UP THE UPPER WEAR VALLEY

Time to leave the city of Durham and head for the suburb of Framwellgate Moor, where we find the Marquis of Granby. A Sam Smith's pub, it's now "Long term closed. Boarded up". 

The nearby Tap & Spile has now been renamed as the Queen's Head.

Oh no! The Lambton Hounds, just to the north at Pity Me, was a great little pub. Now it's an Italian restaurant. (Photograher unknown, photo from my collection).

Not far away is Sacriston, where Smith's Coaches had their depot.

Turning left (South West), we come to the old NER railway station at Witton Gilbert.

Witton Gilbert is the location of the Glendenning Arms, an ex Vaux house.

Also here, the Travellers Rest.

Across the valley is Langley Park, where Fulton's had their depot. 

Fulton's ran several bus services, but Langley Park itself was served by Gypsy Queen.

Directly south now to Willington, once served by the NER.

The bus service in Willington was operated by Bond Bros., based in the village.

Here's a Bedford coach at the depot.

The small town of Crook is our next stop, where the fire brigade have turned out.

Here's Hope Street in Crook.

Deep in the Wear Valley is Wolsingham, where the local urchins went to school. It was common to find the buses of Weardale/Stanhope Motor Services parked up here.

There's a Cameron's pub in Wolsingham, the Bay Horse.

Weardale Motor Services, still going today, had a depot at nearby Frosterley.

Further up the valley is another of the company's garages, at Stanhope.

In the centre of Stanhope, a Weardale MS CVE Omni is operatng a rural service.

Before leaving Stanhope, there's time for a quick look at the church.

Now for an "about turn" (see the map here) and we head for Cockfield and the impressive Lands Viaduct, newly built to replace the wooden structure behind.

We head towards Bishop Auckland and find the railway agaiin at Evenwood station.

Next stop, West Auckland station (Photographer unknown - my collection).

West Auckland was home to a bus company, later taken over by United.

However, the main operator in West Auckland was OK Motor Services.

West Auuckland is a pleasant place, surrounding its green (Creative Commons License).

We'll conclude today's tour in the Eden Arms. Sadly, no real ale these days. 

Next time, we'll be in Bishop Auckland.

DURHAM

Now that Christmas and New Year are out of the way, it's time for me to continue my UK tour. In this post we're just looking at the city of Durham.....and there's a lot to see.

Here's an early morning view of the cathedral.

The way to eternity?

There's a great view of the castle and cathedral from the railway station.

There's no shortage of other churches in the city.

There's even one in the Market Square.

Here's the Market Place circa 1910.

Constructing the railway meant building a huge vaduct. The year is 1855.

Today's rail services are provided mainly by Trans-Pennine and LNER.

On the down platform is the Waiting Room. It's well worth missing a few traiins!

United used to run minibuses up to the station.

At the bottom of the slope from the station is the Station House, now a great micropub.

United used to run many of Durham's bus routes.

Today, they're in the hands of Arriva.

Northern General also used to serve the city.

The Go Ahead Group still provide some services.

Several independents have operated into Durham over the years. These include (top to bottom): Fultons of Scariston, Diamond, OK Travel, Scarlet Band, Trimdon Motor Services and Gypsy Queen.

Close to the bus station and other termini is the Wetherspoons, the Water House.

Under the shadow of the railway, the Bridge Hotel.

The Court Inn seems to be "long term closed".

The Dun Cow is a brilliant pub and it's handy for the prison.

A good place for draught Bass is the Half Moon.

The Head of Steam is a recentish addition to the real ale scene.

An old favourite the Market Tavern.

Not far away, the Shakespeare.

The Swan & Three Cygnets attracts tourists. It's a Sam Smth's pub.

One of the city's oldest, the Old Elm Tree.

Finally, as we leave the city, we find more Sam Smiths at the Colpitts.

Right, that's Durham done. We venture further afield in the next post.