Washington New Town

As Sunderland's need for more space was acknowledged it's borough was extended and so Washington was designated a new town in July 1964, when the final extension occurred Washington Urban Districts joined Sunderland to form a new borough within Tyne & Wear in 1974.

The designation of Washington New Town led to considerable improvement in the physical landscape and offered a suitable strategic site for major growth. Washington is built around old villages, colliery rows and individual farms, which housed about 20,000 people in 1964. The new town has 18 residential areas or 'villages' planned to accommodate about 4,550 people per village and contain schools, churches, pubs, social centres and a range of shops. Out of a population of about 55,000 people in 1987 nearly 30% is below 15 years old and less than 7% over 65 years old, 5% of the family groupings in the new town are single parent families.

Washington 'F' Pit's magnificent Victorian steam engine, engine house and headgear are preserved as a monument to Washington's coalmining heritage that reaches back over 250 years. 'F' Pit, opened in 1777, was one of the country's oldest working pits. It closed in 1968, six years before coalmining in Washington ceased completely.

The industrial monument is the last of its type in the North East. Visitors can discover what life was like for miners in the region and listen to tales of workers travelling down into the pits. The impressive winding engine that once took pitmen to the coal face and brought coal to the surface can be seen working, now turned by an electric motor.

To replace declining industries new firms were being attracted, light engineering services and employment for women. The first one being the Galleries, marked by the only high rise building in the town, here shops, offices and services are centralized, which meet the new towns needs.

The Galleries Shopping centre situated in Washington has a great range of over 200 shops. The Galleries also has a number of leisure attractions near by. A swimming pool and fitness club at Washington Leisure centre, all within easy walking distance from the Galleries Shopping Centre.

An economic recession in the 1980's did however cause a rapidly high rate of unemployment in Washington, as factories and small businesses closed or relocated. It was the arrival of Nissan in 1985 which provided a much needed boost and recent signs suggest the new town is continuing to generate jobs. Washington Wildfowl Park is an important sanctuary. it is home to over 900 ducks, geese, swans and flamingos and 197 species of wild birds, in a natural setting of 100 acres of ponds, lakes and woods on land sloping to the River Wear. As the new town matures, Washington has assumed an important role in the life of the area.

Washington Old Hall