Itinerary 2: Heritage Part 2

Suggested Start Time 10:00am

Full Day Itinerary Hilights:

Suggested Start time 10:00am

Washington Old Hall (National Trust members Free):

10.00am: Explore the ancestral home of George Washington, the first president of the United States of America. Expect to spend 1 - 2 hours at The Old Hall. 

Why not try a cup of tea or coffee and a home baked cake in the café before you head off? 

Penshaw monument (Free)

1.00pm: Approximately 5 miles from the Old Hall. 11 minutes by car and 35 minutes by bus. Parking located at Chester Road.  Expect to spend 1 -2 hours exploring the monument and the surrounding woods.  Check National Trust website for seasonal tours to the top of the monument.  Why not stop for lunch at the Penshaw Tea rooms ? Click here   

Arts Centre Washington (Free)

3.30pm:  Approximately 3.5 miles from Penshaw Monument.  7 minutes by car and 18 minutes by bus. Free parking.  Expect to spend an hour exploring the Arts Centre.  Why not time your visit to coincide with a theatre performance followed by a meal at the Courtyard bar? For more information on theatre performances  click here  For more information on the Courtyard bar click here

Starting Point: Washington Old Hall

Washington Old Hall

Washington Old Hall is the ancestral home of George Washington, the first president of the United States of America.

Today Washington Old Hall is under the ownership of the National Trust. The Trust, with assistance from the Friends of Washington Old Hall, has furnished the property much as it would have been in the 17th century.

The Hall is a popular regional visitor attraction and hosts a regular programme of events. It is also the destination of many American visitors, who come to see the ancestral home of their first president.

In recognition of the connection with America, the Hall celebrates key festivals and events every year, such as Independence Day and Thanksgiving. It has links with various American organisations and many American visitors.

Inside, there are displays on George Washington and the recent history of the Hall. There is also a fine collection of oil paintings, delftware and heavily carved oak furniture of the period.

Outside, there is a recreated 17th century garden, which leads to the Nuttery, a wildflower nut orchard, established with the help of the Friends of Washington Old Hall.

So take time out to discover this charming 17th century manor house. Take a stroll through the ornamental gardens and try one of the delicious home-made scones in the tearoom.

For more information click here

Penshaw Monument

Get some fresh air and take in stunning views from this 70-foot high monument, at the top of Penshaw Hill.

The monument, built in 1844, is a half-size replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens and can be seen for miles around. It's one of Sunderland's best loved landmarks and even appears on the badge of Sunderland Football Club.

You can climb to the very top of Penshaw Monument. From Good Friday to the end of September, the National Trust open the spiral staircase hidden inside one of the monuments pillars, letting groups of visitors up to the roof top to enjoy the view. Bookings are taken via the National Trust website. The cost is £5 per person or free to National Trust members.

For more information click here

Arts Centre Washington

Arts Centre Washington is located in the new town of Washington which sits in a position of equal distance between Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham.  The area has its roots in mining, the last pit closing in the area in the 1980s.  Going even further back, the ancestors of George Washington who lived locally gave the area its name and one of the most famous north east legends, The Lambton Worm, supposedly took place a stone's throw from the arts centre.

The arts centre itself is a converted 19th century farm, a ruin rescued at the time of the development of the new town in 1972 when it was decided that a centre for arts and culture should be included in the vision for the area.  Originally called Biddick Farm Arts Centre, it has gone through several incarnations to become what is now a vibrant multi-arts centre that hosts a theatre, gallery, rehearsal rooms, artist's studios, recording studio, café and award winning bar.  It is now owned and managed by Sunderland City Council.

Arts Centre Washington has a very distinct character.  The Gallery, which forms the central creative hub of the building, is a light and airy raftered space whilst the 120 seat theatre is converted from the main barn and retains its original stone walls and unique atmosphere.  Another barn has been converted into a multifunctional space that is used for a variety of purposes whilst the cowsheds now serve as a block of artist's studios.  The café/bar in the courtyard allows customers to spill out into the sunshine on hot, summer days.

Arts Centre Washington exists to provide a mixed programme of artistic events and activities for all members of its community to experience and participate in the arts.  Events include theatre, music, dance and comedy with Saturday nights in the Low Barn playing host to the award winning Davy Lamp Folk Club.  There is also a packed programme of Classes and Courses - activities for all ages to take part in from salsa to sequence dancing; model making to messy play.

Arts Centre Washington's main funder is Sunderland City Council with funding for special programmes and projects provided by Arts Council England and the Northern Rock Foundation.

For more information click here

Google map Click here

Public Transport Click here

Nearest Public Toilets Click here