The Heritage Centre tells the stories of the people of the North Tyne and Rede valleys through text, imagery, sound and, of course, objects. Our displays present the social, agricultural and industrial history of the area as well as a small section about the earlier Border Reivers.

We opened in 1994 in a former garage on the main street in the village and moved to a redundant depot in Station Yard in 2000. Funding in 2008 allowed us to extend the centre to incorporate the Stannersburn Smithy and a new farming gallery. In 2011, another grant from the Heritage Lottery helped us buy two historic railway carriages which volunteers restored and fitted out as a tea room and a flexible learning space.

We rely entirely on volunteers to run the Centre as we don’t receive any local or government funding. Admissions, sales, donations and bequests help us to preserve our heritage and share it with visitors.

www.bellingham-heritage.org.uk