Northumberland village of Norham and its County Durham past

Norham lies beside the River Tweed, around eight miles from Berwick-upon-Tweed, with stone-built homes, a historic church and the ruins of Norham Castle overlooking the river.

Today there is no doubt that the village is in Northumberland.

For hundreds of years, however, Norham and the surrounding district of Norhamshire formed a detached part of County Durham.

Durham University’s archive of the Palatinate of Durham records says Norham and Norhamshire were among areas collectively known as North Durham, which remained detached parts of County Durham until they were transferred to Northumberland in 1844.

Norham (Image: YVONNE MILNE/CAMERA CLUB)

That unusual geography reflected Norham’s long association with the powerful Bishops of Durham.

The village’s position overlooking a crossing of the Tweed also made it one of the most strategically important places on the turbulent border between England and Scotland.

Norham Castle was founded in the 12th century by Ranulph Flambard, Bishop of Durham, and for around 450 years was one of England’s major fortresses on the Tweed.

The castle was repeatedly caught up in fighting between the two kingdoms.

English Heritage says it was “besieged numerous times by Scottish armies and was captured on four occasions.”

One of the most dramatic episodes came in 1513 when James IV of Scotland attacked and captured the fortress using heavy artillery.

Within weeks, however, the Scottish army was defeated at the nearby Battle of Flodden and the castle returned to the Bishop of Durham.

Norham had also played a part in Scottish royal history decades earlier.

Edward I stayed at the castle in 1291 while considering rival claims to the Scottish throne during the process known as the Great Cause.

Beyond the castle walls, the village retains another reminder of its links to Durham.

St Cuthbert’s Church dates largely from the 12th century, and architectural details have been compared with work at Durham Cathedral.

Norham itself also has associations with St Cuthbert and the early church in Northumbria.

The village’s administrative relationship with Durham finally ended in 1844 when Norhamshire was formally transferred to Northumberland.

That means the peaceful border village visitors see today was, for centuries, effectively an isolated piece of County Durham surrounded by another county.

Norham Castle remains one of the major attractions.

Entry is currently free, although English Heritage says some areas are closed for conservation and health and safety reasons, with the outer section remaining accessible.

Visitors should check the latest information before travelling.