Elemore Park

Established on the site of the old Elemore Colliery and golf course, the park is now a haven for wildlife and home to a café and garden centre.

The Role of Coal

For most of history this area was sparsely populated countryside. But during the course of the 18^th century things started to change. In the 1820's a colliery was established here, part of the Great Northern Coalfield that covered large swathes of County Durham and Northumberland. By 1827 Elemore Colliery had become connected to the nearby Hetton Lyons Colliery by the historic Hetton Colliery Railway. This railway, designed by George Stephenson, was the first of its kind anywhere in the world and was built to take coal up to the River Wear in Sunderland. It represents a revolution in movement and would pave the way for the expansion of the railway network across the region, Britain and ultimately the world!

The Return of Nature

This former colliery site has now been reclaimed by nature. The park is now home to a range of habitats including grassland, scrub and woodland and also two small lakes. These in turn are home to a rich array of flora and fauna. Throughout the year it is possible to see species like weasel, bullfinch, kestrel and jay. Whilst in the summer months look out for grasshopper warbler, yellowhammer and various species of orchid.

The park has a "wilder" feel to it, that makes it somewhat different to the other parks in the city. Over the next 2 years work will be undertaken to further enhance the wildlife and biodiversity value of the park, making it an even better place to escape to and enjoy the tranquillity of the natural world.