Tow Law: Historic Buildings and Memorials

When planning a trip to Tow Law, it helps to consider its different themes: local history, industrial heritage and the landscape of County Durham. If you’re looking for a hotel, first think about which of these themes you want to shape your stay. Historic buildings, memorials and a named circular walking trail offer different ways to explore the area.

Landscape and industrial history

Hedleyhope Fell Nature Reserve is one of the largest remaining areas of upland heath in County Durham. The heath offers a distinct perspective on the county’s landscape alongside the themes of local history and industry. For travellers interested in this landscape, Hedleyhope Fell is a notable point of reference.

The coke ovens at Inkerman Farm are designated as a Scheduled Monument and illustrate the design of the beehive oven. The Weardale Iron and Coal Company opened Inkerman Colliery in 1853 and immediately began producing coke there in 20 ovens built at the time. The monument includes two almost completely intact beehive coke ovens, as well as ruins and hidden remains of part of the former Inkerman Coke Works. The figure of 20 refers to the ovens at the start of production; the two almost completely intact ovens are part of the monument’s description.

Historic buildings and remembrance

The Church of St Philip and St James is listed as a Grade II building on the National Heritage List for England. Attwood Place is also listed on this register and is a row of houses dating from the mid-19th century. The area’s architectural history thus ranges from a church building to a row of houses.

The Old Cattle Market Building is the only surviving part of a formerly larger cattle market in the centre of Tow Law. It lies immediately east of the High Street and next to the former railway station. This location places the building firmly in the town centre and links it to the history of the once larger market.

The Cattle Market Auction Building was built in 1882. Its completely intact interior includes a cattle ring, seating and the auctioneer’s desk. These three surviving features illustrate the building’s use as an auction hall, rather than reducing it to its exterior appearance.

The war memorial in Tow Law was erected around 1919 on Wolsingham Road. The names of the men from Tow Law who died in the First World War are engraved on all four sides of its base. The memorial thus links an approximate date of erection with remembrance of the town’s fallen men.

Walking route and getting there

The Tow Law and Thornley Beck circular walking trail starts on the High Street in Tow Law. If you’re planning a walk as part of your trip, the starting point provides a specific reference for planning.

Arriva North East’s bus route 1B runs regularly between Crook and Tow Law. As timetables can change, check the service for your specific travel date.

When looking for a hotel for your trip to Tow Law, you can use your interests as a starting point: a stay focused on the circular walking trail has a different emphasis from a trip centred mainly on the historic buildings, the war memorial or the industrial heritage. Then compare options based on your own requirements.

Discover more destinations: Witton-Le-Wear, Barnard Castle, Bishop Middleham, Pelton, Stanhope, Hunwick, Wycliffe, Sacriston.

For the broader travel overview: Durham.