Clara Vale

Thumbnail map of Ryton area showing Clara Vale

Click above image to enlarge

Clara Vale must be one of the more interesting of Durham Pit villages.
Low lying and built close to the Tyne, it is virtually hidden from sight unless you travel by rail on the Tyne Valley Line.

Photograph showing entrance to Clara Vale Village

 

Purpose-built by the Stella Coal Company as a coal-mining community at the turn of the century, it very nearly died in the 1960s when the mine finally closed and such villages were deemed obsolete.

Photograph of Clara Vale Colliery, early 1900's Photograph of Clara Vale Colliery screens and sidings

With the exception of a modern terrace built to harmonise with the village style, there is virtually no building which is not pit or pit housing other than the chapel, school and co-op built to support the community.

Photograph of Clara Vale Community Centre (formerly the village school)

Photograph of Clara Vale Village School, early 1900's

Clara Vale has no shops, no pub and is a couple of miles from the nearest village, but it's secluded and picturesque setting has also been it's saving grace. It's houses are much sought after: Clara Vale has survived and now thrives.

Photograph of River Tyne at Clara Vale Photograph of Nature Reserve at Clara Vale (formerly site of pit)

 

Thumbnail Ordnance Survey map of Clara Vale, early 1900's

Click above image to enlarge

Planned links for the future:

Housing

Leisure

Churches

Coalmining

Glenny's Mill

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