Beautiful village just five miles from major city is packed with rural charm
One of the things that's brilliant about Britain - despite the weather - is the many unique villages that are well-known for their picturesque scenery and rural charm. A small but gorgeous village called Hetton-Le-Hole, also known as Hett, is described as 'scenic', and is just five miles away from the city of Durham. Interestingly, its name comes from the Old English word haet, which means 'hat'.
Located at the top of a small hill that resembles a hat, hence its name, is surrounded by nature - making it the perfect place for history and outdoor lovers, especially those who love hiking. Its tranquillity is also a bonus point for those who are seeking a break from the bustle and hustle of city life.
As reported by the Northern Echo, Hett has a concentrated population, and the village's history is tied to traditional English farming life due to its agricultural settlements. Many of its houses were initially built as farms.
Despite the village's rural character, there's a lot of history with medieval mining. Other reports by the same publication explained that in the 13th and 14th centuries, sea coal was mined at Hett under the jurisdiction of the Priors of Durham Cathedral. Hett is now only of the few places in County Durham with evidence about these events.
Fast forward to the present day, Hett is a beautiful place that's worth visiting. It offers a touch of rural and peaceful village life, and despite its few amenities, it's still a great place to spend time. It's close to the City of Durham, which gives a completely different vibe.
Things to see and do in Hett
Village Green (with a Duck Pond)
Just at the centre of Hett, there's a massive open space that has a duck pond. It's a go-to place for locals and visitors, and one of the most lively places in the village. It's also a good area for those wishing to take a walk overlooking the traditional houses, and even to have a picnic.
Historic Church (St Michael's)
St Michael's was the former church, once a chapel of ease dedicated to St Michael. After many years of service, it closed in the 20th century and turned into a private residence. Nonetheless, it remains part of its history.
Hett Moor and countryside walks
One of the best things to do in Hett is to walk. There are a lot of extensive paths from the village to the countryside, offering stunning and relaxing views through fields and hills. During the spring and summer months, the local flora and fauna are in full bloom, making the area so picturesque.
Visit Croxdale and Sunderland Bridge
Despite its proximity to Durham city, the nearby villages of Croxdale and Sunderland Bridge are also worth visiting. Not only is there more history to be learnt, but some of the key features include the stone bridges crossing the River Wear.
If you're looking for a peaceful retreat with barely tourists and without having to hop on a plane, Hett is the destination for you. The easiest, fastest and most convenient way to reach Hett is by train, with prices varying depending on the route and the time of year.
From London to Durham, visitors can take the LNER train, taking less than three hours. Alternatively, there are direct buses from London Victoria Station to Durham University, the Palatine Centre. Then, you can take the Line 65 bus to Hetton-Le-Hole, which takes 21 minutes and costs £2 for the ride, or a 10-minute taxi ride.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Popular English seaside city is home to the most pubs in the UK per person – here's some of the best ones
Plus, the full list of the cities around the UK with the most pubs DRINK UP Popular English seaside city is home to the most pubs in the UK per person – here's some of the best ones Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THERE are certain criteria people seek out when looking for a day trip - and one of those things is a plethora of pubs. And new data has revealed Brighton and Hove has the most pubs per person. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 11 Brighton and Hove has the most pubs per person Credit: Alamy 11 Here are some of the best pubs in the city - like The Station Inn Credit: Greene King Brighton and Hove is known for its bustling seaside promenade, cobbled beach fronts, nightlife and, of course, having many pubs. The data revealed that the coastal city has an impressive 147 pubs per 100,000 people. In total, that's 205 pubs serving its 139,001 residents. With so many to choose from, we've found some of the best. The Station Inn On Tripadvisor, The Station Inn is one of the top-rated boozers. The Station Inn describes itself as being a "traditional British pub" where you can enjoy a drink, play a game of pool or watch a game of football on the big screen. One visitor wrote: "The Station is everything you want in a local pub — warm, welcoming, and full of character. The staff are friendly, the beer selection is excellent, and the food hits the spot every time." Another added: "Lovely atmosphere, fantastic staff, we love coming to the Station- we feel like part of the family." On the menu you'll find juicy burgers, steak and ale pie, fish and chips and a selection of roast dinners on a Sunday. The Tempest Inn The Tempest Inn in Brighton is within a stone's throw of Brighton Beach. Beach Club that's like being on the Med 11 In The Tempest Inn, you can have a drink inside a cave Credit: Tempest 11 Or you can enjoy a drink in the seaside beer garden Credit: Tempest This pub has one very unique thing about it, and that's while inside, guests can enjoy a lantern-lite drink in a cave. For any people in a group who want to make sure they're seated in one of the cave booths, you can book these in advance. There's an outside area too and the pub is right on the seafront, with a sea-facing terrace, wooden tables and strings of fairy lights. Throughout the years are events like DJ sets, which run on most Saturdays. 11 The Roundhill pub has a modern interior and a vegan menu Credit: Instagram / @theroundhillpub 11 The pub has been praised for its delicious vegan roasts The Roundhill The Roundhill is Brighton's very first vegan gastropub. It has a plant-based menu with weekly specials and they do Sunday roast dinners too. The pub scooped up the "Best Roast" in 2020 and has been nominated in multiple categories for the 2025 BRAVOs, including "Most Sustainable," "Plant Champions," and "Best Sunday Roast". One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: The Roundhill consistently serve an incredible Sunday roast. I can honestly say it's the best roast I've personally ever had, and my non-vegan partner would agree." 11 Hove Place is a tucked away pub in Hove Credit: Hove Place 11 It has an Italian-inspired secret beer garden Credit: Hove Place Hove Place Hove Place has one big difference to other pubs around - that's the secret and beautiful Italian-inspired garden. With a glass of wine in hand and sitting out in the sunshine, you'll feel like you're in the Mediterranean. The pub that's known for its alfresco dining serves modern pub classics, as well as fresh focaccia rolls for lunch and deli boards which are very popular. As for drinks, you can pick up cask ales, beers, ciders and wines as well as some draught lagers like Birra Moretti and Estrella. When it first opened, the pub was shortlisted in the same awards as Best Newcomer in the Great British Pub Awards. 11 The Cricketers Inn is the oldest pub in Brighton Credit: The Cricketers 11 It has very bright plush velvet interior Credit: The Cricketers The Cricketers Inn The Cricketers Inn is the definition of a classic pub, it's full of charm, history and is the oldest pubs in Brighton. You'll find the bright white pub in the thick of Brighton's Lanes, this venue attracts a real mix of people and inside is what's described as a "warren of rooms." As for the interior, think thick red carpets, velvet stools, black walls and dim lighting. The pub has an internal courtyard too with larger tables, but when it's sunny, you'll want to make most of the good weather by taking a seat outside. The Cricketers Inn is possibly the oldest pub in Brighton having been around since 1547. While it might not be a pub, I recently visited the trendy beach bar of Rockwater in Hove with some of the best views around. Check out some of the best pubs, fish and chip shops and cafes in Sussex, named by holidaymakers and locals. The Top 10 UK Cities With The Most Pubs Per Person Brighton & Hove Wakefield Salisbury Chester Bath York Lancaster Canterbury Worcester Hereford
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The pretty twin beach villages in the ‘forgotten corner' of Cornwall
Plus, the other village in Cornwall that has been compared to Santorini COR BLIMEY The pretty twin beach villages in the 'forgotten corner' of Cornwall Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BEAUTIFUL beaches and charming coastal cottages are what you'll find in Kingsand and Cawsand . The villages in Cornwall are found in a 'forgotten corner' of the coast and while they are now twinned, were once in separate counties. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Kingsand and Cawsand are twin villages in Cornwall Credit: Alamy 4 They're found in the forgotten corner of the country on the Rame Peninsula Credit: Alamy Kingsand and Cawsand sit side by side on the south east of the county. They are often described as being in the 'forgotten corner' due to their secluded location on the Rame Peninsula. The adjoining villages aren't visited by tourists as much as the likes of St Ives, Port Isaac, Mevagissey, and Mousehole. But both villages have beautiful shingle beaches and cosy looking cottages. The banks of Cawsand have plenty of rockpools to explore, and when the sea is calm, boats can be hired for another adventure. One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: "To get to the beach you walk through beautiful little coloured cottages and a gorgeous town square. "The beach was clean and well kept, very safe for the children as it was within a bay so there were no rips." During the summer season, a vintage ice cream called Cawsand Bay Vintage Scoops on the promenade next to Cawsand beach to serve iced treats. The village of Kingsand has another of the area's favourite beaches. The bay is well sheltered so it's perfect for swimming, and it's dog-friendly all year round. Pub With A 'Floating' Beer Garden By The Beach 4 The beaches on both villages have classic shingle shores Credit: Alamy The beach is surrounded by pubs, making it a great spot for holidaymakers, popular spots include the The Devenport Inn and The Halfway House Inn. The two village were historically separated by a stream, with Kingsand in Devon and Cawsand in Cornwall. This division continued until 1844, when the boundary was adjusted, and Kingsand officially became part of Cornwall as well. Both have a rich history of smuggling and fishing, you can even see remains of old pilchard cellars from the late 16th century on the shoreline beyond Kingsand. Further along the coastline is another tiny Cornish village that's been called the UK's answer to Greece. Polperro has white-washed cottages and in the summertime, a bright turquoise sea which has led to it being compared to Santorini. Quaint cottages sit in the hillsides and fishing boats bob in the harbour which further paints the image of Greece. In the village there are steep streets to amble down filled with charming houses, shops and galleries. And another Cornish village compared to Greece with seafront Roman attraction and one of the UK's warmest beaches. Plus an English village that's the 'quiet side of Cornwall' has A-list holidaymakers and no cars.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I watched Lionesses in Euros semi-final and one thing really shocked me'
Despite playing girl's football for years, watching England vs Italy in the Euros semi final was my first ever women's game, and it was not what I expected I played football way before it was even a professional sport for women in the UK, and yet shamefully had never been to watch a single game of women's football. So, when Geneva Tourism presented the opportunity to go to Geneva and watch the Lionesses play in the Euro's semi-final, it was a no-brainer. It's rare you get to watch a football game set against the backdrop of the French mountains, whilst standing in Switzerland, but that was the beauty of seeing the lionesses play at Stade de Genève. A beautiful stadium for the beautiful game. Seemingly now football fans, including myself, are realising the Lionesses have so much to offer to lovers of the sport and the team are certainly giving them plenty to celebrate. I went into the stadium with an open mind, a buzz in the air, and an excitement to get to know how it feels to support a team that has a high chance of walking away with a win. I must admit, I didn't expect there to be as much atmosphere from the spectators in the crowd as there was but as stands packed out with fans of all genders, flags hung high, drums banging, and trumpets blaring there was a different kind of ambience. This crowd was far less rowdy, less cruel to the opposition—seemingly less drunk too—but by no means did they lack that very same passion that drives any English football club. When it came to the game itself, the standout thing I couldn't help but notice, and albeit could just be down to the intensity of this semi-final, is these players love to get handsy. The women on the pitch couldn't help but foul left, right, and centre, and that goes for both sides. I've never seen so many near yellow cards, hands being grabbed and players being shoved, sneaky pulls on shirts, and cheeky tripping over than I have in any other game of football. It proved these Lionesses have just as much, if not more grit, aggression, and daring streak than the male players I've been watching my entire life. Although it did have me cringing anytime a corner was taken - hoping and praying that we wouldn't foul inside the box. For years, as a fan of football, I did feel a sense of awkwardness within me, in both the pubs and at the games, feeling I couldn't fully involve myself in the chaos. It almost felt as though this was a game that belonged to the men and I was just merrily passing through. I didn't feel welcome to join in with the celebrations and the cheering because often, I didn't feel safe to. But standing there in Geneva watching the Lionesses, it really did feel like it was everyone's game and one that I could be a part of. I hugged the woman I just met when we watched a fresh-on-the-pitch 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang score that first goal. We collectively drank wine (yes, outside in the stands, can you believe it) and talked game play with fellow fans and it felt like a place where my version of football belonged. While I won't be there to see the Lionesses take on Spain in the Euros final, I will be standing firmly in a pub, wine in hand, cheering along. There's no doubt I will also be guilty of screaming 'REF' at the TV even when it's clear we did in fact foul, because let's face it, there was a lot of that happening.
