Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 17 h 21 min4:28 am – 9:49 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 7 h 12 min8:29 am – 3:41 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People9,956 residentsin the Benfieldside, Hamsterley & Medomsley census areaMedian age 48.64,455 households75% of homes owner-occupied42% owned outright12% social rented, 13% private rentedSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Work and commuting3.7% unemployment rate56% of adults are economically active, 4,540 in work, 30% retiredMain industries: health and social work 16%, retail and wholesale 13%, education 12%Getting to work: 30% work from home, 63% go by car, 3% take public transport, 4% walk or cycle40% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Education and languages37% of adults hold a degree or higher15% have no qualifications, 6% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 99%Source: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 20°C, lows 11°CColdest month December: highs 7°C, lows 2°C661 mm of rain a year, 14 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November40 days of air frost, 5 summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid (highs and lows from the 12 km grid)
Parks and green spacesDerwentside Parkpark · under a mile · 3 haEbchester Station Picnic Sitepark · 1.3 miChopwell Parkplaying field · under a mile · 6 haGaresfield Golf Clubgolf course · 1.7 mi · 58 haCrown Gardensallotments · under a mile · 3 haShotley Bridge Station Picnic Areapark · 2.2 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes47 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19709 of magnitude 3+, 2 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 26 Dec 197944 mi away, Longtown, CumbriaMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 13 Sep 202645 mi away, Sedbergh, CumbriaSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Flood riskRivers and sea: areas at High risk within 500 m of the centrea 1 in 30 chance of flooding in any year, or greaterAlso medium, low risk areas nearbySource: Environment Agency, Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea
Air qualityNO2 4.0 · PM2.5 5.1 · PM10 7.7 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within UK limits, above the WHO guideline for PM2.5Source: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband47% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband97% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)Every premises can get at least 10 Mbit/s (the universal service obligation)4,577 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation73 m240 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 48 to 178 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalShotley Bridge Hospital2.7 miGP surgeryOakfields Health Group3 surgeries within 2 milesright herePharmacyG H Furness LTD1.0 miDentistCorbridge Road (Dental Surgery)2.1 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
SchoolsWithin 2 mi3 schools3 primaryPrimaryChopwell Primary Schoolages 2-11, 226 pupilsunder a milePrimaryEbchester CofE Primary Schoolages 3-11, 77 pupils1.3 miSecondaryConsett Academyages 11-18, 1,493 pupils3.3 miCollegeDerwentside College3.8 miUniversityUniversity of Newcastle Upon Tyne9.5 miSource: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools
Getting aroundAirportNewcastle International Airport NCL11 miRailway stationPrudhoe4.7 miBus stationConsett Bus Station Stand J3.6 miFerryNewcastle International Ferry TerminalRoyal Quays16 miBus stops25 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the NE17 postcode district.
