Set on the banks of the River Wear, Chester-le-Street is a historic market town in County Durham. It was the site of a Roman fort known as “Concangis”, with its ruins still visible today. “Chester" derives from the Old English word meaning “fortification” while “Street” refers to the paved Roman road that once ran through the town.
Things to do in Chester-le-Street
One of Chester-le-Street’s most iconic buildings is the Queens Head Hotel, which was built as a coaching inn in the mid-18th century. It’s a short stroll from the Art Deco-style Post Office, one of only a few that displays the royal cypher from the reign of Edward VIII. A soaring spire tops the Church of St Mary and St Cuthbert, which stands on a worship site dating back more than 1,000 years.
On the banks of the River Wear is the Riverside Ground, which hosts international cricket matches throughout the year. It lies opposite the mature parkland course of the Chester-le-Street Golf Club and the leafy walking trails of Riverside Park. Here you’ll find a children’s playground, a small pond and a laid-back cafe.
Dominating the north side of town is the Chester Burn Viaduct, which was completed in 1868 under the direction of Thomas Elliot Harrison. It carries the East Coast Main Line across a small river on its route from Newcastle to London. Now Grade II listed, the viaduct comprises several impressive arches along its 230-metre length.
Getting around Chester-le-Street
Chester-le-Street is around 20 minutes’ drive from both Sunderland and Newcastle upon Tyne. Newcastle International Airport is around 30 minutes away and has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Regular buses connect to Chester-le-Street and the town is small enough to explore on foot.