email protected]. Upmarket golf hotel with two 18 hole courses.
Connect
[edit]As of Feb 2025 Prudhoe, Wylam and their approach roads have 4G (though patchy) from all UK carriers. 5G has reached A69 and Heddon on the Wall.
Go next
[edit]- East to Newcastle upon Tyne for big city attractions. The Baltic Gallery is across the river in Gateshead.
- South is Durham with a fine preserved old centre.
- West are Corbridge, Hexham, Haltwhistle and the most scenic parts of Hadrian's Wall.
- North once you get past the industry is historic Alnwick, and a line of castles up the coast to Lindisfarne and Berwick.