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

01 June 2023

What’s going on in Mitford this June?

Wednesday 7th June
Parish Council Meeting – 7.30pm Village Hall;

Wednesday 14th June
Charlie Bennett – on Thomas Bewick, William Brewis and Charlie Bennett – Historical Society meeting & talk, 7pm Village Hall

Saturday 24th June
Village Fayre, 2pm

Tuesday 27th June
Mobile library in Fontside 3pm – 4pm 


Village Hall Activities:

Every Monday
Country Dancing 10.30am – 12 noon
6th Morpeth Brownies 6pm – 7.30pm (term time)
Table Tennis 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Every Tuesday
Pilates 10am – 12 noon
Dancing class 7.30pm – 9pm

Every Thursday
7pm to 9pm – Table tennis – new members always welcome

First Wednesday of the month
Parish Council meeting – 7.30p

Second Wednesday of the month
Historical Society talk – 7pm

Fourth Sunday of the month
Cafe Church service, 10am

Council Minutes

Meetings