IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
The Orchard, WYLAM, NE41 8BS

Built in 1886 at the expense of the Hedley family ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hedley ). Prior to that Wylam villagers had to travel to Ovingham to worship. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wylam .

Wylam Hall has its own private entrance and is not easy to see. For those with long inquisitive necks it is just possible to catch this glimpse over the high wall from Ovingham Road. The building mainly dates from the C19th but incorporates some stonework of the Sporting House of a monastery built in 1405 by Prior Wheathampstead of Tynemouth. There is a description here http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=23038&resourceID=2 Images of England: http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=239527

The cottages were built in 1958. In 1679, much of the land around Wylam was bought by John Blackett of Hoppyland Hall near Bishop Auckland. The family were squires of Wylam until 1971.

The lychgate dates from 1903 and is Grade II Listed http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1154905&resourceID=5

The house on the right, opposite the end of Woodcroft Road, was at one time known as Brewery House. It dates from the early C19th http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=239515 The Brewery, which was located in out buildings to its rear, closed in the 1870s when the main colliery and ironworks in the village had themselves closed. Iveach Cottage is joined on to its left. Next door are Willow Cottage and Willow House. Willow Cottage was the home of Nancy Ridley whose book, 'Portrait of Northumberland', expressed her love and deep knowledge about the county and its history. It was first published in 1965. At the end of an appendix to the 4th Edition (1973), entitled 'The County in the Seventies', she wrote: "After the uncertainties attending the Local Government reorganisation it is with relief and gratitude that I end this appendix with my address still at Willow Cottage, Wylam in the County of Northumberland."

A small area of open space flanked by Ovingham Road and Church Road. The front of Wylam Institute can be seen on the right. A two-storey white-washed building on this plot formerly served partly as the Institute and part as a cottage. It was demolished sometime around 1920. Flats on the left are named Blackett Court. The cottages in the distance are Image Charlie's Corner was named for Mr Charles Atkinson of West House, round the corner on the Ovingham Road, who acquired and gave the land to the Parish Council around 1950. He was very prominent in village life and was a leading figure in the planning of the village war memorial, its construction and unveiling in 1923.

See description here Image Also known as No 1 Blackett Court, Brewery House is Grade II Listed (List Entry Number 1154895): https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1154895

The Institute was built by public subscription in 1895.