Haughton-le-Skerne
St Andrew's Church at the west end of the village green is the oldest church in Darlington, circa 1125. Some of the stones may have originated in a previous church on the same site.
Parts of the existing rectory have monastic ruins built into the foundation and some inner walls, speculated to be evidence of an earlier building on this site.
On the north side of Haughton-le-Skerne, a turnpike led over the river to the ports on the Tees estuary, carrying traffic including salt from the Bishop's salt mines.
Haughton-le-Skerne is now connected to a large suburb of Darlington, with areas including Springfield and Whinfield.
The community was referred to in the ITV series Downton Abbey as it was the location where Mrs. Beryl Patmore (Lesley Nicol) would find a cottage which would serve as a boarding house, and when she retired, would serve as her home for her retirement days.
John Wrightson (1840-1916), founder of Downton Agricultural College and great grandfather of Downton writer Julian Fellowes was born in the village.
Governance
In 1921 the civil parish had a population of 664. On 1 October 1930 the parish was abolished and merged with Darlington and Barmpton. It is now in the unparished area of Darlington.
References
- ^ Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 93 Middlesbrough (Darlington & Hartlepool) (Map). Ordnance Survey. 2010. ISBN 9780319228777.
- ^ "Street view of Monastic ruins". Retrieved 19 March 2016.
- ^ "Population statistics Haughton le Skerne Tn/CP/AP through time". A Vision of Britain through Time. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
- ^ "Relationships and changes Haughton le Skerne Tn/CP/AP through time". A Vision of Britain through Time. Retrieved 31 March 2024.