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Sport is woven into the fabric of North East life. From cock fighting pits and the Quoits grounds of mining communities to the concrete cathedrals of modern football, it is still the backbone of our region.

Scroll down to find the lost sports grounds of yesteryear, and the treasured community spaces of today.

Part of the football ground can be seen on the left of this postcard from the inter-war period. Unknown original source.

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Football

Stags Head Recreation Ground

Esh Winning

Esh Winning FC

Updated:

11 Jul 2025

The Hartford Hall recreation ground can partially be seen on this aerial from 1933. Source: © Historic England. Aerofilms Collection    EPW042556 flown July 1933

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Cricket

Hartford Hall, Cricket Ground

Bedlington

Hartford Hall CC

Updated:

8 Jul 2025

The Hirst Head Cricket ground in 2024

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Cricket

Hirst Head Cricket Ground, Bedlington

Bedlington

Bedlington CC

Updated:

8 Jul 2025

The Clayton Ballroom in 1973

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Boxing, Wrestling

Clayton Hall

Bedlington

Updated:

30 Jun 2025

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Football

Hollymount Football Ground

Bedlington

Bedlington United

Updated:

17 Jun 2025

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Football

Burdon Park

Bedlington

Bedlington United (1920 - 1938)

Updated:

17 Jun 2025

The site of the track was at Doctor Terrace in the centre of this aerial photograph post-use. Source: Historic England Archive (RAF photography)    raf_cpe_scot_uk_221_rp_3415 flown 27 June 1947

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Cycling

Doctor Terrace Cycling Track

Bedlington

Bedlington Aerial Bicycle Club

Updated:

3 Jun 2025

The portion of the new development here was previously the cycle track. Source: Historic England Archive (RAF photography)    raf_cpe_scot_uk_221_rp_3418 flown 27 June 1947

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Cycling

Bedlington Station Bicycle Track

Bedlington Station

Bedlington Amateur Bicycle Club

Updated:

3 Jun 2025

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Cycling, Football, Quoits

Bebside Bicycle and Recreation Grounds

Bebside

Bebside and Sleekburn Bicycle Clubs

Updated:

27 May 2025

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Cricket

Bebside Cricket Ground

Bebside

Bebside CC

Updated:

27 May 2025

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Football

Beal, Football Ground

Beal

Beal United

Updated:

20 May 2025

The ground at Beadnell directly adjacent to the Vicarage in 1951.

Source: Historic England Archive (RAF photography)    raf_540_611_rs_4261 flown 9 October 1951

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Football

Beadnell, Football Ground

Beadnell

Beadnell AFC

Updated:

20 May 2025

Map
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Background photo: Photograph of the Scottish Women's team preparing before a match against the North of England in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1938.

Historic Maps provided by

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