Top 15 Attractions in Washington, Tyne and Wear, England

A new town in Tyne and Wear, Washington is comprised of a collection of villages, conveniently located equidistant from the cities of Sunderland, Newcastle, and Durham. Moreover, the journey to each of these cities can be completed in approximately 20 minutes by road, presenting numerous opportunities for exploration in the local area.

Historically, Washington is notable as the ancestral home of George Washington’s family until the 16th century. Their ancestral residence is now a property managed by the National Trust, showcasing beautiful 17th-century architecture along with interiors that date back several centuries earlier.

Washington is home to two of the most recognizable landmarks in the North East: the Penshaw Monument and the Angel of the North. Additionally, the renowned Beamish Museum and the Riverside Ground, famous for first-class and international cricket, are located nearby.

1. Washington Old Hall

This historic manor house, with origins tracing back to the 12th century, served as the ancestral home of the first President of the United States, George Washington. His family resided here until the 16th century before relocating to Sulgrave Manor in Northamptonshire, resulting in the Old Hall being sold to the Bishop of Durham.

In the late 19th century, the property was converted into tenement flats, rendering it uninhabitable by the 1930s. Following a comprehensive restoration after World War II, the Old Hall was reopened by the American ambassador and entrusted to the National Trust for preservation.

The majority of the manor house’s architectural features are from the early 1600s, showcasing stone mullioned windows and remnants of the earlier medieval structure. The gardens feature a geometric 17th-century parterre and a peaceful nuttery, which facilitates educational activities for children, such as building insect habitats.

2. Penshaw Monument

Dominating the landscape for miles, the Penshaw Monument is a Neoclassical gritstone structure situated atop a 136-meter hill. Constructed in the 1840s, this monument was built in reverence of John George Lambton (1792-1840), the inaugural governor of the Province of Canada. Lambton’s contributions to the Durham Report of 1838, which examined ways for the UK to more effectively govern its colonies, were honored with this monument.

The monument rises to a height of 20 meters and extends 30 meters in length, complete with a concealed stairway leading to the upper entablature. This stairway was reopened in 2011 following repairs, but access is limited to guided tours arranged through the National Trust. Regardless of whether one ascends to the top, visitors can enjoy magnificent vistas of Tyne and Wear, extending to the North Sea.

3. North East Land, Sea and Air Museums

The largest assembly of aircraft within the region is displayed at the former airbase, RAF Usworth. This collection primarily features exhibits from the UK’s post-war aviation period, including notable models like the Gloster Meteor, English Electric Lightning, Hawker Hunter, and the historically significant Avro Vulcan. This latter aircraft made history as the first Vulcan to be integrated into a private collection when it was flown to the museum during the 1980s.

Over 30 aircraft are on display, alongside various supporting equipment such as Rolls-Royce, Bristol, and De Havilland engines, a WE.177 nuclear weapon, the remnants of a German Heinkel He 111 bomber from World War II, a Bristol Bloodhound surface-to-air missile launcher, and a WWI Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft gun.

4. WWT Washington Wetland Centre

Within this Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust facility, visitors can observe a diverse array of migratory birds, in addition to a collection of exotic species housed in specially designed habitats. Among the permanent residents are Asian short-clawed otters, Chilean flamingos, Hawaiian geese, and white-faced whistling ducks.

The park offers bird feed for sale, allowing visitors—especially children—to engage closely with these species while providing nourishment. Encompassing over 100 acres along the banks of the Wear, the center features ancient woodlands, two reed beds, and a substantial lake. The reeds serve as a sanctuary for sedge warblers, reed buntings, and reed warblers, while the lake, known as Wader Lake, welcomes oystercatchers, tufted ducks, curlews, little-ringed plovers, redshanks, lapwings, and pied avocets.

5. Angel of the North

A symbol of the North East, the Angel of the North is a monumental contemporary sculpture crafted by Anthony Gormley. Situated on a hill adjacent to the East Coast Main Line and the A1 as well as A167 roads, this impressive work reaches a height of 20 meters, featuring wings that span 54 meters. One intriguing aspect of the wings is their inward angle of 3.5°, designed to offer a “sense of embrace.” The sculpture is constructed from steel, showcasing a rusty patina as a homage to Tyneside’s industrial history.

To secure the sculpture against strong winds, it is anchored to the hilltop with 600 tons of concrete that extends 21 meters into the ground. Although the project faced controversy during its inception in the mid-90s, it was warmly received upon completion and has since become a cherished landmark, frequently featured in television and film as an emblem of Tyneside.

6. Beamish Museum

Functioning as a vast historical repository, this exemplary museum encapsulates industrial life in the North of England during the Edwardian era at the inception of the 20th century, along with the Georgian period coinciding with the onset of the Industrial Revolution. The museum features authentic buildings, either preserved in situ or meticulously reassembled, as well as a plethora of industrial artifacts, vehicles, farm animals, and a dedicated group of costumed interpreters.

In the recreated town of the 1900s, visitors can witness the traditional crafting of sweets and remedies at the sweetshop and pharmacy, experience what a dental visit entailed over a century ago, enjoy a pint at an Edwardian pub or sip tea in a genuine period tearoom. Additionally, a functioning 1.5-mile tramway and a narrow-gauge colliery railway provide unique transport experiences.

Within the Pit Village, guests have the opportunity to descend into an authentic drift mine from the 1900s, learning about the challenging realities of underground work through guided tours.

7. Arts Centre Washington

Housed within a transformed stone farm complex, the Arts Centre Washington operates as a multi-disciplinary cultural hub with a dynamic program designed to engage a diverse audience. When this article was produced, the spring program had included productions such as a solo adaptation of Twelfth Night, a freestyle rap comedian addressing social themes, and a poetic rendition of Homer’s Odyssey, among many other plays, art exhibitions, and family-friendly shows.

The Arts Centre stands out as a vital venue for live music in the area and fosters community engagement through workshops, arts and crafts fairs, and various courses. It also provides studio space for artists, photographers, and local businesses engaged in the arts.

8. Bowes Railway

Engineered by steam locomotive pioneer George Stephenson in 1826, Bowes Railway remains the sole preserved standard gauge cable railway system currently in operation. This railway was initially constructed to transport coal from the Springfield colliery to the River Tyne, utilizing steam power alongside incline planes and ropes.

Trains traverse the 1.5-mile track during the first weekend of each month from February to December, while the workshops and yard function as a static museum on Tuesdays and Thursdays, offering extensive information about the railway and mining history in Tyne and Wear. The continued operation of the railway relies on public donations, and the site hosts a variety of events, including 1940s-themed days, firework displays, and holiday-themed activities.

9. Washington ‘F’ Pit

A formidable testament to Washington’s extensive coal mining heritage, the Washington ‘F’ Pit is a former colliery located at Albany Park. The shaft, established in 1777, stands as one of the region’s oldest mines, employing approximately 1,500 workers at its peak during the mid-20th century.

The striking headframe and winding gear will certainly catch the attention of visitors, alongside the engine house constructed in 1903, which houses a horizontal simplex steam engine from 1888. For enthusiasts of industrial architecture, this site merits a visit solely for its exterior views.

Occasionally, the pit is open to visitors, although it is advisable to contact Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens for irregular hours of operation.

10. Princess Anne Park

Extending over a vast area of natural grasslands and woodlands, Princess Anne Park begins just south of the Galleries Shopping Centre, stretching down to Fatfield. Predominantly left in a natural state, the park features the banks of a small stream, Oxclose Burn.

Summer picnics are facilitated by the open meadows, complemented by various walking paths that meander through the woods. Although the layout of the park is characterized by its free-flowing design resulting in limited facilities, visitors will find the Washington Leisure Centre located at the northern end along with a nearby skate park.

11. Herrington Country Park

Across the road from the Penshaw Monument lies this country park, providing a direct view of the notable landmark. The park occupies the site of an old colliery and features various public art installations, some highlighting the local mining history, such as a severed pit wheel.

The park’s lake attracts an array of geese, ducks, and swans, while a designated picnic area with seating is available on the north bank. For refreshments, visitors can access the park’s café near the primary entrance, located off the Washington Highway, with additional pub options in both Penshaw and Herrington.

12. Riverside Ground

Located just ten minutes from Washington, the Riverside Ground serves as the home venue for Durham County Cricket Club at Chester-le-Street. This international venue hosts occasional Test matches, along with a more frequent schedule of One-Day Internationals and shorter T20 matches.

Construction commenced on Riverside Ground following Durham’s incorporation into first-class cricket in 1991. With a capacity to accommodate 19,000 spectators during international events, the venue offers stunning views across the Wear toward the 14th-century Lumley Castle, which has now been transformed into a luxury hotel.

For those unfamiliar with the game of cricket, there’s no better environment to gain an understanding than this scenic location. Throughout the summer months, Durham competes in Division Two of the County Championship, spotlighting players like England’s Ben Stokes and Australia’s Cameron Bancroft following the retirement of star player Paul Collingwood in 2018.

13. Birkheads Secret Gardens

Situated in proximity to Beamish, this self-sufficient garden showcases a variety of rare and resilient plants thriving in challenging clay-rich soils. Remarkably, this parcel of land was formerly an open-cast coal mine.

The soil retains moisture effectively, with a high water table ensuring that the garden does not require additional irrigation. To protect the flora from strong winds, the land is subdivided into cozy, intimate spaces, including a well garden, gravel garden, willow dome, goose meadow, tunnel borders, wildlife pond, herb garden, topiary garden, and numerous other areas.

Birkheads also offers for sale many of the plants cultivated within its gardens, alongside a café featuring outdoor seating for visitors to enjoy.

14. Golf

Wearside is esteemed for its golf offerings, boasting some of the finest parkland courses in the North East. The Chester-le-Street course, situated along the Wear near Lumley Castle, is widely regarded as the most prestigious option in the vicinity.

Before assuming the throne in 1936, King George VI was a regular player at this esteemed course. Ravensworth Golf Club, established in 1906, features an 18-hole course characterized by narrow fairways and fast greens. The pricing is reasonable, with a full round costing £14 on weekdays and £16 on weekends.

Wearside Golf Club, located on the river’s southern bank, provides a welcoming clubhouse and operates a relaxed “ball in chute” policy during peak times, allowing players to place their ball in a tube and join the queue until it is their turn to play.

15. The Galleries Shopping Centre

Washington features a substantial covered shopping center that opened in the 1970s, housing over 100 retailers both within its premises and in the adjacent retail park. Notable UK high street retailers include Halfords, JD Sports, Sports Direct, Marks & Spencer, Argos, and H&M, complemented by supermarkets such as Iceland, Asda, and Sainsbury’s, along with several fast-food establishments including McDonald’s, KFC, Subway, and Greggs.

Visitors can enjoy entertainment at the 26-lane AMF Bowling, complete with pool tables, arcade games, and large-screen televisions, ensuring a fun and engaging experience.