The Holystone Old Wagonway offers an unusual introduction to the area’s history: it is already marked as “Old” on the map in the first edition of the Ordnance Survey; the historic track was probably no longer in use before 1858. Holystone links this trace of the area’s transport history with other historical points of interest and outdoor activities. For your planning, these offer different focuses: an old route and its history on the map on the one hand, and paths, landscapes and individual memorial sites on the other.
Historical Traces in Holystone
Holystone War Memorial on Benton Road is Grade II listed and dates from around 1919. Its location, listing grade and approximate date give the war memorial a clear historical context and a specific connection to the area.
Another glimpse into the area’s past can be found at Holystone Farm and the buildings around Holystone House. They appear on both Greenwood’s Plan of Northumberland from 1828 and the map in the first Ordnance Survey edition from 1858. The two maps are three decades apart, providing two dated reference points that help place the area’s historical depiction in context.
A shelter hut still stands at Holystone Searchlight Battery. In the wider Tyneside context, many searchlights were manned during the Second World War by the 225th Anti Aircraft Artillery (Searchlight Batallion) USA. This gives you two distinct elements for understanding the history: a surviving structure at the battery and the wider story of searchlight operations in Tyneside.
Landscape and Paths
Holystone has access to Rising Sun Country Park and the open countryside north of the village. Nearby, the park offers an extensive network of walking and riding paths for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Some paths are accessible to people with disabilities. Entry to the park is free; check the latest park information before your visit if you’re planning to make it a fixed part of your itinerary.
Another specific link is the completed shared cycle and footpath between West Allotment and Holystone Interchange. The improvement was completed in 2017. For planning purposes, this route differs from the historic wagonway: this is a cycle and footpath with named endpoints, while the wagonway is the story of a former track.
Stonelea can also be considered as a separate point for your plans: the playground is at Holystone Grange in Holystone, NE27 0UX. If a playground is important to your travel plans, this gives you a named location alongside the area’s landscapes and historical points of interest.
Choose Accommodation Based on What Matters to You
If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, first consider whether the area’s history or time outdoors will be the deciding factor for your trip. This will help you tailor your search to the activities you actually plan to enjoy in Holystone.
Discover more destinations: Washington, North Shields, East Boldon, Hebburn, Whickham, Seaton Burn, New Herrington
Go to the regional travel overview: Tyne And Wear.
