Chester-le-Street

The historic market town of Chester-le-Street is in County Durham; with a rich, diverse history that dates back to Roman times when it went by the name ‘Concangis’. There is a close association with religion and Chester-le-Street is where the bible was first translated into English. Here too, on the evening of 5^th October 1936, the Jarrow marchers ended their first day's walk, accommodated in the church hall before continuing ‘The Jarrow March’. This crusade was a protest march against unemployment and extreme poverty suffered in North East England. A journey of nearly 300 miles to London’s Palace of Westminster was completed by some 200 marchers. Sadly nothing was achieved; the ship industries remained closed and the marchers given their train fare back from London.

Lying on the River Wear, this pretty town still bustles as a market town, with markets are held on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Good amenities and the historic significance of Chester-le-Street combine with the lovely countryside, to make this a pleasure for visitors. When visiting, it is worth including a visit to the St Mary and St Cuthbert church that is now a museum as well as the local nature reserve of Waldridge Fell; the only uncultivated lowland common in County Durham.