The Lake

HER Number

7851

District

Sunderland

Site Name

The Lake

Place

Houghton-le-Spring

Map Sheet

NZ34NW

Class

Gardens Parks and Urban Spaces

Site Type: Broad

Water Feature

Site Type: Specific

Ornamental Lake

General Period

20TH CENTURY

Specific Period

20th Century 1901 to 2000

Form of Evidence

Documentary Evidence

Description

The Houghton Burn passes through the centre of Houghton. A Mr Coulson had an area of the burn excavated to create a lake. The lake is shown on the Ordnance Survey third edition map of 1919. It was a popular leisure resort for boating. The diversion of the burn affected the running of the flint mill (HER 3164) and so the owners protested for the stream to be restored to its former course. Eventually two brothers, Robinson, Darlington showmen, infilled the lake and made it into a showground where Houghton Feast (established to mark the anniversary of the dedication of St. Michael's Church) fairground was held. Also used as a football ground.

Easting

434310

Northing

549930

Grid Reference

NZ434310549930

Sources

Frank H. Rushford, c1950, Houghton le Spring: A History, pp 32-33; Paul Lanagan, 2012, The ebb and flow of history guided The Lake's fortunes, Seaham and Houghton Star Wednesday 25 July 2012