Local History
Tursdale (County Durham)
Tursdale is now a small hamlet in the parish of Cassop-cum-Quarrington. It lies just to the west of the A1 close to the village of Bowburn.
The village was first recorded in the medieval period, though its name is of Old Norse origin, meaning 'Thor's Valley'. Little survives of the medieval village now, although it is known that one of the farms, Tursdale House, was the manor house in the 12th century. A medieval moated site is also known at Standalone- this was traditionally believed to have been a home of the Baliol family.
In the post-medieval period, although farming continued to be important in the area (as is shown by the presence of a gin-gang, the coal industry became important. Tursdale Colliery was opened in 1854 and produced coal until 1968. It employed over 800 men at its height. The coal was mainly for industrial use and was turned into coke at the site.
The village was first recorded in the medieval period, though its name is of Old Norse origin, meaning 'Thor's Valley'. Little survives of the medieval village now, although it is known that one of the farms, Tursdale House, was the manor house in the 12th century. A medieval moated site is also known at Standalone- this was traditionally believed to have been a home of the Baliol family.
In the post-medieval period, although farming continued to be important in the area (as is shown by the presence of a gin-gang, the coal industry became important. Tursdale Colliery was opened in 1854 and produced coal until 1968. It employed over 800 men at its height. The coal was mainly for industrial use and was turned into coke at the site.
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Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.