Besides great sights, an interesting history and many exciting destinations, Blaydon has a lot more to offer. Here you will find many helpful tips to enjoy your vacation in Blaydon.
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Sights in Blaydon
Blaydon is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead in Tyne and Wear. It is situated on the south bank of the River Tyne, in the Metrocentre complex. It had a population of 36,141 in 2011.
Blaydon was originally a small village in County Durham. It was made a town in 1856 when it was incorporated. It expanded rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the opening of coal mines and iron works.
The town is home to the Blaydon Races, a street race which takes place on 9 June every year. It is also the birthplace of the singer Catherine Cookson.
The main sights in Blaydon are the Metrocentre, the biggest shopping centre in Europe, and the Blaydon Races, a street race which has been held since 1859.
History of Blaydon
The first record of the name Blaydon is from the 12th century, when it appeared as Blidefelle and later as Blidelone and Blaydene. The name is thought to mean either ‘dark valley’ or ‘blemished land’.
The area has been settled since the Mesolithic period and there are a number of Bronze Age and Iron Age hillforts in the vicinity. The Roman Emperor Hadrian is known to have visited the area and there is evidence of a Roman settlement, including a bathhouse, at nearby Fourstones.
The AngloSaxon Chronicle records that in 815 the Danes occupied the area and in 918 they were defeated by the West Saxons at the Battle of Tettenhall.
In 1066, the Normans invaded England and the manor of Blaydon was given to one of William the Conqueror’s knights, Roger de Montgomerie.
The de Montgomerie family held the manor for almost 200 years, until it was bought by the fmily of Sir John Swinburne in the 13th century.
The Swinburnes were a wealthy and powerful family and they built a castle at Blaydon. The castle was besieged during the Civil War and was captured by Parliamentary forces in 1644. It was slighted (damaged so that it could not be used) by the Parliamentarians and was left in ruins.
The Swinburnes remained lords of the manor until the 18th century when the estate was sold to the Duke of Northumberland.
The industrial revolution transformed Blaydon and it became a centre for coal mining and iron manufacturing. The first coal mine was opened in 1727 and by the 19th century there were over 50 pits in operation. The iron industry also flourished and in 1854 the Blaydon Iron Works was opened. These industries brought wealth and jobs to the area but they also brought problems such as pollution and poverty.
In 1837, Blaydon was made into a parish and in 1856 it became a town.
The coming of the railways in the 19th century helped to boost the local economy and in 1894 the town was connected to the national rail network.
The 20th century saw further changes in Blaydon. The coal mines and iron works closed down and many people lost their jobs. The town was hit by bombs during the Second World War and many houses were destroyed.
However, Blaydon has slowly recovered and today it is a thriving town with a proud history.
Vacation in Blaydon
gateway to the North East of England. Blaydon is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England. It had a population of 8,884 in 2011. It is situated on the south bank of the River Tyne 5 miles (8 km) westsouthwest of Newcastle upon Tyne and 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Hexham.Team Valley Trading Estate is located close to Blaydon.The AngloSaxon Chronicle records the name Blaedaudan as early as 731, and later variants such as Bladon and Bladayden appear up until the 12th century. The name is thought to lie behind the Modern English word “blade”.
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