Bowburn

Settlement in Durham

England

Bowburn

The A688 seen from Durham Services Credit: habiloid

Bowburn is a small village located in County Durham, England. Situated approximately 5 miles south-east of Durham city, it falls within the Bowburn and Cassop parish. With a population of around 4,500 residents, Bowburn retains a quaint and close-knit community atmosphere.

The village boasts a rich history, dating back to the medieval era when it was primarily an agricultural settlement. Over time, Bowburn experienced significant growth, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries with the advent of coal mining and the establishment of local collieries. However, following the decline of the coal industry in the 1980s, Bowburn has adapted to become a residential area with a diverse range of housing options.

Bowburn offers several amenities to its residents, including a primary school, a community center, a public library, and a medical center. The village has a variety of shops, pubs, and restaurants, catering to the needs of its inhabitants. Additionally, there are regular bus services connecting Bowburn to Durham city and nearby towns.

The village benefits from its proximity to the natural beauty of County Durham, with picturesque countryside and walks nearby. Additionally, Bowburn is conveniently located near major road networks, such as the A1(M), enabling easy access to surrounding areas.

Overall, Bowburn offers a peaceful and friendly environment, making it an attractive place to live for those seeking a balance between rural tranquility and accessibility to urban amenities.

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Bowburn Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.739819/-1.520796 or Grid Reference NZ3038. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The A688 seen from Durham Services

habiloid

The Days Inn hotel, Durham Services

habiloid

Integra 61 Groundwork

Preparatory work for construction of new industrial units as part of the Integra 61 development.

David Robinson

Curious Cow

A minor footpath blockage in the shape of curious young cows.

David Robinson

Bowburn Hall Hotel

Formerly known as Bowburn Grange.

Colin Kinnear

Ice, mud and ruts at field entrance

Fields north-west of the small village at Quarrington Hill accessed from a gate on minor road.

Trevor Littlewood

Bridge carrying A688 over access road for Old Quarrington

The road beneath the bridge is the only public motor road access for the small settlement at Old Quarrington. The blue and yellow road sign is typical of many found in County Durham.

Trevor Littlewood

Unmade road east of Old Quarrington

The tarmacked road reaching Old Quarrington ends there as a public road but continues as an unmade one to the east of the village where it joins another road. OS mapping differs according to its age and source in how access along the routes applies. Some maps including paper ones in the possession of the photographer show the upper road as a bridleway continuing to Quarrington Hill. Others show the bridleway ending east of Quarrington Farm. The County Durham definitive map, (January 2022), now shows the lower, southern road to be the route of the bridleway and that must be considered to be the actual current situation. The explanation is that the upper, northern road is now in use by Tarmac as a quarry access road and is a private way. Part of Tarmac's Quarrington Quarry can be seen in the image.

Trevor Littlewood

Durham Services car park

Looking along the frontage of Days Inn Motel

Martin Dawes

Durham Services car park with A688 beyond

Leading to A1(M) Junction 61

Martin Dawes

Cuckooflower

Cardamine pratensis, commonly called Cuckooflower or Lady's Smock. The County Flower of Cheshire as assigned by Plantlife in their 2002 County Flowers campaign.

David Robinson

Claring Street, Bowburn

Bowburn's tightly packed terraced houses are typical of a Durham mining village although here, at least, the windows have been replaced. Steavenson Street, with its unusual spelling, leads off to the left and each pair of streets has a lane running between the back yards.

Stephen McKay

Approach to the Site of Whitwell Colliery

Although Whitwell Colliery closed before 1900, a shallow cutting with a junction can still be made out on the former waggonway from Cassop Vale on the approach to the site of the colliery.

David Robinson