Historical Account of Old Bewick

"BEWICK (OLD) township contains a pleasant village, on the east bank of the Till, 3 miles WNW of Eglingham, and 10 miles NW by N of Alnwick. It commands an extensive and delightful prospect, and is the property of WS Bruere, Esq. A little to the north-west of the village are the ruins of the old chapel, which was dedicated to the Holy Trinity. On Bewick Hill is a semicircular intrenchment, with a double fosse and vallum, defended on the west by a steep precipice. The south entrance is formed by a hollow way, 12 1/2 feet broad, having large rag stones placed on each side, so as to make a strong breast-work. At Hareup burn, half a mile east of this, is another intrenchment, which seems to have been used as an out-post. These are supposed to have been the work of the ancient Britons, but were afterwards possessed and strengthened by the Romans. On Bewick Moor is a natural cave, called Cateranes' Hole, formed by a narrow fissure in the free-stone rock, and descending towards the west to a very great depth, at an angle of 15 degrees. Cateranes is an old Scotch word signifying "bands of robbers", so it is evident that this cave was once inhabited by banditti." (History, Directory, and Gazetteer, of the Counties of Durham and Northumberland, 1828)