St. Michael's Conservation Area

Designated in 1975. Located within the medieval core of Houghton-le-Spring (HER 280). The town is now split into two by the busy A690 road in 1970. This road destroyed Sunderland Street and severed Church Street, with the loss of many 18th and 19th century buildings. The fundamental historic character of the CA is derived in large part from the ecclesiastical enclave comprising the church, its associated buildings and green spaces. Elements of St. Michael's Church (HER 263) are 12th century. The Conservation Area also includes the Tudor-style old rectory (HER 264), Kepier grammar school (HER 265), almshouses (HER 7012 and 7013), rectory arch (HER 7011), war memorial (HER 10976), Lilburn House (HER 7014). Church Street has charm and diversity with non-uniform terraced buildings of 18th and 19th century date. Decorative features are kept to a minimum with simple doorcases and stone dressings above windows. Wheeler House has decorative stone strings and elaborate attic gables. The Broadway has remained largely unchanged in 200 years. It was a wide tree lined street (now hard landscaped). It was formerly part of a local tram route (1905-1925). Rectory Park was landscaped in the 1940s when the Old Rectory became council offices and the grounds became a public park. The park has mature arboreal planting and a formal garden. The Gilpin Thorn (HER 7850) has historical associations to Rector Bernard Gilpin. The Old Brewery (HER 1600) is a fine large scale stone structure that dominates the approaches from the south.