subject: Living In The Historical Prudhoe Region [print this page] Prudhoe is a town in Northumberland in the north east of England. It lies about 11 miles west of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, just south of the River Tyne. Its name is thought to come from Proud Heights which is the location of Prudhoe Castle. At various points in its history the town has been known as Prudhow and Pruddo.
The first signs of humans in the area are Mesolithic flints that were found at Broomhouse Lane, but these were likely to have belonged to nomadic hunter gatherers. Some evidence of Bronze Age occupation has been found such as axes and burial mounds, but not much is known until the building of the castle in medieval times.
The area remained mostly rural throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, but the arrival of the mining industry changed that. Clay, fireclay and coal mining sites grew in the region and lead to the rapid growth of Prudhoe. Churches were built to suit all denominations and a bridge over the River Tyne saw the end of the traditional Ovingham Ferry crossing.
Prudhoe Castle is a popular attraction with a long and proud history and is the only castle in Northumberland never to have been captured by the Scots. The Umfraville family built the castle in the early 12th century, on the site of an existing wooden fort. It was later taken over by the Percy family who maintained it for most of its life. It was extended around the early 1600s but only the southwest turret from this work is still standing, the majority of the remaining building is original 12th century. It is now run by English Heritage and makes a good day out with informative displays and activities.
Prudhoe Hall, built in 1868 has lovely examples of Daniel Cottier's early work. He was famous as a glass maker in the second half of the 1800s and was said to have influenced Louis Comfort Tiffany as well as being credited with bringing the aesthetic movement to Australia and America. He provided windows for the Hall as well as its small chapel; the Chapel windows were later moved to the larger Catholic Church of Our Lady and St Cuthbert which was built in 1890.
Tyneside River Country Park is located between Low Prudhoe and Newburn and provides plenty of activities for a day out. There is a cycle trail through the park and onwards and plenty of walks and picnic areas for sunny days. Due to chalky waste left behind by previous manufacturing companies there are manmade chalk hills called Spetchells that provide an environment not usually found in the north east and attract a variety of plants and animals that are not normally seen locally. There are also networks of footpaths that take the more enthusiastic walker up into the hills and through some amazing views across the Tyne Valley.
There are plenty of activities to do and places to visit in the surrounding area. Prudhoe Waterworld is a large indoor pool complex for rainy days, with a caf for the less energetic and the nearby Highland Cattle Centre has a pet's corner and pony rides as well as the cattle themselves.
