The South Hetton Coal Company, owned by Colonel Thomas Bradyll, first sank shafts in 1831.

The village came to the attention of the nation in January 1967 when the body of fruit machine magnate employee Angus Sibbet was found murdered in his Jaguar car under Pesspool Bridge.

There have been ongoing campaigns to clear both names, but all appeals (including to the House of Lords) have failed due to a proven but unexplained collision between the cars of Sibbet and Stafford & Luvaglio, although Stafford and Luvaglio at their trial denied seeing or meeting up with Sibbet during the vital hours surrounding the murder.

The killing inspired the 1970s gangster film Get Carter starring Michael Caine.

Steph Houghton, footballer (Sunderland, Leeds United, Arsenal, Manchester City and England) South Hetton Cricket Club currently play in the Durham Senior League and have a strong link within the community with the goal of developing sport in the area.