[3] The ancient township of Newton in the 13th century was made up of a collection of small tenements which were owned by the Balliols of Bywell.

They were sold in turn to the Fenwicks of Bywell, Joseph Bainbridge of Newcastle and in 1842 to the railway engineer William Hedley of Wylam.

John and James Symm manufactured farm implements, and exported as far afield as Australia and South America.

[7] There is a regular bus service to Hexham and Newcastle from Shaw House on the A69, provided by Go North East and Arriva.

Newton Hall country house was built for Robert Jobling in 1811, and was modified in 1835 by the architect John Dobson.

The estate was later purchased by the Joicey family who owned a number of collieries in County Durham.

In 1836 Elizabeth Archer-Hinde bequeathed the property to the politician John Hodgson-Hinde, on condition of his assuming the name of "Hinde".