Ponteland parish lies to the north west of Newcastle and Ponteland village is about eight miles from the City Centre. The parish is separated from urban Tyneside by the Green Belt. With Newcastle Airport about two miles away from the village and the largest executive estate in the North East, Darras Hall, on its southern edge, Ponteland is a booming dormitory village for city workers. The large parish is entirely rural with a few small hamlets. The foot and mouth epidemic of 2001, which started at Heddon near the parish boundary, severely affected local farms.
At the beginning of the twentieth century Ponteland was a small rural village. The roads were muddy and the traffic was the carts of farmers and carriers. Change came because of two things; the improvement of transport links with Newcastle and the purchase of 1000 acres of farmland which eventually became the Darras Hall Estate. Growth was gradual up to the time of the Second World War but accelerated hugely in the second half of the twentieth century when car ownership became available to all.
Walking can be enjoyed by everyone, either solitary or with others, at all seasons; a sharp frosty morning or a still summer’s evening each bring their own delights. Farms and fields are a working environment and should be respected by all visitors by following the Country Code. Dogs must be on leads.
Ponteland offers a wide choice of refreshments. There are coffee shops, public houses, a Bistro, Indian, Italian and Chinese restaurants and very good fish and chips.
All six walks can be followed on the Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 316 for Newcastle upon Tyne.
Text by Muriel E Sobo
Wildlife photos by Eric Bird ARPS
Other photos by Muriel E Sobo
Published 2004 by Ponteland Parish Council
Web Site by Ponteland Print
Hosted by Ponteland Online
