Longhoughton

The village has a turbulent history and was often sacked in mediaeval times. From the 12th century to recently, the village was noted for its water and corn mills. There was local industry based on limestone, coal and lead although agriculture was always the main occupation. On top of Ratcheugh Crag is the Robert Adam-designed Ratcheugh Observatory, built by Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland.

The parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul dates from the Saxon era, although it was rebuilt in 1080 and now the only remaining Saxon stonework is seen in parts of the chancel and tower arches. During the 1080 rebuilding, a 44 ft tower was added. This was for purposes of military defence, rather than religious use, and was used as such until the 17th century. Parish records go back as far as 1646. Smugglers used to use the church as a distribution centre in the 19th century. Nikolaus Pevsner mentioned the building favourably in his review of Northumbrian architecture. A little over a mile to the north-west is Littlehoughton Hall, a house of 1686 with later additions, which incorporates the…