Matfen
Appearance
Matfen | |
---|---|
Matfen | |
Population | 495 (2001 census)[1] |
OS grid reference | NZ029719 |
Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE |
Postcode district | NE20 |
Dialling code | 01661 |
Police | Northumbria |
Fire | Northumberland |
Ambulance | North East |
UK Parliament | |
Matfen is a village and a civil parish in Northumberland, England, near the towns of Hexham and Newcastle upon Tyne. It is an example of a nineteenth-century planned estate village. It was the birthplace of the nineteenth-century Premier of British Columbia, William Smithe.
Landmarks
Matfen Hall is operated as a hotel and country club. The Grade II* listed building was built c.1828 by Sir Edward Blackett to replace an earlier 17th Century house.
The Devil's Causeway passes the village less than 2 miles (3 km) to the west. The causeway is a Roman road which starts at Port Gate on Hadrian's Wall, north of Corbridge, and extends 55 miles (89 km) northwards across Northumberland to the mouth of the River Tweed at Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Notable people
- Thomas Bates (1775–1849), stockbreeder born in Matfen.
- William Smithe (1842–1887), 7th premier of British Columbia.
- Lorna Hill (1902–1991), prolific writer for children, wife of the rector of Matfen.
See also
References
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Matfen.