NOT MANY TOURISTS IN THIS PART OF NORTHUMBERLAND

Just outside Morpeth, on the ECML, was Longhurst station, long since closed.

 On a different line of the NER, the viaduct just outside of Ashington.

Ashington Colliery and dramway, circa 1905.

The Ashington Coal Company had a large fleet of steam locos, including this 0-6-0ST, no. 20.

Also included in the roster was this ex Hull & Barnsley 0-6-0T.

Station Road, Ashington, in 1919.

United was the main bus operator in Ashington.

Wansbeck Motor Services also served the town.

Despite the company's name, Bedlington & District was based in Ashington and their buses were a common sight on the streets.

At the depot, a variety of buses were to be found over the years.

To the seaside! Not far away from Ashington, the small resort of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.

The NER served the town, the station being photographed around 1910..

Bedlington is our next stop. Here's a postcard view.

A more modern scene in Bedington (Simon Cotterill - Creative Commons License).

St Cuthbert's church, Bedlington (Creative Commons License).

Raisbeck's ran a town service in Bedlington for many years.

For some reason, Whatpub doesn't mention the Grapes in Bedlington, but the pub does have an active Facebook page.

A Cameron's house, the Sun Inn, also appears on Facebook but not on the Whatpub site.

Back towards the coast  and we come to North Blyth, with its coal staithes in 1896.

An ex NER 0-6-0 is seen 'on shed' at North Blyth MPD.

Across the River Wansbeck is the town of Blyth and its docks. This view taken around 1910.

Coal was exported from Blyth, but timber was imported The 'SB Lund' is being unloaded in 1920.

The south harbour at Blyth. A mixture of pleasure and commercial craft.

The High Light in Blyth (Creative Commons License).

Blyth town centre (Creative Commons License).

Blyth railway station was the terminus of a North Eastern Railway branch.

Here's the station around 1950 (Photo in my collection - photographer unknown).

Blyth also had a bus station, seen circa 1930.

The Flying Horse in Blyth was a Mathew Brown pub, but now has no cask beer,

Whatpub doesn't mention the Top House, but it is on Facebook.

The last pub of this post is the Oddfellows Arms, which serves one real ale.

Right, that's it for today. Next time, expect a visit to the seaside. Here's a link to the map of the route so far.