Welcome to Mitford Parish Council

Mitford, meaning a place between two rivers, boasts a proud history with its fine medieval church, Mitford Hall, and castle remains. Recorded history of the village appears to have begun at about the time of the Norman conquest, a mere 945 years ago, but there is evidence of much older occupation of the valley and the surrounding countryside. A 1968 aerial survey showed two Romano-British fortlets, or fortified farmsteads, between Mitford Steads and Gubeon, and two others at High House.

The settlement after the Roman exodus appears to have been on higher ground nearer Gubeon and known later as Aldworth to the villagers who had moved down to the more easily defended site near the river where the first Saxon castle was probably built on the small natural hill currently occupied by the remains of the Norman castle.

Mitford Castle

St Mary Magdalene Church

Mitford Cricket Club

Built between 1150 and 1170 by William Bertram, Mitford castle was one of Northumberland's largest fortifications at the time. The castle was "knocked about a bit" by King John in 1216 and besieged by the Scots the following year; it was abandoned in the late 14th century and has suffered badly over the centuries from looting of stones for building.

St. Mary Magdalene Church dates from about 1135 and is possibly on the site of an earlier, simpler Saxon church. King John's troops burned the church down in 1216 in revenge for Roger Bertram having been one of the barons who forced the King to sign Magna Carta the year before.

It was again burned in 1705 when the heating stove caught fire and the roof was destroyed and the church reduced to a ruinous state. In 1874 a great restoration took place, adding a tower and steeple and was completed in 1885.

The squire at the time, Col. J.P.O. Mitford, undertook the work at his own expense. Inside are splendid, massive Norman pillars and an interesting effigy to Bertram Revely.

Mitford News

12 April 2021

MITFORD CASTLE

The Parish Council has been approached regarding access to the Castle and the Mitford Estate have provided the following statement.


“I am sure you have been made aware that Mitford Estate has been forced to take action to close the Castle grounds to the public. It is with much regret that we have had to take such action however due to recent events we have felt that we have not had any other alternative. I would like to make you and other members of the Parish Council aware of the issues we have been facing:


• Antisocial behaviour including estate staff having to remove drug and alcohol paraphernalia from the area

• Fires being lit and then extinguished with broken beer bottles

• Estate staff being verbally abused

• The grounds being used as a toilet facility

• Members of the public using metal detectors and digging up the ground inside the Castle

• Members of the public using the area as a camping site, leaving items of dirty/soiled clothing and sleeping bags

• Barbecues being lit and causing damage to the Castle walls

 

The police have been called on numerous occasions which has resulted in us taking this action.


I am sorry that the action of a number of individuals has resulted in the grounds being closed off however I am sure you understand that we cannot allow the Castle and surrounding area to be disrespected and abused in this manner.”

Council Minutes

Meetings