A historical look at Darlington, England: Before the Railways.

Darlington is a Town and Borough that is situated between Durham, Teeside and North Yorkshire. In the past it was part of Durham and now is sometimes classed as being part of Teeside. It sits on top of the River Tees and the Skerne runs down through the town until it reaches the Tees just on the outskirts of Croft Village. Darlington did not come into existance until the 12th Century, however there have been settlements in and around the Darlington area since at least Roman times.

Piercebridge sits on Dire Street which during Roman times was one of the most important transport roots. It is believed that the Romans came here in 70AD. Today it is a village but the remains of the Roman Fort and now dry bridge can be seen and visited.

The site is free to visit and it is a great place to explore if you are interested in Roman History.

The Ruins that are visible are thought to date from around 270AD.

Directions to Piercebridge

Piercebridge is situated off the A67 between Darlington and Barnard Castle. To get to it by car follow sighs for the A67. When traveling North on the A1 take the Barton slip road (Junction 56) and follow the Piercebridge signs. If traveling south on the A1 then take (Junction 58), Follow the A68 towards Darlington then turn south onto the B6280 Carmel Road before turning right at the next roundabout, taking the A67 toward Barnard Castle, Piercebridge will be on your left after around 5 miles.

Parking

Please use the George Hotel.

It was in the Early part of the 11th Century that Darlington is first mentioned in written form. It's name at the time was Dearthingtun which was probably originally Deornoth ing tun. It is translated to mean the estate belonging to Deaornoth. It started life as a small Anglo-Saxon village. Darlington became a market town sometime in the 12th Century and by 1180 it had a population of several hundred. There were wool and leather industries in the town at this time. St Cuthbert's Church was built on the Bank of the Skerne in about 1183. It is now a grade 1 listed building.

In 1150 a place called Haltun was first recorded about a 1 ^1/2 miles from Darlington. It is situated on the Banks of the Skerne. Today Haltun now known as Haughton-Le-Skerne is still a village which is part of the town. Haughton Church or St. Andrews to give it its real name dates from around 1125 and is the oldest building still standing. (My mom has the honor of working in the Church everyday and I visit 2 graves there as regularily as I can as my Dad and Step-Grandad are both buried in the old memorial garden at the bottom of the church yard.)

The Google image shows the Church and Church Yard. If you scroll the map North you will bring the Butler House and Rectory into view. and the local War memorial is to the East right on the road junction.

Haughton also has a lovely little Methodist Chapel and a more modern Catholic Church as well as some lovely older houses which are situated just off the green.

The River Tees and its tributary the Skerne were both industrial rivers in their passed and the Tees still is at its seaward end at what was once known as Port Darlington,a place I will say more about in my next article.

The Tees is also a land border. The point at which Durham and Yorkshire met and to some still do meet. At one time it was actually the border between England and Scotland.

It was after David became King of the Scots in 1124 that the Tees became the Scottish Border.