Townfield

Settlement in Durham

England

Townfield

Presser Pumping Station near the top of Bale Hill Consett Water Company established in 1859 merged and became the Weardale and Consett Water Company in 1902. Some time late in the 19th or early 20th century one of the two former companies had taken over the engine house of closed Derwent Lead Mines and developed this Grade II Listed pumping house to supply water to Consett. It is reported that they started paying rent to the estate in 1902 and the rent in 1911 was £360. — Presser Pumping Station near the top of Bale Hill Credit: Jo and Steve Turner

Townfield is a small village located in County Durham, in the northeast of England. Situated about 7 miles southwest of the city of Durham, Townfield is nestled amidst picturesque countryside, offering residents and visitors a peaceful and rural environment.

The village itself is characterized by a traditional English charm, with a scattering of quaint cottages and well-maintained gardens. The community of Townfield is close-knit, fostering a strong sense of belonging and camaraderie among its residents. The village is home to a small population, estimated to be around 500 people, creating a close community atmosphere.

Although Townfield is predominantly residential, it benefits from its proximity to Durham city, with easy access to a range of amenities and services. The city provides opportunities for employment, education, and shopping, making Townfield an ideal location for those seeking a tranquil rural lifestyle without being too far from urban conveniences.

Surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, Townfield offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The village is close to the River Wear, which provides scenic walks and fishing spots. Additionally, the nearby Durham Dales and North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offer stunning countryside vistas, perfect for hiking, cycling, and exploring.

Overall, Townfield presents an idyllic rural retreat with a strong sense of community, while still providing access to the wider amenities and opportunities available in Durham city.

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Townfield Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.829635/-2.0777849 or Grid Reference NY9548. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Presser Pumping Station near the top of Bale Hill

Consett Water Company established in 1859 merged and became the Weardale and Consett Water Company in 1902. Some time late in the 19th or early 20th century one of the two former companies had taken over the engine house of closed Derwent Lead Mines and developed this Grade II Listed pumping house to supply water to Consett. It is reported that they started paying rent to the estate in 1902 and the rent in 1911 was £360.

Jo and Steve Turner

Newbiggin Hall and Birkside Farm from Bale Hill

The Reverend Daniel Capper sold up Newbiggin and Hunstanworth estate by auction in London on 1st August 1865. The sales brochure describes the mansion house of Newbiggin as the jewel in the estate crown. Rev Capper had recently spent £30,000 on new farm buildings, the latest water power machinery and rebuilding the estate cottages "with four rooms each". Kelly's Directory 1894 tells us it is owned by Edward Joicey esq. J.P. Pevsner documents that the house was rebuilt in Neo-classical style in 1906 after a fire of 1904 from a Latin inscription on the west wall. Reports indicate it has been a First World War sanatorium, a turkey farm and hotel and was more recently owned by a member of the Arabian royal family who stays a couple of times a year for the grouse shooting.

Jo and Steve Turner

View to East High House Farm from Bale Hill

Jo and Steve Turner

Hunstanworth from Bale Hill

Hunstanworth is one of the 'Thankful Villages' (a term popularised by the writer Arthur Mee in the 1930s) that suffered no fatalities during the Great War of 1914-1918. The unusual patterns in the roof tiles was a creation of architect Samuel Sanders Teulon who had been commissioned by Reverend Daniel Capper, landowner who would stay in Newbiggin Hall during the grouse shooting season, to build a new church, school, reading room, shop and workers' terraced cottages in 1863. The distinctive diamond-patterned, steep-pitched roofs and Victorian Gothic detail make Hunstanworth unique among the villages of the North Pennines. Closure of the local lead mines in the 1880s diminished the 800 strong population (778 in 1861) to just 200 by 1901. The population of the village in 2011 was 116. John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales of 1870-72 informs us that "the church was rebuilt in 1865, at a cost of £2,500".

Jo and Steve Turner