Chester-le-Street

Chester-le-Street is a great north market town, home of the Riverside Cricket Ground and proud of its Christian heritage.

The picturesque cricket venue is home to Durham County Cricket Club and hosts more than 50 days of domestic cricket from April - September as well as international fixtures and big name concerts, with Elton John, Sir Tom Jones and Jessie J all performing at the venue in recent years.

Heritage

The town's fascinating past means there are lots of things for history lovers to see and do when visitng the town.

Set off on Cuddy's Corse, a 7.5 mile walking trail starting at St Mary's and St Cuthbert's church and heading on to Durham City via Finchale Priory, or explore the history of the town by following the heritage trail  where pavement markers direct you between eight information boards. The route includes several historical locations through the town, and you can glimpse the Roman Fort site behind the Parish Centre by Ankers House & St Mary and St Cuthbert's Church. The church itself has been a place of Christian worship since 883AD, when monks from Lindisfarne bearing the body of St Cuthbert built a shrine which became, for more than a century, the Cathedral of the Kingdom of Northumbria.

Did you know? It was here that the Gospels were first translated into Saxon English and one of only three facsimiles of the Lindisfarne Gospels can be seen at the Parish Church. The attached anchorage contains fascinating displays on Roman, Saxon and Medieval times

Family Fun

There are plenty of opportunities for some family fun in Chester-le-Street, from local nature reserves and country parks, to the town's Riverside Park. The park is a popular place to walk, exercise and simply enjoy the surroundings, with artist-designed ornamental gardens, an events arena and a popular play area and paddling pool. It is also home to a lively splash pad skate park and play area to keep the children entertained.