Things you didn't know about... Northumberland

Northumberland—return to centre?

The Northumberland town of Haltwhistle claims to mark the exact centre of Britain. However, Dunsop Bridge, Lancashire, some 112 km (70 mi) away also reckons it is the central spot—it all depends on how you measure it.

Christianity runs for home in Northumberland

The birthplace of Christianity in Britain is considered to be in Northumberland. The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, which is cut off twice a day by the North Sea, is home to a priory founded in AD635 by St Aidan, who went on to convert much of northern England.

Lindisfarne is also the name of a Northumbrian 1970s folk band that had a hit in 1978 with Run For Home, though they are probably best remembered for 1971's Fog On The Tyne.

King of the castles

Northumberland's castles are surrounded in myth and legend. Bamburgh Castle is reckoned to be the likely site of Arthurian knight Sir Lancelot's castle, "The Joyous Gard".

Northumberland's identity crisis

There have always been bitter battles between the English and the Scots over Northumberland. The town of Berwick-upon-Tweed has changed hands some 14 times.

Confusion still reigns...

Berwick-upon-Tweed is the only English town with a team in the Scottish Football League. Its river, the Tweed, is officially recognised as Scottish—unlike English rivers, it may not be fished on a Sunday.

Northumberland gives Transylvania a run for its money

Northumberland has its own vampire legend. In the 12th century, a blood-sucking creature terrorised Alnwick, spreading plague. When attempts were made to dig up the vampire so that he could be burnt, the body was found lying close to the surface—and engorged with blood.

Tar very much

Head to Northumberland on New Year's Eve to witness a bizarre ceremony. The village of Allendale welcomes in the new year with the "Tar Barls" ceremony where local people—"guysers"—parade barrels of flaming tar around the village at midnight, before throwing them onto a bonfire.

Northumberland MP, a legend in his own teatime

Born in 1764 in Northumberland, Charles Grey went on to become the MP for Northumberland and Prime Minister—it was his government that oversaw the abolition of slavery throughout the British colonies. Earl Grey tea is named after him—it is said the bergamot-scented tea was gifted him in gratitude by a Chinese Mandarin whose life he saved.