England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Bolam St Andrew

The Parish

The parish of Bolam lies in central southern Northumberland roughly 9 miles southwest of Morpeth. Bolam has no defined village centre being largely a scattered parish with dispersed farms and cottages spread over the acreage. What passes for a centre lies on a broad lane running west to east past Bolam Hall. The parish is a largely upland one at between 120 and 130 metres above sea level. The parish lies south of the River Wansbeck which runs to the North Sea through Morpeth. Like many in the north the parish covers a large acreage of over 7,000 acres and supported around 600 parishioners. Like most of the north Domesday coverage does not extend this far, however there is evidence of a long human history in the area "The Devil's Causeway" is believed to be a Roman Road heading for Berwick upon Tweed and "Poind and his Man" are a Bronze Age barrow and standing stone dating back to prehistory.

The Church

St Andrew's church is sited just north of the major east/west lane up a narrow access lane and bordering the estate of Bolam Hall. The association with the Hall grounds is perhaps indicative of the nature of the parish as one closed and controlled by the major landowner. The church is a very old structure with many features which are Saxon notably the tower and nave western wall. Much else is Norman and immediate 13th century. The building is sited in an open but tree-bordered graveyard and is an oasis of peace and quiet.