Exploring the Former Colliery Town and Civil Parish of Stanley in County Durham, England
Lying southwest of the town of Gateshead and centered on a hilltop between Consett and Chester-le-Street in County Durham is the former colliery town of Stanley. This civil parish was formerly divided into three distinct settlements; West Stanley who is the main town and the mining villages of East and South Stanley. Today, this town stretches into its former neighboring villages and town such as Annfield Plain to the west and Beamish and Pelton to the east. This makes it a great base destination for exploring the northeastern part of the county.
Front Street is the main shopping area of the town. It is a pedestrianized retail and commercial area that houses independent shops and large national chains stores such as Boots. The town’s market is also held on Front Street every Thursday and Saturday. This town is also home to an Asda and Iceland Supermarkets. Along with the Clifford Road Retail Complex which currently accommodates the Clearance Bargains store, this town promises good retail therapy to shoppers.
This town also offers a vast range of places to eat where the people can get a taste of the local flavors the county. From its great selection of local pubs all the way to its parade of various restaurants and eateries, this town is a dining destination that satisfies all tastes and budget. The town’s impressive collection of pubs include South Causey Inn, The Blue Bell Inn, Stables Pub & Brewery, The Ox Inn and The Peacock Inn. The Olive Stone is the best and the most top-rated bakery in this town. As a destination that offers good food and fine drinks, food lovers will surely love visiting this town.
Things to See and Do in Stanley
Most of the local attractions and places of interest in this town is inclined to nature or the great outdoors. One of these local attractions is the Causey Arch, a fascinating structure that reflects its long history and offers breathtaking scenery. The Waskerly Way Bike Path is another popular place in town that a lot of outdoor enthusiasts frequently visit. And then the Chapman's Well Local Nature Reserve, it’s also one of the town’s most visited and popular attraction that houses a diverse wildlife.