Souter Lighthouseat, at nearby Whitburn is boldly hooped in red and white & is an iconic clifftop beacon which offers
a great family-friendly visit. When it opened in 1871, it was a technological marvel, being the first lighthouse built
to use electricity & whilst it was decommissioned in 1988, the machinery remains in working order
and visitors can learn even more from the enthusiastic guides.
The Leas, just to the north, has two and a half miles of beach, cliff and grassland with soaring seabirds
& to the south, Whitburn Coastal Park provides coastal walks and lovey family trails.
Washington Old Hall at the heart of the nearby historic Washington village is a picturesque stone manor house
& its gardens provide a tranquil oasis, reflecting gentry life following the turbulence of the English Civil War.
This popular building incorporates parts of the original medieval home of George Washington's direct ancestors,
& it is from here that the family took their surname of 'Washington'.
George Stephenson's Birthplace at nearby Wylam is a quaint small stone cottage built circa 1760 to accommodate
mining families. The furnishings reflect the year the great rail & steam pioneer, George Stephenson was born
here (1781), when his whole family lived in just one room.
Gibside in nearby Burnopfield is a magnificent 450 acre landscape garden created by the Bowes family
in the 18th century. Gibside is a 'grand design' of spectacular vistas, winding paths and grassy open spaces
with lovely decorative garden buildings including the Palladian chapel, Georgian stables, greenhouse
and the ruins of a bathhouse and hall.

All of these wonderful properties are owned or administered by the
National Trust

Time well spent with National Trust membership. And from £36.38 a year, it's money well spent.

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As Britain's largest conservation oranisation, we help protect over 300 historic houses, 700 miles of spectacular
coastline and over 600,000 acres of beautiful countryside. Become a member today and your subscription
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