Houghton-le-Spring (/ˈhoʊtən li ˈsprɪŋ/ HOH-tən-lee-SPRING) is a town in the Sunderland district, in Tyne and Wear, England which has its recorded origins in Norman times.

It lies between Durham, 7 miles (11 kilometres) southwest and Sunderland, 7 mi (11 km) northeast.

This latter explanation ties in with the Roman names in the area in which "le" is taken to be "in the" as in Chester-le-Street, Witton-le-Wear, Dalton-le-Dale, Hetton-le-Hole.

The parish church of St Michael and All Angels dates back to Norman times and contains the tomb of Bernard Gilpin, known as 'the Apostle of the North'.

Gilpin was Archdeacon of Durham and in 1557 became the rector at Houghton-le-Spring, which at that time was one of the largest parishes in England.

[10] The festival lasts ten days and typically features a fairground, carnival, fireworks, braying Hettoners and an ox-roasting event in commemoration of Rector Bernard Gilpin's feeding of the poor.