BEDLINGTON, urban district, Northumberland, England, 5m. S.E. of Morpeth, on a branch of the L.N.E.R. Pop. 27,315. It lies on high ground above the river Blyth, 22m. above its mouth. Bedlington (Betlingtun) and the hamlets belonging to it were bought by Cutheard, bishop of Durham, between goo and 915 and, although in Northumberland, became part of the county palatine of Durham over which Bishop Walcher was granted royal rights by William the Conqueror. Bedlington lost these special privileges in 1536 although it re mained in the hands of the bishops of Durham until taken over by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1866. Bedlingtonshire was made part of Northumberland for civil purposes by acts of Parlia ment in 1832 and The church of St. Cuthbert shows good transitional Norman details. Its dedication recalls the resting place of the body of Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, removed from Durham after the Norman Conquest.
The modern growth depends almost entirely on the develop ment of the rich coalfield. There are also iron foundries; and smiths, ironworkers and coal-miners compose the population.