BELFORD, a parish partly in ISLANDSHIRE, a detached
portion of the county palatine of DURHAM, but
chiefly in the northern division of BAMBROUGH ward,
county of NORTHUMBERLAND, comprising the market
town of Belford, and the townships of Detchant, Easington,
Easington-Grange, El wick, Middleton, and Ross,
and containing 1783 inhabitants, of which number, 1208
are in the town of Belford, 49 miles (N. by W.) from
Newcastle upon Tyne, and 325 (N. by W.) from London.
This place, though possessing little architectural
beauty, has a very pleasing" appearance: it is
situated on a gentle eminence within two miles of the
sea, of which, and of Bambrough castle, it commands
a fine view on the north-east; on all other sides it
is sheltered by hills, on one of which are seen the
ruins of an ancient chapel. The town consists principally
of two spacious streets, intersected by a few
narrow lanes, badly paved and not lighted; the houses
are irregularly built, but the inhabitants are amply
supplied with water: the neighbourhood abounds with
pleasingly diversified scenery and agreeable walks.
Belford is mainly indebted for its rise to the spirited
exertions of Mr. Dixon, a former proprietor of the
manor, who built several houses on a larger and
more convenient scale, cleared away unsightly objects,
and established a woollen manufactory, a tannery, &c.
His father had previously procured the privilege of
holding a market and fairs: the market is on Tuesday,
and is noted for corn, much of which is sold for exportation;
and the fairs are on the Tuesday before Whitsuntide,
and August 23rd. The parish abounds with
coal, limestone, and freestone; and considerable quantities
of cockles, called Budle cockles, are got upon the
coast. The town is within the jurisdiction of the county
magistrates, and constables are annually appointed for
the several townships. The living is a perpetual curacy,
in the archdeaconry of Northumberland, and diocese of
Durham, endowed with £800 private benefaction, £600
royal bounty, and £1100 parliamentary grant, and in
the patronage of William Clarke, Esq., as lord of the
manor. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a handsome
structure, erected in 1700, at the north-western
extremity of the town. There are places of worship for
Anti-burghers, Wesleyan Methodists, and Presbyterians.
A charity school is supported by subscription. About a
mile to the south-west of the town is a quadrilateral intrenchment,
having an entrance on the north-east, and
defended by a wide ditch and a double rampart: it
is by some supposed to have been a strong hold, or
place of security from the incursions of the Scots,
during the border wars; by others it is thought to be
of Danish origin. The races, formerly held at Beadnell,
have been removed hither, where a course has just been
completed for holding them. There are a few mineral
springs in the parish.