Witton Gilbert is a village and civil parish in County Durham, England.

Geography

Witton Gilbert is situated about to the north-west of Durham. River Browney passes to the south of the village, while Dene Burn, one of its tributaries, runs through it. Parts of the Prior of Durham's Park of Beaurepaire are within the bounds of Witton Gilbert.

The village once had a railway station on the Lanchester Valley Line, but this was closed in the early 1960s, with passenger service withdrawn in the late 1930s. However, the station building survives as a private residence, along with one of the platforms. The former railway line has been turned into a foot and cycle path and is part of National Cycle Route 14.

History

There is archaeological evidence of the area having been populated in the late Neolithic and in the Bronze Age periods. A small Roman settlement at Crookton across the River Browney existed as a settlement until the 13th century. Tenants built walls to keep the game off the fields.

Leper Hospital

Around 1175, Gilbert de la Ley, Lord of the Manor and tenant of the Bishop of Durham, financed the building of a leper hospital. The hospital originally took in five lepers, their number later increased to eight. Wealthy lords often funded hospitals for the lepers out of Christian concern for their suffering and as an act of piety.

The hospital had its own chapel for worship and continued to operate until the dissolution of the monasteries when the inmates were dispersed to fend for themselves. Afterwards, the hospital was converted to a farmhouse and is still in use. A medieval window frame carved out of stone can still be seen from Coach Lane, and the original entrance is now a doorway inside.

St. Michael and all Angels parish church

Hugh Pudsey, Bishop of Durham in the late 12th century, felt the need for a church in Witton because St. Oswalds in Durham was too far away. The church was built around 1175 AD

References

  • Community website
  • Subterranea Britannica entry on Witton Gilbert station.