Newton Hall

Newton Hall is a large housing estate in County Durham, in England. It is situated to the north of Durham, near Framwellgate Moor and Pity Me, and has the East Coast Main Line running the length of its east boundary. Newton Hall was once the largest private housing estate in Europe.

History

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. Newton is described as held by the Abbot of Peterborough, and amongst others holding an interest in the land is Richard the Engineer. He was the Bishop’s famous mason/architect who was responsible for building Norham Castle in Northumberland and most probably worked on Le Puiset’s additions to Durham Castle and Cathedral.

By 1337 the Bowes family held the manor of Newton and retained it until 1565, when it was sold to Anthony Middleton. On his death in 1581 it was sold to Thomas Blaikston, whose family kept the estate until shortly after 1662, when the Liddell family acquired it.

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. It was under his guidance that the old Newton Hall was...
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