The village name is thought to derive from Anglo-Saxon times, meaning 'the meeting place of Hwita's people'.

The double ford at the west of the village has led some historians to suggest this is the location of 'Twyford' mentioned in the writings of the Venerable Bede.

The village sits in the valley of the River Aln; characterised by gentle rolling hills and fertile soils this area is frequently referred to as the Vale of Whittingham.

At the western end of the village the River Aln meets Callaly Burn and there is a double ford at the confluence with two footbridges alongside.

Eslington Park, on the western side of Whittingham, is a Grade II* listed country house, dating from the 18th century: it was built for the Liddell family (later Earls of Ravensworth),[7] who funded several amenities in the village.

[7] The village hall was built in 1925 as the Whittingham Memorial Institute, to commemorate those who died in the Great War.

It was built in 1887, as part of the North Eastern Railway (NER) and finally closed in 1953.

[9] There are several gravestones in the churchyard that have skulls incised on them, these are known as Memento Mori stones and are listed monuments.

[7] Halfway between the village and Glanton, situated in a small copse, is St. Mary's Roman Catholic church.