Chester-le-Street is a busy market town with some historic buildings in Front Street.
An extensive open air museum with period themed areas including a pit village and colliery, 1820s landscape,
1900s town, 1950s town, bus and tram depots, farms and a railway station. Buses and trams run in a loop around the large site.
Cafés and pubs. Events programme.
Open Mar-Oct, Daily 1000-1700. Nov-Feb, see website.
www.beamish.org.uk
Bus 8/28/29 from South Burns (½ mile from station) to entrance, about 15 minutes journey.
M-S 4 buses per hour, Sun & BH 2 buses per hour.
Operated by GoNorthEast.
Washington Old Hall is the medieval home of the ancestors of George Washington, the first US President.
The small manor house was renovated in the 17th century. The colourful gardens are a haven for wildlife.
Members of the Washington family are buried at the adjacent Holy Trinity Church.
Open mid Feb-Oct, MThFSSu 1100-1600.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/washingtonoldhall
Bus 8 from South Burns (½ mile from station) to Parkway (shortly
after A195 roundabout, watch for the Victoria Inn), about 17 minutes journey. Then ½ mile walk along The Avenue.
M-S ½-hourly, Sun & BH hourly. Operated by GoNorthEast.
Buses continue to Washington Galleries Bus Station and Waterview Park (for Washington Wetland Centre, see below).
Buses also operate from Sunderland.
A nature reserve on the north bank of the River Wear with lakes, a saline lagoon, woodland and meadows.
It is a great place to see wetland birds and other wildlife. Bird watching hides. Adventure play areas. Café and picnic areas.
Open Daily 1000-1730 (1630 Nov-Mar).
www.wwt.org.uk/washington
Bus 8 from South Burns (½ mile from station) to Waterview Park (shortly
after leaving the A1231), about 30 minutes journey. Then ½ mile walk along Barmston Lane to entrance.
M-S ½-hourly, Sun & BH hourly. Operated by GoNorthEast.
Buses also operate from Sunderland.
The Penshaw Monument is a landmark on top of a hill that can be seen from miles around.
It was built in 1844 in memory of the Earl of Durham. There are panoramic views the Monument and there are
woodland walks on the surrounding land. Admission free.
Open at all times.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/penshaw-monument
Bus 78 from Front Street (southbound, ½ mile from station) to near Penshaw Monument
(look out for the sign at the roundabout), about 20 minutes journey. Then ¼ mile walk partly uphill.
M-S ½-hourly, Sun & BH hourly. Operated by GoNorthEast.
Buses also operate from Sunderland.
The museum covers 100 years of transport history with a collection of military aircraft and vehicles,
trams, buses and classic cars. A highlight is a cold war Avro Vulcan B2 Bomber.
Open Daily 1000-1600.
www.nelsam.org.uk
Bus 50 from Front Street (northbound, ½ mile from station) to Nissan Factory, near Museum,
about 45 minutes journey. M-S ½-hourly, Sun & BH hourly.
Operated by GoNorthEast.
Buses also operate from Newcastle, South Shields
and Sunderland.
