Burnhope War Memorial and St John’s Church in the parish of Holmside represent different forms of remembrance. There are also the four sections of the Burnhope Heritage Trails, the history of the miners of Fortune Pit and a gathering from 1926. For a trip focused on cultural history, it is worth keeping these subjects distinct: they range from the building history of Langley Hall in the early 16th century to the memorials of the 20th century, each with its own purpose and historical context.
Memorials and Church History
Burnhope War Memorial was erected in 1920 to commemorate the First World War. After the Second World War, a Garden of Remembrance was added. Every year on Remembrance Sunday, a memorial service is held there at 11:00 am in early November. If you would like to time your visit to coincide with this date, check the arrangements for the relevant year in advance.
St John’s Church in the parish of Holmside was built and consecrated by 1865. Its construction was funded through deductions from the wages of the miners of Fortune Pit, which is why it was known as the miners’ church. After the First World War, a memorial tower with a clock and chimes was added. It commemorates the 64 men from the parish of Holmside who lost their lives in the war. The church’s history therefore brings together two aspects: the miners’ contribution to its funding and a memorial added later.
The two memorials can be distinguished by what they commemorate: the War Memorial remembers the First World War, while the church tower commemorates the 64 men from Holmside. For a social history perspective, the church’s funding through wage deductions from the miners of Fortune Pit is particularly revealing.
Trails and Mining History
The Burnhope Heritage Trails are divided into four sections that bring Burnhope’s heritage to life. The arrangements for individual routes may change. A Mining Heritage Trail information board is located on the roadside wall to the right of the entrance to The Garage Bar and Grille; check the local signs when you arrive.
Burnhope Park was handed over to the village as a public park by the colliery’s owners. This historic handover links the colliery with a public amenity for the village.
In 1926, residents of Burnhope offered their local polo field as a meeting place for miners. This was the only time the Durham Miners’ Gala was held outside the city of Durham. Unlike a memorial, this episode tells the story of a specific gathering and the initiative of local residents.
Langley Hall
Langley Hall is a ruin dating from the early 16th century, built for Henry Lord Scrope. Its date makes it a different historical reference point from the memorials and the gathering from the 20th century.
Discover more destinations: Byers Green, Hutton Magna, High Etherley, Croxdale, Middleton-In-Teesdale, Romaldkirk, Staindrop, Pelton
For the main travel guide: Durham.
