Cramlington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cramlington |
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 The parish church of St. Nicholas |
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 Cramlington
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| Population | 28,843 (2021 Census ward data) |
| OS grid reference | NZ270760 |
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| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CRAMLINGTON |
| Postcode district | NE23 |
| Dialling code | 01670 |
| Police | Northumbria |
| Fire | Northumberland |
| Ambulance | North East |
| EU Parliament | North East England |
| UK Parliament |
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Cramlington is a town and civil parish located in Northumberland, England. It is about 6 miles (10 km) north of Newcastle upon Tyne. The town's name might come from the Danes or Anglo-Saxons who settled there long ago.
In 2021, Cramlington had a population of 28,843 people. It sits right on the edge of Northumberland and North Tyneside. A major road interchange at Moor Farm connects these two areas. East Cramlington is a part of the town located east of the A189 road.
Contents
- Discovering Cramlington's Past
- Where People Live: Cramlington's Estates
- Cramlington's Economy: Jobs and Shops
- Important Places and Natural Beauty
- Getting Around: Transport in Cramlington
- News and Entertainment: Media in Cramlington
- Learning in Cramlington: Education
- Places of Worship
- Fun and Games: Leisure in Cramlington
- Town Twinning
- Famous People from Cramlington
- Images for kids
Discovering Cramlington's Past
The first time Cramlington was officially mentioned was in 1135. This was when the land was given to a person named Nicholas de Grenville. Records of the local church leaders, called chaplains, go all the way back to John the Clerk of Cramlington around 1163.
From Farms to Mines: Early Changes
For many centuries, Cramlington was mostly a quiet farming area. It had several farms and a parish church called St. Nicholas. This church was built between 1865 and 1868 in the Gothic style.
In the early 1800s, things started to change. Coal mining became important, and many mine shafts opened nearby. Sadly, in 1813, a mine explosion at Collingwood Main Colliery killed eight people. This accident was caused by flammable gas, and more lives were lost due to dangerous fumes.
Cramlington Becomes a New Town
Cramlington stayed quite small until 1964. That year, it was chosen to become a "New Town." This meant it would be specially planned and built to grow quickly. Developers like William Leech and J.T. Bell built many large housing estates.
These new areas were named Beaconhill, Collingwood, Eastfield, Mayfield, Shankhouse, Southfield, and Whitelea. Cramlington then became a "dormitory town." This means many people who live there travel to work in the bigger city of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Cramlington During Wartime
During World War I, the North East of England needed protection from air attacks. The No. 36 Home Defence Squadron was formed at Cramlington in 1916. This made Cramlington an important base for military planes and airships. The airship station was in Nelson Village. Cramlington airfield was even mentioned in a 1935 book from the popular Biggles series.
Train Accidents in Cramlington
Cramlington has seen two notable train accidents. In 1855, a first-class train carriage broke down. Later, in 1926, the famous Flying Scotsman express train was derailed. This happened when striking miners during the General Strike caused the accident. A BBC program in 1970, Yesterday's Witness, told the story of this derailment.
Planning the New Town
The idea to develop Cramlington as a new town first came up in 1958. In 1961, plans were approved to create what was hoped to be "Britain's first enterprise town." The project was expected to take 20 years and cost about £50 million. It would house 40,000 people and include an industrial area. Old railway lines were even planned to become walking paths.
The final plan was approved in 1963. The estimated population grew to 48,000, and the cost rose to £60 million. This was the first time a new town was built without direct government control. The first factory was planned to open by summer 1963.
In 2017, old remains of an Iron Age settlement were found where new houses were planned. Even though people were interested, the council decided to continue with building the houses.
Where People Live: Cramlington's Estates
When Cramlington became a new town, it was divided into different housing areas, called estates. These names often tell you which part of town they are in.
Some of the estates include:
- Nelson Village
- High Pit
- Northburn (built in the late 1980s and 1990s)
- Northburn Manor (built in the early 2000s)
- Eastfield (built in the 1970s, with an addition in the mid-1990s)
- Westwood (built in the early 1980s)
- Southfield Lea (built in the early 1970s)
- Southfield Gardens (built in the early 2000s)
- Mayfield (some parts existed before the new town, with more added in the late 1960s)
- Whitelea (one of the first new town estates, built in the late 1960s and early 1970s)
- Barns Park (built in the 1970s)
- Parkside (built in the 1970s)
- Beacon Hill (built in the 1970s)
- Beacon Lane (built in the 1970s)
- Collingwood Grange (built in the late 1960s)
- Southfield Lea Westerkirk Extension (built in the 1980s)
- Bassington Manor (built between 2015 and 2017)
- St Nicholas Manor (built between 2017 and 2023)
- Collingwood Chase (built in the late 1960s)
- Southfield Green (built in the early 1970s)
New Homes in Arcot
Northumberland County Council and other groups have invested a lot of money into the south-west part of Cramlington. This area is known as Arcot. Many house builders are working to develop this sector.
Some of the new estates in Arcot include:
- Arcot Manor (built between 2017 and 2023)
- The Fairways (built between 2017 and 2024)
- Beaconsfield Park (currently being built, started 2023)
- West Meadows (currently being built, started 2023)
- Foxton Mill (currently being built, started 2023)
- Fairway View (currently being built, started 2023)
Cramlington's Economy: Jobs and Shops
Local Industries
Cramlington has several large industrial areas, mostly in the north-west. These areas are home to big companies, especially in the pharmaceutical industry. Companies like Merck Sharp and Dohme and Aesica Pharmaceuticals have factories here.
Other companies like GE Oil & Gas also have large sites. Wilkinson Sword opened the first factory in the town in 1964. Boots, a well-known pharmacy company, opened its plant in Cramlington in 1983.
Shopping and Leisure
The Manor Walks shopping centre was built in the town centre in the 1970s. It has been expanded several times since then. Today, you can find many popular stores there, including Argos, Asda, Boots, Next, and Sainsbury's.
In 2011, plans were made to improve the shopping centre. A new Vue Cinema and two new restaurants opened in July 2013. A local pub, now called John the Clerk of Cramlington, also reopened. These changes aim to make the town a better place for fun and visitors.
The Brockwell Centre, built in 1990, has smaller shops and food places. It also has a pub, a care home, and a medical centre. A supermarket, now a Home Bargains, is also located there.
Healthcare in Cramlington
In June 2015, the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital opened in Cramlington. This was the first hospital in England built specifically for emergency care. It cost £75 million and has emergency doctors on duty all the time. It also has many specialists available seven days a week.
Important Places and Natural Beauty
Plessey Woods Country Park is just north of Cramlington. The River Blyth flows through this beautiful park. Northumberlandia is a huge land sculpture near Cramlington. It looks like a giant reclining woman. Within the town, Nelson Hill is a noticeable landmark north of the town centre. Arcot Hall Grasslands and Ponds SSSI is a special nature site south-east of the town.
Getting Around: Transport in Cramlington
Cramlington has its own Cramlington railway station. This station is on the East Coast Main Line. You can catch trains to places like the MetroCentre, Morpeth, and Newcastle upon Tyne.
Many bus companies also serve the town. Arriva North East offers express services to Newcastle, Morpeth, and Blyth. Go North East runs services to and from North Shields.
The town is also close to major roads like the A1, A19, and A189. Newcastle International Airport is about 12 miles (19 km) away. The North Shields International Ferry Terminal is about 10 miles (16 km) away.
Cramlington has a great network of cycle paths. These paths are separate from the roads, making cycling safe and easy. You can even cycle from Cramlington to the nearest beach in Blyth.
News and Entertainment: Media in Cramlington
Local news and TV shows for Cramlington come from BBC North East and Cumbria and ITV Tyne Tees. You can also listen to many local radio stations, including BBC Radio Newcastle and Heart North East. The local newspaper that serves the town is the Northumberland Gazette.
Learning in Cramlington: Education
Until 2008, schools in Northumberland used a three-tier system (first, middle, and high schools). Cramlington was one of the first towns to change to a two-tier system (primary and secondary schools). Some primary schools moved to former middle school sites.
Other schools in Cramlington include: Hareside Primary School, Hillcrest School, Shanklea Primary School, Burnside Primary School, Cragside Church of England Primary School, Northburn Primary School, Eastlea Primary School, Beaconhill Primary School, and SS Peter and Paul's Catholic Primary Academy.
Cramlington Learning Village
Cramlington Learning Village is the only secondary school in the town. It is also the largest school in the county. In 2008, it changed its name and added two new year groups. The school has three parts: the Junior Learning Village (for Years 7 and 8), the Senior Learning Village (for Years 9 to 11), and the Advanced Learning Village (for Years 12 and 13).
The school has received good ratings from Ofsted inspections. In 2022, the school was chosen for a government program to rebuild or improve its buildings. Plans for the new school campus were released in October 2024. Construction is expected to start in summer 2025 and finish by September 2027.
Places of Worship
Cramlington has several Christian churches:
- Doxford Place Methodist Church
- Welcome Methodist Church
- St. Nicholas Parish Church
- St. Andrew's
- St. Peter's
- St. Paul's
Others
- Church of the Nazarene
- Frontline
- Open Episcopal Church
Fun and Games: Leisure in Cramlington
Concordia Leisure Centre
Cramlington's main leisure centre is called Concordia. It is next to the shopping mall and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. It has a swimming pool, indoor football pitches, tennis, badminton, and squash courts. There's also a climbing wall, a gym, and a bowling green. The centre has been updated several times, with major improvements in 2016 and 2019.
Cycle Paths
A big network of cycle paths was a key part of the new town's design. These paths are completely separate from roads. A cycle route also connects the town to the beach in Blyth. There are plans to extend the network to the nearby town of Bedlington.
Local Pubs
The village square has four public houses, including the historic Blagdon Arms.
Sports in Cramlington
Cramlington is home to several sports clubs:
- Cramlington Cricket Club (CCC) has teams for men, women, and juniors. They play at Cramlington Learning Village.
- Cramlington United is a football club established in 2010. They play at Northburn Sports & Community Centre.
- Arcot Hall Golf Club is located south of the town.
- Cramlington Rockets are a Rugby League team. They play on the fields of Cramlington Learning Village.
Town Twinning
Cramlington is twinned with three other towns, meaning they have a special friendship and exchange programs:
Famous People from Cramlington
Many notable people have connections to Cramlington:
- Charles Fenwick, a trade union leader.
- Sam Heads, an expert on insects and fossils.
- Ross Noble, a comedian.
- Ray Stevenson, an actor.
- Sting, the musician, was a schoolteacher at St Paul's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided First School from 1974 to 1976.
Football Stars
Several footballers have lived in or played youth football in Cramlington:
- Joe Brown, a football player and manager.
- James Brown, a striker for Hartlepool United.
- Steven Caldwell, a former Newcastle United defender and Scotland international.
- John Carver, a former footballer and assistant manager at Newcastle United.
- Mark Clattenburg, a Premier League referee.
- Peter Haddock, who played for Leeds United and Newcastle United.
- Jimmy Isaac, a footballer in the 1930s and 1940s.
- Jamie McClen, a footballer.
- Michael Oliver, the youngest ever Premier League referee.
- Ray Pointer, a footballer for Burnley and England.
- Peter Ramage, Alan Shearer, and Steven Taylor all played youth football for Cramlington Juniors F.C.
- Andy Sinton, a former Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur footballer.
- Martin Taylor, a professional footballer.
Other Sports Personalities
- Stephen Miller, a Paralympic triple gold medalist.
- Gary Robson, a professional darts player.
- Roger Uttley, a former England Rugby Union player, was a sports teacher at Cramlington High School.
Images for kids
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Cramlington Learning Village proposed plans
