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Amble and Hauxley. By J. C. Hodgson, Warkworth. 

 [Plate III.] 



To THE spectator standing on a summer evening on the 

 ramparts of Warkworth Castle, and looking eastward and 

 south-eastward, a fair scene delights the eye. At his feet 

 the Coquet, after embracing the ancient borough of Warkworth, 

 gently flows through fertile fields towards the sea ; but before 

 gaining it — meeting the advancing tide — spreads itself over a 

 wide basin or estuary, on whose southern side stands the town 

 of Amble. The shipping in this busy seaport enhances the 

 beauty of the landscape ; while immediately beyond, the blue 

 sea washes the Island of Coquet, with its dazzlingly white light- 

 house tower. The eye wanders southward and rests on a knoll 

 with a grove of trees which shelters the hamlet of Hatjxley. 



Of the history of these two sister townships, the writer will 

 attempt to give some account in following the course or series of 

 topographical papers on Warkworth parish. 



The township of Amble has an area of 1218 acres, of which 

 36 were detached by the changing of the river's course in March 

 1765, when it left its ancient channel and mouth, about a mile 

 to the north, and broke for itself a shorter and easier outlet 

 near the hamlet, which has within the last 50 years grown into 

 the flourishing town and seaport of Amble. The township also 

 contains the hamlets of Amble New-hall, Amble Hope, Moor- 

 huuse, and Amble Link. 



The township of Hauxley is 753 acres, including Coquet 

 Island, and contains the hamlets of Hauxley, Hauxley Sea- 

 houses, Bondicar, and Radcliffe Terrace, besides Kadcliffe 

 Colliery, where the coalfield, whose royalty is owned by Col. 

 Leslie's Trustees is tapped, and the produce conveyed to the 

 harbour for exportation. 



Geology, &c. — The district occupies the strip between the 

 Millstone Grit and the great Acklington Dyke — which, 

 stretching across the entire width of Northumberland, enters 

 the sea at Bondicar. This strip is in the lowest of the true 

 coal measures, otherwise called the Gannister Beds. The 

 stratification is much broken up by numerous faults. The 

 beach offers many points of interest : — here may be seen a 

 present growth of calcareous Sandstone ; a fine fossiliferous 



