Willington stands in the foothills of the Pennines and near the River Wear close to Crook, Bishop Auckland and Durham.

[8] The centre had a large sports hall, gyms and a bar/refreshment area and hosted events, notably those of Empire Electric Palace Theatre (Crook).

In 1950 Willington beat Bishop Auckland 4–0 at Wembley George Burdon McKean was born in the village in 1888, moving to Canada in 1902.

A year later, as a commissioned officer, he was involved in a trench raid for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

His Victoria Cross award was celebrated with the unveiling of a memorial stone in the main street of the village, near to the library.