Historic County Durham
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about County Durham from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover County Durham's listed buildings and places
Introducing some of County Durham's most significant historic sites, curated from the National Heritage List for England.
Harperley Working Camp, World War II prisoner of war camp…
Wolsingham
In the early history of warfare, people captured were frequently slaughtered or regarded as property.
Stanley War Memorial
Stanley
Stanley War Memorial, which stands in the churchyard of St Andrew’s Church, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Group value:...
The former Stockton and Darlington Railway's Heighington …
Great Aycliffe
Built as a public house 1826-1827 to oversee a Stockton & Darlington Railway coal depot, effectively built as a proto-railway station before the...
Durham Castle and Cathedral
City of Durham
The official listing for all World Heritage sites is held by UNESCO and can be found on their website.
Stockton & Darlington Railway: Etherley Inclines, summit …
Etherley
Standing, earthwork and buried remains forming the summit and upper 0.6-0.7km lengths of the northern and southern Etherley Inclines forming part of...
Cattle Market Auction Building
Tow Law
Cattle market auction building constructed in 1882. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Ice House in Auckland Castle Park
County Durham
Ice house, late C18 with a renewed C19 entrance tunnel. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Statue of Third Marquess of Londonderry
City of Durham
Statue of the Third Marquess of Londonderry, 1858, to the designs of Raffaelle Monti. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Trimdon Grange Colliery Disaster Memorial
Trimdon
Colliery Disaster Memorial, 1882, by G Ryder & Sons.
Easington Colliery Disaster Memorial (including memorial …
Easington Colliery
Easington Colliery Disaster Memorial of 1953-4. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Coldberry lead mine and associated hushes
Middleton in Teesdale
Approximately 10,000 lead industry sites are estimated to survive in England, spanning nearly three millennia of mining history from the later Bronze...
Main Buildings at St Cuthbert's College, Ushaw, Quadrangl…
Esh
College buildings, 1808 and later by A. W. N. Pugin, E. W. Pugin, J. Hansom, P. P. Pugin and others.
80 Newgate Street
Bishop Auckland
Co-operative stores of 1873 with later-C19 extensions and C20 alterations.
Former Junior Seminary at St Cuthbert's College, Ushaw
Esh
The Junior Seminary at St Cuthbert's College, Ushaw is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Group value: the Junior Seminary has a...
Roman Catholic Church of St Peter and St Paul
Hutton Henry
Roman Catholic Church, 1895 to designs of John Kelly of Leeds. Italianate style. The attached parish hall is excluded from the listing.
Complex of Chapels at the College of St Cuthbert, Ushaw
Esh
Complex incorporating chapels, cloister, sacristy and ancillary spacesVarying dates between 1852 and 1928 (although incorporating elements of 1844-7...
Newton Cap Bridge
Bishop Auckland
Newton Cap Bridge across the River Wear, constructed in about 1600 is listed at Grade I for the following principal reasons: it occupies an important...
Apollo Pavilion
Peterlee
The Apollo Pavilion, Oakerside Drive, Peterlee, is both a sculpture and a bridge, designed by Victor Pasmore and completed in 1969, standing at the...
Newton Cap Railway Viaduct over River Wear
Bishop Auckland
Newton Cap Viaduct (DBA/7), erected between 1854 and 1857, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: it benefits from a historic and...
Rey Cross Roman temporary camp and signal station, and pr…
Bowes
Roman camps are rectangular or sub-rectangular enclosures which were constructed and used by Roman soldiers either when out on campaign or as practice...
Seaham War Memorial
Seaham
First World War memorial designed by Mr TA Lawson, unveiled 1922, with later additions for the Second World War.
Church of St Osmund and linking range to presbytery
Gainford
Roman Catholic Church and linking range to presbytery, 1853-5 to the designs of Thomas Gibson of Newcastle; reordered 1981 and refurbished 1990.
Former Gregory Butchers Shop
Bishop Auckland
Former beef and pork butchers shop, 103-105 Newgate Street built for William Gregory in the mid-C19, and refronted and refurbished in about 1909.
Well Head in Auckland Castle Park
County Durham
This well head, of mid-C18 date, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: it retains its historic relationship with the listed...
Soho House
Shildon
Soho House, Shildon is included on the List at Grade II for the following principal reasons: one of a group of early railway related structures in...
Jock's Bridge
Bishop Auckland
Road Bridge, C18; the east elevation was partially rebuilt in the early C19.
Deer Shelter in Auckland Castle Park
Bishop Auckland
Deer shelter, about 1760 For Bishop Richard Trevor. Gothic revival style. Read the official list entry to find out more.
New Brancepeth War Memorial
Brandon and Byshottles
New Brancepeth War Memorial, which stands outside the village hall, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Architectural interest:...
Railway accommodation bridge BIF/11 at NZ 225 310
County Durham
This railway accommodation bridge (BIF/11) erected in 1885 for the Spennymoor Branch of the North Eastern Railway Company, is listed at Grade II for...
Soho Engine Shed, originally Kilburns' warehouse
Shildon
Warehouse, built in 1826 to take advantage of the Stockton & Darlington Railway having opened the previous year, subsequently used as part of Soho...
Legs Cross
Bolam
High crosses, frequently heavily decorated, were erected in a variety of locations in the eighth, ninth and tenth centuries AD.
Locomotive coaling drops
Shildon
Coal drops designed for refuelling steam locomotives, built in 1846 for the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
Church of St Mary Magdalen
Seaham
Roman Catholic church, 1906-1907 to the designs of Thomas Axtell; Romanesque style.
Lady's Rake lead mine
Forest and Frith
Approximately 10,000 lead industry sites are estimated to survive in England, spanning nearly three millennia of mining history from the later Bronze...
Cotherstone Friends Meeting House
Cotherstone
Friends Meeting House, built in 1797, with a porch added in 1837. Later alterations. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Deer shelter in Auckland Castle deer park
Bishop Auckland
Deer shelter, about 1760 For Bishop Richard Trevor. Gothic Revival style.
Stockton & Darlington Railway: Belts Gill embankment, low…
Etherley
The Stockton & Darlington Railway: Belts Gill embankment, the lower part of the northern Etherley Incline, is included on the Schedule for the...
Number 2 Old Engine Houses, including marker stone
Shildon
Engine house built for the opening of the S&DR in 1825 for the steam engine hauling the Brusselton inclines, converted to domestic use some time after...
Historic County Durham through time
The National Heritage List for England contains hundreds of details about buildings and places, including the periods in which they were built and the uses they've had over the years. Explore how your local area has changed through time.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion and the introduction of writing. Primarily hunter-gatherers of several human species including Neanderthals, the peoples moved across Europe, hunting animals, exchanging ideas and developing complex culture and belief systems including burial rites and astronomical understanding, as at Stonehenge for example.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanantly altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion and the introduction of writing. Primarily hunter-gatherers of several human species including Neanderthals, the peoples moved across Europe, hunting animals, exchanging ideas and developing complex culture and belief systems including burial rites and astronomical understanding, as at Stonehenge for example.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanantly altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of County Durham
Historic aerial photography shows the growth and changes in England's urban and rural landscapes, revealing secrets that are impossible to see from the ground.
Langley Park
Ushaw College, Langley Park, 1926
Langley Park
Ushaw College, Langley Park, 1926
Barnard Castle
Galgate and Horse Market, Barnard Castle, 1927
Barnard Castle
The castle ruins and environs, Barnard Castle, 1947
Durham
The Cathedral Church of Christ and St Mary the Virgin and the castle, Durham, 1926
Durham
Durham Cathedral and the Peninsula, Durham, 1948
Egglestone Abbey
The abbey ruins, Abbey Farm and environs, Egglestone Abbey, 1947
Egglestone Abbey
The abbey ruins, Egglestone Abbey, 1947
Crook
The Durham Timber Co Sawmill and the South End Villas, Crook, 1939
Crook
Marshall Richards Machine Company Works and environs, Crook, 1948
Historic England Archive images of County Durham
The Historic England Archive holds and cares for over 15 million images, from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of County Durham's past.
Charles George Harper Collection
Durham, County Durham
Date created: 1800 - 1900
Watercolour painting of Neville's Cross
Eric de Mare
County Durham
Date created: 1945 - 1980
Exterior view of Bladgrave's House in Barnard Castle from the street.
John Gay Collection: Modern Architects
Durham, County Durham
Date created: 1965 - 1979
A view from the footbridge looking across the lake towards Van Mildert College, Durham with one of the Tyne and Tees student accommodation blocks...
John Gay Collection: Counties
County Durham
Date created: Late 1940s - Early 1950s
View over a dry stone wall towards a partly rendered, rubble stone cottage with a slate roof and attached single storey building with a pantile roof,...
John Laing Collection
Durham, County Durham
Date created: 01 Aug 1972
A view along a corridor off an entrance to the life science block at Durham University
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Auckland Castle Park, County Durham
Date created: 1904 - 1908
A footbridge, known as the Green Bridge, over the River Gaunless at Auckland Castle Park
Walter Scott
County Durham
Date created: 1946
Looking through the nave of Durham Cathedral, showing the tall 17th century wooden font cover
Eric de Mare
County Durham
Date created: 1945 - 1980
General view of Barnard Castle bridge which was erected in 1596.
John Gay Collection: Modern Architects
Durham, County Durham
Date created: 1965 - 1979
A view from the footbridge looking across the lake towards Van Mildert College, Durham with one of the Tyne and Tees student accommodation blocks...
John Gay Collection: Counties
County Durham
Date created: Late 1940s - Early 1950s
A partly rendered, rubble stone cottage with a slate roof and attached single storey building with a pantile roof, probably in, or near, Barnard...
Stories about heritage in County Durham
Historic England publishes news, blogs, videos and podcasts celebrating England's heritage. Discover the stories we have about County Durham.
The Legend of King Arthur
Mentions County Durham, Binchester Roman fort (Vinovia)
King Arthur was central to the legendary tales of medieval romance. Discover the places connected to Camelot, Tintagel, and the Battle of Badon Hill.
5 Places of South Asian Heritage in North East England
Mentions County Durham
Delve into the rich narratives, traditions, and legacies of South Asian communities woven into the fabric of this diverse corner of England.
10 Places with Coal Mining History
Mentions County Durham
Evidence of England’s coal mining heritage can still be found nationwide.
16 Stories of African Lives in Northern England
Mentions County Durham
Discover the often untold stories of brilliant and resilient people of African heritage.
8 of England’s Most Beautiful Cathedrals to Visit
Mentions County Durham, Cathedral Church of Christ and St Mary the Virgin
From Norman to Modernist, there are many different architectural styles on show in England’s cathedrals.
A Guide to Norman Architecture in England
Mentions County Durham, Cathedral Church of Christ and St Mary the Virgin
Norman architecture is a style of medieval architecture built in England following the Norman conquest in 1066.
The Modernist Buildings of Engineer Ove Arup
Mentions County Durham, Kingsgate Bridge
Ove Arup is considered to be one of the most important structural engineers of the 20th-century. Here’s our guide to his most significant work.
7 Places That Tell Us About the History of Migration in England
Mentions County Durham
These 7 objects help to tell the history of migration journeys to England.
Historic England Acquires World-Class Collection Featuring Earliest and Finest Photographs of England
Mentions County Durham
An important collection of some of the finest earliest landscape photography of England has been added to the Historic England Archive.
Historic England Awards £400,000 to Ushaw for Emergency Repair Works
Mentions Former Junior Seminary at St Cuthbert's College, Ushaw, Former Junior Seminary Chapel of St Aloysius at St. Cuthbert's College, Ushaw, County Durham
Historic England has given £400,000 for emergency works to safeguard a fire-damaged former Catholic chapel in County Durham from further deterioration
16 Remarkable Historic Places Listed in 2023
Mentions County Durham
Take a closer look at the historic gems that were examined, protected and added to the National Heritage List for England in 2023.
World’s First Railway Station Awarded Upgraded Listing Status
Mentions The former Stockton and Darlington Railway's Heighington and Aycliffe Railway Station and attached workers' housing, County Durham
Heighington and Aycliffe Railway Station, thought to be the world’s first railway station, has been upgraded to Grade II*.
Celebrating the Bishop Auckland Heritage Action Zone
Mentions County Durham
Over the past five years, the Bishop Auckland Heritage Action Zone has demonstrated that heritage can be a powerful force for levelling up.
Bishop Auckland MP Shows Support for Regeneration of Historic Town Centre
Mentions Auckland Castle West Mural Tower and West Walls, Mcintyre
Dehenna Davison MP visits Bishop Auckland town centre to see how Historic England and Durham County Council are working together to develop the area.
Northern Souls – Down The Welly
Mentions County Durham
A new project funded by Historic England has captured the fond memories of a social club in the former mining village of Easington in County Durham.
Historic England Highlights Fascinating Heritage Sites Listed in 2022
Mentions County Durham
As 2022 draws to a close, Historic England highlights gems added to the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) over the last 12 months.
Explore your social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about heritage in their local area.
Wolsingham Ironworks, Wolsingham, Durham
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
Charles Attwood founded an iron works in Wolsingham and patented a new method of steelmaking.
Wolsingham Ironworks, Wolsingham, Durham
Witton Castle, Evenwood and Barony, Durham
Period: Medieval (Middle Ages) (1066 - 1484)
Witton Castle probably dates from the late 14th century. The licence to crenellate was granted in 1410.
Witton Castle, Evenwood and Barony, Durham
Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, Durham
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
Witham Hall dates from the late 1840s or early 1850s and was designed using classical architecture, in this case of the Ionic order.
Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, Durham
Winding tower, Murton Colliery, Murton, Durham
Period: 1990s (1990 - 1999)
South Hetton Coal Company installed the overhead Koepe Winder in December 1923 for the Murton Colliery.
Winding tower, Murton Colliery, Murton, Durham
Westerton Folly, Bishop Auckland, Durham
Period: Georgian (1714 - 1836)
This observatory tower dates from 1765. It was used at one time as a reading room and by 1924 as council offices.
Westerton Folly, Bishop Auckland, Durham
War Memorial, Tow Law, Durham
Period: World War One (1914 - 1919)
This war memorial was put up around 1919 in Wolsingham Road. It is in the shape of a life size figure of a soldier advancing with his bayonet fixed.
War Memorial, Tow Law, Durham
Walton Memorial, Ferryhill, Durham
Period: Edwardian (1902 - 1913)
This memorial to William Walton was put up in the Market Place around 1906 by the officials and workmen of the Dean and Chapter colliery.
Walton Memorial, Ferryhill, Durham
Village School, Barningham, Durham
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
Barningham village school was built in 1875.
Village School, Barningham, Durham
Visit grant-aided places near you
These places and buildings have been helped by Historic England's financial grants. Find local heritage in your neighbourhood that you never knew existed! Please note that opening times may vary.
Brancepeth Castle, Durham,
14th century castle built by the powerful Neville family, with substantial Regency additions.
Castle Curtilage ProjectAuckland Castle,
Auckland Castle is one of the best-preserved Bishop’s palaces in Europe, surrounded by extensive Gardens and a 150-acre Deer Park.
Bounds Walls, Ushaw College
The Bounds Walls, Grade II*, by Joseph Hansom 1852, were built to enclose the north and north east arcs of a playing field and include courts for...
West Mural Tower, Auckland Castle
Listed at grade I, the West Mural Tower contains the remains of the West precinct wall of Auckland Castle, running north-south.
Discover more Heritage nearby
Have you got another local place, or somewhere you're planning to visit? Take a look at these other places nearby
