Newton Hall, Durham

[1] The first mention of Newton occurs about 1183, in the Boldon Book, a record of the estates of the Bishop of Durham, Hugh le Puiset.

The Liddell family held Ravensworth Castle, near Gateshead, as well as Newton and it was this northern part of the county that they developed their coal mining interests and acquired their wealth.

Sir Henry Liddell (c1644–1723) was one of the prime movers in attempts to regulate the North East coal trade in the early 18th century, and he served as MP for Durham in 1689 and 1695-8, and Newcastle from 1701 – 10.

Recently, a collection of Sir Henry's letters and drawings has come to light revealing a great deal about these buildings and gardens at Newton.

These were originally made in London and some were sent up to Newton, but after difficulties fixing them Sir Henry agreed to have local craftsmen do the work.

A great walled garden was laid out to the south overlooking the City with formal ornate patterns with fashionable plants such as the pyramidal yew.

The Liddels stayed at Newton throughout the 18th century, extending the Hall in 1751 by adding an attic floor, probably within the earlier roof.

The oldest remaining building on the site is Newton Hall farm cottage which stands hidden in trees off Carr House Drive, just down from the old fish pond which is drained but still visible.

Newton Hall is well served by buses and is 2 miles (3.2 km) from Durham railway station on the East Coast Main Line.

The song parodied those singer/songwriter Michael "Olga" Algar knew who moved to Newton Hall to escape the claustrophobic feeling living in one of Durham's old council estates only to find they'd swapped it for somewhere equally as suffocating once the novelty wore off.