Nothing of the medieval chapel in High Haswell is visible above ground today. Archaeological deposits beneath the ground preserve important evidence of its construction and use. This contrast leads to the heart of Haswell’s history: religious architecture, mining memorials and former railway lines offer different perspectives on the area.
Mining and Remembrance
Coal mining in Haswell began in 1831; the first coal was transported from Haswell Colliery in 1835. In 1844, firedamp ignited at the colliery, killing 95 men and boys. Haswell Colliery closed in 1896. These milestones tell of the beginning and transport of mining, a fatal disaster and the closure of the colliery.
The engine house of Haswell Colliery is the only surviving building of the former colliery and is a Scheduled Monument. Comparable engine houses from 19th-century collieries are now very rare in the North East Coalfield. The colliery’s surviving monument is locally known as Haswell Arch; it stands alone on the former colliery site and commemorates the 1844 disaster.
Medieval Traces and Architectural Forms
The medieval High Haswell Chapel was a stone building measuring approximately 10 m by 20 m, with no aisles. No visible remains survive above ground today; archaeological deposits beneath the ground preserve important evidence of its construction and use. A document dated to around 1300 required a lamp to burn continuously in the Chapel of Hessewell on Sundays and church holidays. Together, the structural traces and the document offer insight into different aspects of the chapel’s medieval history.
Elemore Grange Barn dates from the late 18th or early 19th century. There, three elliptical brick arches rest on two square stone piers. Another historic landmark is the Haswell War Memorial: the First World War memorial dates from 1920. Its original design concept has been preserved because it was not adapted to commemorate the Second World War.
Local History and Cycling Culture
The original village of Haswell was in High Haswell. Two farmhouses, barns, outbuildings and a private residence survive there. Cycling is also part of the area’s story: Haswell is the birthplace of world cycling champion Tom Simpson. Together with the cycle routes, this offers another perspective on Haswell beyond its mining history.
Routes Following Historic Lines
The Hart to Haswell Walkway runs from Hart railway station on the A1086, north of Hartlepool, through Hesleden and past Shotton Colliery, to Haswell. It follows the route of the former railway between Hartlepool and Sunderland, designed by George Stephenson to transport coal from the Durham coalfields to the docks at Hartlepool. The Walkway is part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network and a Local Nature Reserve. The Sustrans National Cycle Network offers a safe, traffic-free route all the way to South Shields. As route details can change, it is advisable to check current path conditions before planning your trip.
The former colliery railway line is now a popular cycle route from Haswell to Hart. Here too, it is a good idea to check current path conditions before setting out. This makes it easier to include the cycle route and its connection to the area’s mining history in your travel plans, while the Hart to Haswell Walkway’s named waypoints help orient you between Hart and Haswell.
Discover more destinations: Bishop Middleham, Spennymoor, Witton-Le-Wear, Shotley Bridge, Shildon, Bishop Auckland, Hamsterley, Burnhope
For the main travel overview: Durham.
