Northumberlandia

The Lady of the North

Coal surface mines featured on Blagdon land for many years, from the crude operations by the NCB in the 1940’s to the sophisticated extraction and restoration methods used more recently by H. J. Banks.

The restoration of what was previously poorly restored land to properly drained agricultural and park land is a welcome outcome of the recent operations at Delhi, Shotton and Brenkley.

Part of the pre-restoration scheme for Shotton included the development of an iconic landmark for Northumberland.

Northumberlandia was completed in September 2012. Officially opened by the Princess Royal on the 3rd of September, the park opened to the public on the 5th of September 2012 some ten months ahead of schedule.

Managed by The Land Trust, a national charity, the park is operated locally by the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, who have day to day responsibility for the park.

Northumberlandia was constructed entirely with private funding by the Banks Group and Blagdon Estate and is free to visit. Maintenance and development can only take place with the kind support of visitor donations and local businesses.

Northumberlandia welcomed over 120,000 people in the first year of opening and has had a positive effect for local businesses. Northumberlandia is a community asset, and the future success will only be achieved with support from local people and businesses and the thoughtfulness of visitors who are asked to take care of the park, be mindful of the guidelines for using the park, and to take all litter home with them.

View the Northumberlandia Fact Sheet (PDF)

For more information go to the Northumberlandia website www.northumberlandia.com