Hettons Ward, made up of various small steadings, is sparsely populated, most individual farms having just three or four houses.

View looking south from Hettons

At the time of the Parish Plan, Hetton ward had
fifty households and the Hettons are not serviced by
any buses.

The only settlement of any size is Hetton Steads with fifteen houses where there is a community hall that fulfils all the community needs. Hetton Steads is approximately three miles away from Lowick village and about six miles from Chatton, so the community tends to look towards Lowick for facilities.

One landowner owns the majority of Hetton ward, with Hetton estate now combining with
Lilburn estate.

Hetton Hall is the modernised remains of three storey late fifteenth century pele tower and was the main house of the estate. It is now let to a religious organisation as a centre for retreats. The three storey pele tower of Hetton Hall has a semi-circular stair projection, formerly with a turret above it. The roof was rebuilt, probably in sixteenth century and the tower was extended to the left, right and rear in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In 1509 it was recommended for a garrison of twenty men.

For further information visit: Newcastle University site

Details from Hetton Hall