Explore Evenwood through two historical layers: the medieval settlement around the village green and traces of the iron trade, coal and coke. When planning a stay, these offer different points of interest: you can focus on the settlement layout and historic buildings, or on industrial history and its transport routes.
Village Green and Historic Bridge
Evenwood is a medieval settlement whose buildings were grouped around a village green. Evenwood Village Green is registered by Durham County Council under reference VG33. Together, the settlement layout and the registered green provide a tangible starting point for exploring the history of the village.
Another point of interest is Evenwood Bridge. It dates from the late 18th or early 19th century and is made of sandstone rubble with ashlar dressings. The two materials offer a tangible insight into its construction: rubble forms the masonry, while ashlar is used for dressed elements. Those interested in historic buildings will find here both a date range and a specific construction detail.
From the Iron Trade to the Coke Industry
In the 14th century, Evenwood was connected with the iron trade; a bloomery was operated there at that time. This early phase can be distinguished from the later coal and coke industry: construction of coke ovens at Randolph Colliery began in 1895. The dates make it possible to see the time gap between the medieval iron trade and the start of coke-oven construction.
Randolph Colliery and Coke Works was served by the S & DR Haggerleases Branch Railway, later known as the NER Butterknowle Branch. The Randolph Incline was 1,260 yards long and crossed the River Gaunless; the crossing was in the northern section. When considering these details, it is worth keeping the different information distinct: the railway served the Colliery and Coke Works, while the length and river crossing relate to the incline.
Nearby, in Craggwood, is the former site of Evenwood Colliery. Nature has reclaimed the area; visible remains include a spoil heap, a collapsed drift mine and a shaft. The remains’ visibility may vary by season. If seeing these relics is important to your plans, take the time of year into account when considering how easy they will be to identify.
Local History and Visit Planning
The Evenwood, Ramshaw and District History Society organises exhibitions and presentations to share its findings. It is based at Randolph Community Centre in Evenwood. If you would like to visit the Society in person, check the current location details and visiting arrangements in advance. The Community Centre was formerly the National School, which opened in 1865. This brings together, in one named location, the history of a former school building and the present-day work of the local history society.
The Society also aims to collect documents, stories, photographs, pictures and objects. The collection covers different forms of local memory: written records sit alongside stories and visual material. This purpose also complements the historical traces that can be understood through buildings, industry and routes.
A Local Walking Route
Public Footpath No. 39 in Evenwood and Barony is part of an extensive local network of footpaths used mainly for recreation. This adds a specific walking option to the area’s local and industrial histories. Check the definitive route before setting out.
Evenwood’s history can be explored according to your interests: the village green and bridge offer starting points for learning about settlement and architectural history, while the bloomery, coke ovens, railway and incline reveal different aspects of industrial history. The footpath offers another perspective. During a stay, you can explore these themes individually and make local history the focus in whatever way suits your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Hutton Magna, Tow Law, Romaldkirk, Woodland, Durham, Hunwick, Stanley, Chester-Le-Street
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