Houghton le Spring
Houghton le Spring is just about halfway between the historic cathedral and university city of Durham, and the port city of Sunderland. That puts it in a good spot for commuting for academia and industry and makes a new home here popular with families and professionals alike. The town has great local facilities, and if you are headed out of town, there are great routes connecting you with the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, the coast at South Shields and Seaham, and the countryside of the Durham Dales and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
New Homes in Houghton le Spring
Living in Houghton le Spring
On the go
Houghton is on the A690 which is the link between Durham, the A1(M) and Sunderland. There’s not much in the distances between these two key cities. Durham is approximately 8 miles to the southwest and Sunderland is just 7 miles to the northeast. Newcastle upon Tyne is 15 miles north, with the quickest route by car taking you via Gateshead. The nearest train station is at Chester le Street, just under 5 miles away. From there you can pick up services on the East Coast mainline which runs between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh Waverley. Newcastle’s International Airport is 21 miles to the north, taking around half an hour by car.
Getting the shopping
There are a range of local shops and convenience stores, a Lidl for all your basics and a Tesco Express literally just down the road at Hetton-le-Hole. For a great choice of independent shops and national brands, you can head into Durham or Sunderland and make a day of it. For great bargains all under the same roof, the Dalton Park Outlet is the biggest outlet shopping centre in the Northeast. It’s a short drive away on the outskirts of Seaham.
Going to school
Houghton le Spring’s local school catchment area includes the neighbouring villages and opens up the options for your primary school-aged children. The Houghton Kepier Academy and Hetton School, are the local co-educational secondary schools.
Going out
Newcastle is going to take some beating for shopping and nightlife, though Durham holds its own on both counts on a different scale. For a family day out at the beach, Long Beach at South Shields has miles of golden sand and Seaham is a very popular family seaside resort too. If you prefer to head for the hills, the pretty villages of the Durham Dales will lead you up to the remote open space, characteristic stone walls, and stunning views of the North Pennines.