Blagdon Hall, in Northumberland, has been home to Matt Ridley’s family since 1700. The first three generations of owners were all named Matthew White. The next nine generations of owners have all been named Matthew White Ridley.
The Estate is a business that includes farms, woodland, residential and commercial properties; its tenants provide around 340 full and part-time jobs. The Milkhope Centre has become a popular destination for visitors with a number of small privately owned retail businesses, including the Blagdon Farm Shop, which sells local produce from Blagdon and the surrounding area.
Blagdon is a private Estate but allows public access through the maintained public and permitted footpaths. In addition, the Estate acts as host to charitable organisations which fund-raise through open days. Typically Blagdon Estate has over 30 events a year with around 4,500 visitors. The Estate also offers training facilities to the Police and Armed Services, as well as hosting fishing clubs, a cricket club and other organisations.
Surface coal mines have operated on Blagdon Estate almost continuously since 1943. The Banks Group most recently produced coal from the Shotton and Brenkley sites, both of which are now fully restored.
Blagdon Estate and Banks are joint sponsors of Northumberlandia, an iconic land form park adjacent to Cramlington.
For more information visit the Blagdon Estate website
I had a financial interest while coal mining was taking place on my family’s land. The details are commercially confidential, but I have always been careful to disclose that I had this interest in my writing when relevant. I am proud that the coal mining on my land contributed to the local and national economy.
Matt Ridley on Blagdon Estate and coal mining
