Witton Gilbert

Witton Gilbert /ˈdʒɪlbərt/ is a village and civil parish in County Durham, England. It is situated to the north-west of Durham.


The village once had a railway station on the Lanchester Valley Line,but this was closed in the early 1960s, with passenger service withdrawn in the late 1930s. However, the station building survives as a private residence, along with one of the platforms. Witton Gilbert is a medieval town originally Saxon. Witton was originally spelled Witun (Wit meaning white house and Tun meaning fortified place). Gilbert was added later and could be derived from the Norman lord Gilbert de la Ley or a later lord Gilbert de la Latone. In medieval times Witton Gilbert was very central being important to churchmen of Durham and contains a retreat where the great Churchmen resided. Other occupants who visited included royalty such as, King Edward III and queen Phillipa also Edward I.

Read more about Witton Gilbert:  Notable People

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