It was built in 1747 by Thomas Breaks and is a Grade I listed building.

[1] It has had multiple uses including a courtroom, fire station, a gaol, a dairy market, a toll booth and a town hall.

[2][3] The weather vane bears two holes, seemingly the result of musket shots being fired.

A local legend tells of a match in 1804 between a soldier and gamekeeper to decide who was the better marksman.

The soldier, named as Taylor of the Teesdale Volunteer Legion, and Cruddas, a gamekeeper from the Earl of Strathmore's estate at Streatlam, reputedly took aim at the weather vane from the doorway of the Turk's Head pub.