Ashington, A Mining Town Full of History, Schools with Proud Heritage
Ashington, located in Northumberland, England, is a historic town with a strong industrial heritage, once known as the “world’s largest coal mining village.” During the 19th and 20th centuries, it played a vital role in the coal mining industry, shaping its community and economy. Today, Ashington has evolved, with modern developments alongside reminders of its past, such as the Woodhorn Museum, which showcases the town’s mining history. The town offers green spaces like Queen Elizabeth II Country Park and is close to the scenic Northumberland coastline. With a proud working-class legacy, a strong sense of community, and ongoing regeneration efforts, Ashington remains a key part of Northumberland’s cultural and economic landscape.
OUR SCHOOLS
5 of our schools are based in Ashington;
Places to Note
Ashington Railway Station – Ashington Railway Station is located in Northumberland and the line runs through Newcastle, Manors, Seaton Delaval, Newsham and Ashington as well as stations at Bedlington, Blyth Bebside and Northumberland Park opening later in 2025. The new station has been modernised as part of the Northumberland line project, it now has a single platform and the facilities have been updated including a lot of care taken to make sure that the station is accessible, with things like blue badge parking spaces and electric vehicle charging points. The new station helps to make travelling easy and it gives people a way to travel that is better for the environment.
Wansbeck River – The River Wansbeck flows through the county of Northumberland, it runs through the town of Ashington before discharging into the North Sea at Sandy Bay near Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. People in the local community enjoy a relaxed walk alongside the river with friends or love to walk their dogs, there are many places along the river to sit down and relax and even enjoy a picnic as well as organised activities such as rowing and fishing. The river is easily accessible with car parks located in the area and ways for bikes to get by as well.
Hirst Park and Peoples Park – Hirst Park is located in the heart of Ashington, the park features a play park, splash park, a woodland, relaxing gardens, bowling greens, tennis courts and lovely areas of greenery. There is a huge green space which is where Jack and Bobby Charlton would play and practise football, this is where they learned their craft and the space is still there today for the younger generation to use and enjoy. The park is a lovely and calming place for people of all ages to come and enjoy the green open spaces as well as having many different openings and is accessible so all people can be part of the excitement, things can include wide paths and ramps to accommodate everyone. People’s park also has a range of fun activities for the whole family such as a play park and basketball court, there is also a huge green space with two different football pitches to be used as well as space to walk or even take your dog along.
Queen Elizabeth Country Park – Queen Elizabeth Country Park is located on the North edge of Ashington, it’s a very popular place for walking, dog walking, picnics and jogging as well as many different activities on the lake. The site is located around a lake surrounded by woodland and open grassland and is open for all sorts of adventures. The park can be accessed by foot, cycle paths and main roads, to accommodate this there is a main car park for all members of the public to use and enjoy the facilities that Queen Elizabeth Park has to offer.