With an area of 2,219 km2 (857 sq mi) it was the second-largest English district, after the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Tynedale was historically a liberty created alongside the county of Hexhamshire by Henry I of England.

The district was abolished as part of the 2009 structural changes to local government in England effective from 1 April 2009 with responsibilities being transferred to Northumberland County Council, a unitary authority.

However, the name "Tynedale", which predates the formation of the council,[2] is still widely used for the Tyne Valley area of Northumberland.

Tynedale contained the settlements and civil parishes of (towns highlighted in bold):