subject: Living In The Scenic Mining Town Of Wingate [print this page] Situated within County Durham, Wingate is a small mining town that dates back to the 19th century. Seven miles from Hartlepool and three miles from Peterlee, Wingate is ideally situated within the county and close to regional and national links. Commuters will be able to readily access local trunk roads, such as the A181 to Durham and the A1. Linking Wingate to Sunderland, the A19 is also within the vicinity. Good public transport links are also available through the local bus service, which is able to provide connections to rail links up and down the country.
Historically, Wingate was a farming village that was transformed with the discovery of coal. Wingate was also the site of a famous air crash in 1971, where the plane suffered a massive engine malfunction and luckily the pilot managed to steer the plane clear of the village before ejecting, only for the plane to change direction and hit the village, leaving a large crater. Luckily, no-one was injured. Old railway lines that used to run through the village to the coal mine have now been turned into walkways which are open to the public and offer outstanding natural beauty and breathtaking views of the local area. Picture postcard scenery surrounded by local wildlife makes this area a fantastic place for walking, cycling and hiking.
Properties in Wingate range from 19th century farm house buildings to miner's homes and more recent developments. It holds breathtaking views of the local area and is surrounded by greenery. Being close to the eastern coast of the UK brings cold fronts from the North Sea, however, the local area is also famous for its seafood specialities. There are local amenities within the village, including a well respected junior school, pub and church. The church is a breathtaking stone building with large windows. Wingate also contains a library, which is close by to the community centre and contains internet facilities as well as community projects for all of the family.The community help to support each other through local initiatives as well as the church and school communities. There is a great sense of belonging within the village.
Wingate is surrounded by beautiful scenery and hills, for example Deaf Hill and Wheatley Hill are pictured around the local. It is also close to the town of Shotton. There are plenty of supermarkets located in Shotton and Peterlee and all local amenities, bars and cafes as you would expect. House prices within Wingate are reasonable. Being a larger town, Peterlee supports the community with a wider range of services, including Castle Eden Dene, which is a nature reserve, the Apollo Pavillion, which holds shows and conferences, Helford Road Circket Ground, nine primary schools and two secondary schools, as well as a sixth form college and an adult education centre. What is interesting to note is that it has been argued that the building of Peterlee was controversial to the local area, as it surpressed new developments in the surrounding villages such as Wingate.
