National Gazetteer (1868) - Warkworth

"WARKWORTH, a parish, seaport, and market town, partly in the E. division of Morpeth ward, and partly in Coquetdale ward, county Northumberland, 3½ miles N.E. of Acklington, and 7½ S.E. of Alnwick. It is a station on the North-Eastern line of railway. The village is situated at a short distance westward from the seacoast, near the mouth of the river Coquet, which is here crossed by an old bridge. It consists of one long street, extending from the bridge to the castle. The parish contains Amble, Acklington, Hauxley, and 14 other townships Warkworth is a borough by prescription, and a court leet is held annually at the "Sun Hotel." The castle stands on a rock, occupying a triangular space of about 5 acres. The ruin includes the wall, 35 feet in height, the corner towers, and part of the gateway and the keep, with its turrets and watch tower, from which there is an extensive prospect. It was formerly held by Roger Fitz Roger, and in 1327 was given to the Percys, who, with the exception of a short period in Richard II.'s time, were seated here till 1672. At a short distance from the castle are the chapel of the Percys and an hermitage, 18 feet by 7, hewn in the rock, and containing effigies of a lady and a hermit. Many of the inhabitants are employed in the woollen mills. There are some stone quarries; also coal, lime, and whinstone are found. On the banks of the river are several extensive corn mills. The soil is principally clay. Of late years a breakwater and pier have been constructed at the mouth of the Coquet, and the bar harbour has a fixed light erected in 1848. This place gives title of baron to the Duke of Northumberland. The living is a vicarage* in the diocese of Durham, value £528, in the patronage of the Bishop of Carlisle. The church, dedicated to St. Lawrence, has a stained window by Middleton Dand, also effigies of Hugh de Morwick, a crusader. There is also the district church of Acklington, the living of which is a perpetual curacy, value £250. There are a borough school and a National school for both sexes, also a circulating library and reading-room. Near the church was a Benedictine cell to Durham Abbey, founded by Bishop Barnham in 1256. The Duke of Northumberland is lord of the manor and chief landowner. Market day is on Thursday. Fairs are held on the Thursday before 25th April, and on the 22nd November for cattle. Races take place on the common on the 14th May."

"ACKLINGTON, (and Acklington Park) townships in the parish of Warkworth, Morpeth ward, in the county of Northumberland. They are situated on the small river Coquet, near the coast, and have a station on the York end Berwick railway, 7 miles S.S.E. of Alnwick. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Durham, value 1250, the patronage of the Duke of Northumberland. Coal is obtained here, and the population are chiefly employed in coal mining and blanket weaving.

"AMBLE, a township in the parish of Warkworth in the eastern division of Morpeth ward, in the county of Northumberland, 7 miles to the S.E. of Alnwick. From the remains of antiquity which have been discovered here, it is concluded that Amble was a place of some importance at an early period. Foundations of a circular form, some unhewn stones, Roman coins, and a causeway have been brought to light. The village stands on a hill at the mouth of the river Coquet, and has a fine sea-view. The coal-mines, which are extensive, afford employment to many of the inhabitants. Amble was formerly a cell to the priory of Tynemouth. Amble House is the principal residence."

"BIRLING, a township in the parish of Warkworth, ward of Coquetdale, in the county of Northumberland, 6 miles to the S.E. of Alnwick. It lies near the sea-coast, on the banks of the river Coquet."

"BROTHERWICK, (or Brotherick), a township in the parish of Warkworth, ward of Coquetdale, in the county of Northumberland, 6 miles to the S.E. of Alnwick. It is situated on the N. bank of the river Coquet.

"BULLOCK'S HALL, a township in the parish of Warkworth, Morpeth ward, in the county of Northumberland, 7 miles to the N. of Morpeth. It is not far from the Newcastle and Berwick railway."

"BUSTON, (High and Low) townships in the parish of Warkworth, ward of Coquetdale, in the county of Northumberland, 5 miles to the S.E. of Alnwick. They are situated on the sea-coast, not far from the mouth of the river Coquet. The Newcastle and Berwick railway passes by them.

"COQUET ISLE, a small island in the parish of Warkworth, off the coast of Northumberland, at the mouth of the river Coquet. It is about 1 mile in circumference, and is principally pasture. There are two lighthouses; the one on the S.W. side of the island is 80 feet high, with a fixed light visible for 20 miles. The inner channel, between the island and Coquet Head, is scarcely a quarter of a mile across, and is obstructed by reefs."

"EAST CHEVINGTON, (and West Chevington) townships in the parish of Warkworth, Morpeth ward, in the county of Northumberland, 8 miles to the N.E. of Morpeth.

"GLOSTER HILL, a township in the parish of Warkworth, E. division of the ward of Morpeth, county Northumberland, 7 miles S.E. of Alnwick. It is situated at the mouth of the river Coquet, which here falls into the North Sea."

"HADSTONE, a township in the parish of Warkworth, E. division of Morpeth ward, county Northumberland, 3½ miles S. of Warkworth, and 9 N. of Morpeth. It is situated near the coast of the North Sea."

"HAUXLEY, a township and hamlet in the parish of Warkworth, E. division of the ward of Morpeth, county Northumberland, 3 miles S.E. of Warkworth, and 9 S.E. of Alnwick. It is situated near the coast, and contains the colliery village of Radcliffe. Many of the inhabitants are fishermen. Off this coast are the Bondicar rocks, where many ships are annually wrecked. In this township is an extensive colliery worked by the Derwentwater Coal Company, the produce being sent by rail to be shipped at Amble. There is a school for the children of the colliers."

"MORWICK, (or Morrick), a township in the parish of Warkworth, E. division of Morpeth ward, county Northumberland, 2 miles S.W. of Warkworth, and 6 S.E. of Alnwick. It is situated on the river Coquet, near the coast. The soil is of a loamy nature, with a subsoil of sand. Morwick Hall is the principal residence.

"STURTON GRANGE, a township in the parish of Warkworth, E. division of Coquetdale ward, county Northumberland, 4 miles S.E. of Alnwick, and 2½ N.W. of Warkworth."

"TOGSTONE, a township in the parish of Warkworth, E. division of Morpeth hundred, county Northumberland, 11 miles N.E. of Morpeth, and 2½ S.E. of Warkworth. The soil consists of a strong loam. There is a colliery. Togstone Hall is the principal residence."

"WALKMILL, a township in the parish of Warkworth, E. division of Coquetdale ward, county Northumberland, 5 miles S.E. of Alnwick."