County Durham

The site was first chosen by monks in 995, looking for a permanent resting place for the body of St. Cuthbert, the 7th Century Bishop who lived on Holy Island, off the coast of Northumberland. Following the Norman conquest in the 11th Century, Durham proved an ideal location from which to rule the North of England. The high peninsula was chosen by the Normans for the site of Durham Castle. Shortly afterwards, the little church nearby, containing the relics of St. Cuthbert, made way for Durham Cathedral.

The architectural and historical importance of the Cathedral and Castle is recognised by their inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Work on the Cathedral was begun in 1093 and completed within forty years, a remarkable achievement, considering the size and advanced construction.

Following the Norman conquest the Bishops of Durham were given the power to rule the North of England, using their own armies. They occupied Durham Castle and were known as Prince Bishops. The evidence of their power and influence can be seen in additions to the Castle and alterations which over the centuries transformed a fortification into a lavish palace. By the 19th Century, the power of the Bishops was no longer appropriate. In 1837 Bishop Van Mildert moved to nearby Auckland Castle and transferred Durham Castle to the University of Durham which had been founded five years earlier.

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Stanley is situated within 20 minutes drive from the historic city of Durham and the metropolitan conurbations of Gateshead and Tyneside. The town lies on the old Roman road from Lanchester to Chester-le-Street, and is now a market town with an enduring sense of community.

Just five minutes from the heart of the town is Beamish, The North of England Open Air Museum. The Museum has welcomed nearly 5 million visitors over the past 10 years offering them an experience of life as it once was in the Great North. See attractions for further details.

Also within a short distance is Tanfield Railway, located on the A6076, it is the world's oldest existing railway, originally opened in 1725.

Five minutes from Tanfield Railway is Causey Arch, the oldest surviving single span railway bridge in the world, built in 1725. See attractions for further details.

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The District of Easington stretches from Sunderland in the North to Hartlepool in the South. It is the coastline of County Durham. This stunning natural asset is now being developed so that visitors once again can enjoy its stark natural beauty.

The magnesium limestone cliff tops are cut by lush denes which form access to the beaches and hold a wide range of flora and fauna. Castle Eden Dene is of particular note for the fame of its natural beauty and also being the home of the rare Angus Butterfly.

The coast and the hinterland provide many excellent walks and rambles some of which are lead. As well as the indigenous interests of nature Easington also boasts many interesting features worthy of a visit.

Being in the land of the Prince Bishops Easington has Anglo Saxon churches dating back to the development of Christianity in the North East. Easington also was the last bastion of deep coal mining. With all the collieries now closed the district is facing the new millennium in the spirit of regeneration and renewal which is especially reflected in the acclaimed public Art programme.

The old colliery villages are being revitalised and offer a rural oasis to walkers and cyclists. The two major Towns of Seaham and Peterlee offer all facilities with the docks at Seaham, the home of the Londonderry family, making it particularly worthy of a visit.

Easington is only 20 minutes from Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland and Hartlepool, access being easy through a good road network. making day visits easy and enjoyable, there are also good hotels and bed and breakfast in the District for the longer staying visitor.

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Sedgefield, an ancient village founded in Norman times, possessed a market charter granted in AD 1312. In the early 19th century it was a very important coach centre with the "Expedition" running daily to Leeds.

From 1828 the town flourished by manufacturing agricultural requirements, like saddlery and straw hats. Flour milling and shoemaking were also carried on.

The medieval Church is a well known landmark with its tall tower. A woodworker named Robert Barker did much to enhance the interior with woodwork done in a classical style and magnificently executed.

The former Rectory is an interesting 18th century building and has been converted by the local Community Association for community use and is renamed Ceddesfield Hall.

One of the main attractions in the village is the racecourse used for National Hunt racing and is the only one in County Durham.

The converted hotel at Hardwick Hall, which was originally built by J. Bardon in 1748, has on its doorstep the beautiful Hardwick Country Park which helps to serve the Borough's needs for countryside leisure activities. Good shops, clubs, sports facilities and the "village green" help to make Sedgefield a very attractive place.

Other places within the Borough include:

Bishops Middleham once belonged to the Bishops of Durham during the Middle Ages, and today its inhabitants are involved in quarrying and agriculture. It is an attractive village with the interesting 13th century Church of St. Michael. It is also the burial place of County Historian, Robert Surtees of Mainsforth Hall.

Bradbury is a small agricultural village which lies to the west of Sedgefield. It is interesting to note that the marshy land near the village is of glacial origin.

Butterwick, once a medieval village, is a dairy farming area, lying south east of the River Skerne.

Chilton has a medieval history dating from before 1388. The later main development was based on the Chilton and Mainsforth Collieries which are now closed. Although mining has declined, Chilton is still a busy village with a new Industrial Estate.

Cornforth is situated north east of Ferryhill and the main source of employment was the former Thrislington Colliery. During the 19th century the main industries were paper mills, brick works and agriculture. Now, limestone quarries provide the main source of wealth.

Ferryhill, an industrial town of some 11,600 inhabitants, is greatly influenced by its situation between the old Great North Road and the main north-south railway line. Road improvements carried out n 1920 did much to increase the importance of the town. Ferryhill was a thriving village in medieval times and also had close connections with the Monastery at Durham. Some coal mining was carried out from the 12th century up to the 19th century and from then on other major undertakings were carried out. An old grey stone in the wall near the site of Cleves Cross Farm is said to commemorate the slaying of the last wild boar of Brancepeth by Sir Roger de Ferie. Ferryhill in ancient times was known as Ferry, the second part of the name referring to the mile long hill (400 feet above sea level) where can be found the Town Hall, Market Place, many shops and some small hotels and inns.

Fishburn, up until the first World War, was an agricultural village but the opening of the colliery in 1913 led to a transformation in the character of the village. This change was further reinforced by the establishment of the Cokeworks in 1954. Both are now closed and modern housing estates surround the old village.

Mainforth Village lies between Bishop Middleham and Chilton, where Chilton Colliery was formerly the main place of employment. The name derives from Main Fort which suggests either Roman or Danish occupation.

Mordon is a small village and in medieval times was part of the See of Durham. The rich farming land stands at a high altitude and is also situated near marsh and moor.

Trimdon has some 5,000 inhabitants who live in Old Trimdon, Trimdon Grange and Trimdon Colliery. Old Trimdon is a place of considerable antiquity because there is evidence of Bronze Age discoveries. In 1020 it was visited by King Canute and in 1146 the Church was given to Guisborough Priory. The parish was purchased by the Roper family during the reign of Henry VIII after the Dissolution. The wide street crosses Garmondsway Common and contains 18th and 19th century houses. The opening of Trimdon Colliery brought prosperity to the village in the 19th century but this is now closed and the area reclaimed.

Windlestone and Rushyford  is situated on the old Great North Road and has the attractive and much patronised Eden Arms Hotel which has served travellers over many centuries. Windlestone Parish includes the hall and the park, which were in the hands of the Eden family from the time of Queen Elizabeth I. In 1920 the hall became the Wayfarers Benevolent Association Headquarters and has been used as a POW camp and a refuge centre, and is now a residential school used by Durham County Council.

Newton Aycliffe - The name "Newton Aycliffe" was derived from the oak trees which grew in forests in early times (Acle and Yackley were the old names). Newton Aycliffe was the first New Town in the North of England. It was designated on 19th April 1947 on a site of 865 acres, with a target population of 10,000. The town's prime purpose was to provide housing and amenities for the works on the industrial estate being developed on the site of the former Aycliffe Royal Ordnance Factory. The Target population for the town has been amended on several occasions. Its current population is around 28,500.

Spennymoor - The name 'Spennymoor' was derived from two words, the Latin - Spina (Thorn) and the Saxon - Mor (Moorland), which provided free grazing.

An important Roman Military settlement called Vinovium (Binchester) built midway between Piercebridge and Corbridge, formed the first community in the Borough.

During the Middle Ages the Spennymoor area was the property of the Earls of Northumberland and later possessed by the Nevilles who, in 1569, forfeited their land to the Crown because of the failure of the Rising of the North. By 1862 the Borough had become the property of the Church and was controlled by Bishop Van Mildert of Durham. The moor was the common centre which linked Kirk Merrington, Whitworth, Old Park, Binchester, Byers Green and Tudhoe, and provided free grazing for all cattle in the Borough.

Spennymoor suffered under Norman Rule when the Conqueror laid waste the whole of the North of England. Wild animals roamed about the moor and outlaws terrorised the inhabitants. In the 13th century, Merrington Priory acquired all the grazing rights from the surrounding villages. the Charter of 1279 mentions Tudhoe and Spennymoor. At this time, the Scots were constantly attacking and robbing the inhabitants. In 1346, Merrington Church and Village, and Croxdale, were closely associated with the Battle of Neville's Cross. 1616 marked the commencement of coal mining and this was the beginning of a new outlook and later prosperity in Spennymoor. During the 1800's, Spennymoor continued to prosper. New collieries opened at Whitworth and an Iron Foundry at Tudhoe. Housing was speedily improved but 1879 saw the end of industrial progress and a terrible colliery disaster at Tudhoe added to the problems.

Of course, the town is now thoroughly up-to-date as this photograph of the Leisure Centre shows.

Shildon - The first railway town, is a friendly place, steeped in railway history, and can claim to have sent forth the first passenger train to be hauled by a steam engine. The earliest community probably existed in Roman times but there is also definite evidence of people living in Shildon in the 10th century. In Anglo Saxon times, there was mention of Shildon in the years AD821 and 990 when it was associated with South Church, Bishop Auckland. Shildon remained under the protection of the Church from 1085 until the dissolution in 1547. In 1862, Shildon commenced to build wagons when the new engine works at Darlington were opened. Shildon's connections with the railway continued until 1984 when the Wagon Works were closed. Timothy Hackworth's cottages and the renovated Soho Engine Sheds are now museums and open to the public.

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A superb backdrop for any itinerary, the history and heritage of Weardale has been shaped not only by nature but also by the hand of man. Clothed once more in its rural cloak, Weardale was once at the centre of the world's lead mining industry and prior to that was the hunting ground of the all-powerful Prince Bishops of Durham.

In the past, iron ore, limestone and coal were all hewn from the earth but richest of all were Weardale's massive deposits of lead.

Here we also boast the birthplace of railways. On September 27th, 1825, twelve wagons of coal from Etherley Colliery at Witton Park were hitched to George Stephenson's Locomotion No.1: the first train journey on the Stockton & Darlington Railway had begun.

The upland scenery is quite breathtaking, rising to over 2000 feet. Hardy sheep graze these remote moorlands which are pierced by the headwaters of the River Wear. As the river bisects the Dale, the scenery softens and one travels through attractive stone-built hamlets and market towns - each an excellent touring base.

Between these communities you'll discover superb picnic spots, both on the river's banks and at Tunstall and Burnhope reservoirs. Excellent facilities exist for fishing, riding, watersports and even wintertime snow skiing but walking remains pre-eminent among Weardale's many pastimes.

Crook

Referred to as the 'Gateway to Weardale', Crook sits astride the main route from Durham and the East coast and the picturesque upper reaches of the River Wear. The town is steeped in history and offers the visitor the opportunity to shop in a relaxed atmosphere with an excellent variety of shops concentrated in a compact area.

Crook also offers opportunities for relaxation. As well as the leisure facilities at Glenholme, the town can boast an excellent golf course. Situated above the town, it is an exhilarating and demanding course but reputed to offer the best-kept greens in County Durham. With dramatic views over the surrounding countryside, the course is a must for any golfing enthusiast.

The town has ample places to eat, drink and be merry whatever your taste in pubs or cafes may be. Again all within easy reach of the main car parks or bus stops you will soon find somewhere to suit your palette or your purse.

Bishop Auckland

In a commanding position above the Rivers Wear and Gaunless, Bishop Auckland's importance as a river crossing was recognised by the Romans, whose line of supply along Dere Street lies directly below today's main thoroughfare.

Settled by early traders, the little village flourished and grew around the country seat of later residents - the powerful Prince Bishops of Durham. With patronage such as this, the town prospered to become a bustling market town whose twice weekly market still thrives today in the charming square.

Remaining the focus of interest and activity in the town, in the Market Place you're greeted by the romantic, chateau-style facade of Bishop Auckland Town Hall. Completed in 1862, and recently renovated, it is the town's cultural heart.

Just off the Market Place, through an imposing gateway, Auckland Castle rests impressively in 800 acres of landscaped parkland. The result of lavish spending by the Prince Bishops, today's Gothic splendour dates from extensive remodelling in 1760, when it became the Bishop's main residence.

Inside, state rooms are richly furnished, their plaster ceilings decorated with exquisite tracery. Among its treasures are the priceless paintings by the Spanish artist Zurberan, depicting Jacob and his twelve sons. The lovely chapel of St. Peter is undoubtedly the Castle's finest feature. Based on the former Norman banqueting hall, the interior boasts Frosterley marble, Cosin woodwork and a rare Father Smith organ. Beautiful stained glass windows depict the story of the growth of Christianity in the region.

Stroll through the walled Bishop's Park to inspect the unusual deer house and to admire the superb panoramic views. The restful Park gives no hint today of the drama it witnessed in 1346, when 16,000 English soldiers were billeted there prior to the bloody battle of Neville's Cross.

A short drive from the centre of Bishop Auckland will take you to two superb examples of even earlier ages. To the north-east can be found finely preserved Roman remains at Binchester and, to the west, the gem of the Saxon church at Escomb. Explore these and the other villages around Bishop Auckland and discover the rich history of this part of the world.

Stanhope

Often described as the "capital of Weardale", this bustling town has much to offer the visitor. In the grounds of St Thomas' Church, overlooking the Market Place, can be seen a fossil tree thought to be 250 million years old and originally discovered near Edmund Byers, just north of Weardale.

A few yards away stands the Durham Dales Centre with its award-winning Information Centre (Tel: +44 (0) 1388 - 527650), craft shops and country tearoom. If it is a hot day, you can cool off in the town's open air swimming pool.

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