(Area NT 942374) In the mid 18th century the old village of Ford lay on the highway which ran between the Parson's Tower, and the west side of the Castle, past Ford Cottage towards Ford Bridge. All that remains is the well (present village built c.1861). (1)

An area of slight ground disturbance and occasional stone, centred NT 94353743, is the only surface indication of the village, apart from the well. Nothing visible on available aerial photographs (RAF 1947). (2)

An 18th century map of Ford Castle shows the old village as a street village extending from NT 942374 to NT 946374, an area now covered by landscaped gardens and parkland. (3)

Ford was a member of the barony of Muschamp (Wooler); held by Odinel de Ford in 1242. 1296: 8 taxpayers. 1312/13: nine taxpayers. 1377 Poll Tax: 64 adults. A vain attempt to set up a market was made in 14th century. Township reorganised in early 17th century - Fordhill, Catfordlaw, Ford Westfield, Fordwood and Broomridge (Broomridge abandoned in 19th century Delavals acquired Ford in 1755. The modern landscape is late 18th century. The village west of the castle and church had been removed by 1828. The present planned village is mid-19th century, at the east end of the old village.
At NT 943375 is a deep hollow-way. Pottery of c.1250-c.1800 was recovered from the spoil generated from field drain excavation. (4)

A trench was excavated across a sunken track visible in the earthworks as part of one of the Ford Castle summer schools [in the 1960s?] under JT White. This trench was located somewhere in the field with the Parson's Tower on the western side of the castle towards the orchard and bridge across the Till. A layer of bricky material was revealed lying on a mixed pebble and stiff grey clay layer, itself on top of a surface of large rounded stones and mortar, overlying tightly packed squarish stone. A series of finds were made including bottle glass and clay pipe stems of 18th century date. (5)