Nafferton, Northumberland

Nafferton Farm is located about 1½ miles north-west of Ovingham and just under 2 miles west of the village of Horsley. Half a mile to the east of Nafferton Farm is the hamlet of Old Nafferton, which is the site of a deserted medieval village. Half a mile west of the farm, by Whittle Burn, are the ruins of Nafferton Castle. Nafferton was once a township in the ancient parish of Ovingham. Today, it forms part of Horsley Civil Parish.

NAFFERTON, a township, in the parish of Ovingham, union of Hexham, E. division of Tindale ward, S. division of Northumberland, 9 miles (E.) from Hexham; containing 35 inhabitants. The township comprises 773 acres: coal is obtained within its limits. The hamlet is situated in a pleasant vale, about two miles north-west from the village of Ovingham. The impropriate tithes have been commuted for £8. At the north-west end of Whittle-bridge, on the Newcastle and Corbridge road, are vestiges of a castle built in the reign of Henry III. There are many legends respecting it: a celebrated freebooter named Long Lonkin is said to have entered the castle in the absence of the owner, and to have murdered his wife, and buried her in a deep hole in the stream beneath.

Extract from: A Topographical Dictionary of England comprising the several counties, cities, boroughs, corporate and market towns, parishes, and townships..... 7th Edition, by Samuel Lewis, London, 1848.