Discover Ponteland: local history and leisure

Ponteland offers several specific points of interest for your trip: the architecture of St. Mary the Virgin and Vicar’s Pele, other historic buildings and their stories, opportunities to stay active, and the River Pont. There is also an annual wheelbarrow race held on New Year’s Day. Depending on whether you are interested in church architecture, local history, sport or an event at the turn of the year, you can choose different priorities for your stay.

Church and historic buildings

St. Mary the Virgin is open daily. You can drop in, light a candle, pray or enjoy the peace and quiet. However, check the visiting arrangements before you travel. There are also several specific architectural details to note: the lower parts of the tower date from Norman times, and the church has a remarkable west doorway. The spacious chancel dates from the 13th century; carvings of Adam and Eve, also from this period, can be found on the chancel arch. These features bring together different aspects of the building and its fittings: Norman elements in the tower, alongside the later chancel and its carvings.

Vicar’s Pele, a medieval tower house, stands in the centre of Ponteland. It is roofless, three storeys high and built of irregular rubble, with brick repairs supplementing the masonry. These features give it a different architectural character from the church: here, the tower house, its building materials and its repairs are the specific points of interest.

Another trace of the past is associated with the Blackbird Inn: the building contains the basement of a tower known as Ponteland Castle. The tower dates from the 14th century and was looted by the Scots in 1388. Alongside the visible features of Vicar’s Pele, this adds a local story connected with a named tower and a specific historical event.

Kirkley Hall adds a different timeline to this architectural history. The Hall dates from 1764 and was originally a country house; today it is an agricultural college. After a fire, it was largely rebuilt between 1927 and 1930. The dates refer to different stages: 1764 marks its construction, and 1927 to 1930 its reconstruction after the fire.

Sport and staying active

Ponteland Leisure Centre offers a modern gym, a swimming pool, fitness classes and sports facilities for all ages. It also has a Clip ’n’ Climb climbing arena, suitable for individual climbers as well as groups of families and friends. The options range from the gym, pool, classes and sports facilities to a specifically named climbing activity. If staying active is part of your trip, you can consider these different options according to your interests, without treating them as interchangeable.

Ponteland Golf Club also welcomes occasional visitors. Golf is another specific option to consider during your stay. The climbing arena and the golf club offer different activities, so choose according to what you would like to do.

The River Pont and the New Year event

The River Pont flows through Ponteland. A two-arched stone bridge crosses the river there. The river and the bridge are two distinctive landscape features, separate from the buildings and leisure activities, that also describe Ponteland through its geographical character.

The wheelbarrow race takes place every year on New Year’s Day and is considered a tradition; its origins are thought to date back to the 14th century. If you are planning a trip around the turn of the year, check the details for the relevant event before you travel. This keeps the fixed annual event distinct from the cautiously worded historical account of its origins.

Discover more destinations: Amble, Allendale Town, Duddo, Gilsland, Newbiggin-By-The-Sea, Stocksfield, Powburn, Boulmer

For the broader travel overview: Northumberland.