Westgate, County Durham
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Westgate | |
|---|---|
 The preserved mine (wheel pit) north of Westgate on the Slitt vein | |
  Westgate Location within County Durham | |
| Population | 298 (2011 census) |
| Civil parish | |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Westgate is a village in the civil parish of Stanhope, in County Durham, England. It is situated in Weardale between St John's Chapel and Eastgate. In the 2001 census Westgate had a population of 298.[1] Westgate is also the entrance to Slitt wood and an old abandoned lead mine. Other features of the village include a caravan site and a football and basketball court.
Westgate Castle was a peel tower-cum-hunting lodge, probably built in the 14th century, and forming the western gatehouse (hence the name) of Stanhope Deer Park owned by the Bishop of Durham.[2] In 1442 the building was granted to Lord Lumley and used for forest courts and administration, but later served as a residence. By 1647 the 'castle' had become ruinous and was 'now demolished' although the 'crumbling walls of an old castle at Westgate' are mentioned in 1791.[3][4][5]
There is a Primitive Methodist chapel built 1871 and incorporating an earlier chapel built in 1824.[6]
The Anglican parish church of St Andrew was built in 1864 by Robert Jewell Withers (1824–1894).[7]
