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Once a small village, Washington
10 miles to the west of Sunderland, now forms part of the
city.
In 1964 Washington was designated
a 'New Town' and expanded rapidly when it absorbed the overspill
populations from surrounding cities. The new town was
divided into a number of small self-sufficent 'villages',
with original settlement being renamed 'Washington Village'.
Washington's economy has long
been based on industry. Coal mining was very important
and there were several collieries in the district. A
series of waggonways and later railways were used to transport
coal to the River Wear. Here barges transported the
coal to the port of Sunderland.
Coal was mined here for over
250 years but the industry finally ceased in the late-20th
century. The chemical industr, has survived to the
present day. Other industries include car assembly,
electrical goods, electronics and textiles.
One of Washingon's most popular
attractions is Washingon Old Hall It was from Washington
that ancestors of George Washington (first President of the
United States) emigrated to Virginia in 1657.
At the Washington
'F' Pit Mining Museum visitors can admire the magnificent
Victorian steam engine, engine house and headgear. The
site celebrates town's long coalmining heritage.
Another highlight is the Wildfowl
and Wetland Nature Reserve Established in 1975,
the reserve has Grey Herons, ducks, swans, geese and Chilean
Flamingos.
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Washington
