A trackway runs from earthworks (HER 3660) northwards to the suspected mine shaft, then turns sharply eastwards. It takes the form of two deeply incised ditches running parallel with a central bank. Running eastwards, it becomes a wider lower bank with shallower, at times barely perceptible, ditches.
SITEASS
Byermoor is known to have been exploited for its coal reserves from at least the early eighteenth century when a wagonway (HER 5952 and 5953) was built across it and contemporary maps show coal mines there. Abandonment of mining seems to have occurred in the 1730s when the wagonway closed. A diverse range of archaeological remains associated with early eighteenth century mining are visible at Byermoor, mostly as earthworks, some as cropmarks. Such remains are now rare in the county of Tyne and Wear. In view of their rarity, diversity and good state of preservation the remains on Byermoor must be regarded as of high regional significance. The importance of the remains of early coal mining and transport on Byermoor is enhanced by the presence of underlying ridge and furrow cultivation features, thereby reflecting the move from farming to mining at a time when more investment was made in mining at the beginning of the eighteenth century.
Site Type: Broad
Road Transport Site
SITEDESC
A trackway runs from earthworks (HER 3660) northwards to the suspected mine shaft, then turns sharply eastwards. It takes the form of two deeply incised ditches running parallel with a central bank. Running eastwards, it becomes a wider lower bank with shallower, at times barely perceptible, ditches.
Site Name
Byermoor, embanked trackway
Site Type: Specific
Trackway
HER Number
7238
Form of Evidence
Earthwork
Sources
The Archaeological Practice Ltd, 2004, Byermoor Farm, Tyne and Wear - Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2005
English, British
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
02
District
Gateshead
Easting
1807
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ15NE
MONTH1
06
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
5762
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Byermoor
Description
Drystone walls act as field boundaries here. Some appear more substantial than normal and one section is faced, suggesting that it may once have formed part of a building. Elsewhere, the walls have been reduced to little more than stony banks. The wall acts as a substantial revetment, holding back a considerable depth of topsoil in the adjacent field. This topsoil may cover surviving masonry remains associated with a settlement or farm visible on a map of 1805. The settlement is not shown on any other map or plan.
SITEASS
The presence of buildings close to mining remains suggests that small-scale mining may have continued beyond the 1730s which is when the Western Way closed (HER 5952).
Site Type: Broad
Farm
SITEDESC
Drystone walls act as field boundaries here. Some appear more substantial than normal and one section is faced, suggesting that it may once have formed part of a building. Elsewhere, the walls have been reduced to little more than stony banks. The wall acts as a substantial revetment, holding back a considerable depth of topsoil in the adjacent field. This topsoil may cover surviving masonry remains associated with a settlement or farm visible on a map of 1805. The settlement is not shown on any other map or plan.
Site Name
Byermoor, farm buildings
Site Type: Specific
Farm
HER Number
7237
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
The Archaeological Practice Ltd, 2004, Byermoor Farm, Tyne and Wear - Archaeological Assessment; Estate Plan, c.1805, "Lands Held by Sir Thomas John Clavering Baronet" (Tyne and Wear Archives DT/BEL2/6)
YEAR1
2005
English, British
Class
Monument <By Form>
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
02
District
Gateshead
Easting
1799
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ15NE
MONTH1
06
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
5769
General Period
UNCERTAIN
Specific Period
Uncertain
Place
Byermoor
Description
A steep valley or channel running roughly west to east from West Wood towards Fellside Road. The feature is 167m long, 30-40m wide and 10m deep. It is largely featureless and appears natural in origin, but its floor appears to be flattened into platforms at various points and the bottom section has a flattened floor and an associated bank running parallel with its southern lip. The upper part of the feature has been infilled, latterly by farm waste. The channel is on the same line as a trackway shown on Ordnance Survey first edition, and which still exists, through West Wood.
SITEASS
Byermoor is known to have been exploited for its coal reserves from at least the early eighteenth century when a wagonway (HER 5952 and 5953) was built across it and contemporary maps show coal mines there. Abandonment of mining seems to have occurred in the 1730s when the wagonway closed. A diverse range of archaeological remains associated with early eighteenth century mining are visible at Byermoor, mostly as earthworks, some as cropmarks. Such remains are now rare in the county of Tyne and Wear. In view of their rarity, diversity and good state of preservation the remains on Byermoor must be regarded as of high regional significance. The importance of the remains of early coal mining and transport on Byermoor is enhanced by the presence of underlying ridge and furrow cultivation features, thereby reflecting the move from farming to mining at a time when more investment was made in mining at the beginning of the eighteenth century.
Site Type: Broad
Earthwork
SITEDESC
A steep valley or channel running roughly west to east from West Wood towards Fellside Road. The feature is 167m long, 30-40m wide and 10m deep. It is largely featureless and appears natural in origin, but its floor appears to be flattened into platforms at various points and the bottom section has a flattened floor and an associated bank running parallel with its southern lip. The upper part of the feature has been infilled, latterly by farm waste. The channel is on the same line as a trackway shown on Ordnance Survey first edition, and which still exists, through West Wood.
Site Name
Byermoor, channel
Site Type: Specific
Earthwork
HER Number
7236
Form of Evidence
Earthwork
Sources
The Archaeological Practice Ltd, 2004, Byermoor Farm, Tyne and Wear - Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2005
English, British
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
02
District
Gateshead
Easting
1812
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ15NE
MONTH1
06
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
5778
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Byermoor
Description
Ridge and furrow cultivation features occupy a wide area stretching from the line of the Western Way II Wagonway (HER 5953) westwards and southwards.
SITEASS
Byermoor is mentioned in the twelfth century Boldon Book, but no information is provided about the nature of contemporary land-use there. The presence of ridge and furrow beneath mining remains suggests, however, that arable farming was practised between the medieval period and the late seventeenth century.
Site Type: Broad
Cultivation Marks
SITEDESC
Ridge and furrow cultivation features occupy a wide area stretching from the line of the Western Way II Wagonway (HER 5953) westwards and southwards.
Site Name
Byermoor, ridge and furrow
Site Type: Specific
Ridge and Furrow
HER Number
7235
Form of Evidence
Earthwork
Sources
The Archaeological Practice Ltd, 2004, Byermoor Farm, Tyne and Wear - Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2005
English, British
AREA_STAT
Conservation Area
Class
Religious Ritual and Funerary
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
CONDITION
Good
DAY1
09
District
Sunderland
Easting
4067
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Granite
MONTH1
06
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
5931
General Period
20TH CENTURY
Specific Period
Early 20th Century 1901 to 1932
Place
Roker
Description
Memorial cross, 1904. Signed “GW Millburn York Sculpt” and “CC Hodges, Hexham inv. et direx”. Granite. Saxon style. Tall tapered shaft. Dedication to Bede and Eadfrith, and extracts from Bede’s writing on west. Interlace pattern and low-relief carved scenes from Bede’s life on east. Vine pattern and northern saints, with runic inscription on north. Vine and inscription on south. Hodges was the excavator of Hexham Abbey. A later inscription records that the cross was removed in 1914 and restored to this site in 1921. LISTED GRADE 2
Site Type: Broad
Cross
SITEDESC
Memorial cross, 1904. Signed “GW Millburn York Sculpt” and “CC Hodges, Hexham inv. et direx”. Granite. Saxon style. Tall tapered shaft. Dedication to Bede and Eadfrith, and extracts from Bede’s writing on west. Interlace pattern and low-relief carved scenes from Bede’s life on east. Vine pattern and northern saints, with runic inscription on north. Vine and inscription on south. Hodges was the excavator of Hexham Abbey. A later inscription records that the cross was removed in 1914 and restored to this site in 1921.
Site Name
Whitburn Road, Bede Memorial Cross
Site Type: Specific
Cross
SITE_STAT
Listed Building Grade II
HER Number
7234
Form of Evidence
Structure
Sources
Department of National Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 920-1/5/246; Ian Ayris, Peter Jubb, Steve Palmer and Paul Usherwood, 1996, A Guide to the Public Monuments and Sculpture of Tyne and Wear, p 44; Paul Usherwood, Jeremy Beach and Catherine Morris, 2000, Public Sculpture of North East England, p 188-91; Sunderland City Council, 2007, Roker Park Conservation Area Character Appriasal and Management Strategy
SURVIVAL
100%
YEAR1
2005
English, British
AREA_STAT
Conservation Area
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
09
District
Sunderland
Easting
4073
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ46SW
MATERIAL
Render
MONTH1
06
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
6110
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
The Bents
Description
Farmhouse, now house. Late C18. Rendered with painted ashlar dressings and quoins. Roof of concrete tiles with brick gable coping and chimneys. 2 storeys and attic. 6-panelled door and plain overlight in surround of pilasters and entablature with overdoor electric light attached. Renewed glazing to basement windows. Wide ground-floor windows. First floor windows same dimensions as sashes in stone surround. Roof has renewed brick gable coping. Extensions to north and south both rebuilt and not of interest. LISTED GRADE 2
Site Type: Broad
Agricultural Building
SITEDESC
Farmhouse, now house. Late C18. Rendered with painted ashlar dressings and quoins. Roof of concrete tiles with brick gable coping and chimneys. 2 storeys and attic. 6-panelled door and plain overlight in surround of pilasters and entablature with overdoor electric light attached. Renewed glazing to basement windows. Wide ground-floor windows. First floor windows same dimensions as sashes in stone surround. Roof has renewed brick gable coping. Extensions to north and south both rebuilt and not of interest.
Site Name
Bents Farmhouse, Whitburn Bents Road
Site Type: Specific
Farmhouse
SITE_STAT
Listed Building Grade II
HER Number
7233
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Sources
Department of National Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 920-1/2/243; English Heritage, 2013, The National List for England, List Entry 1207150
SURVIVAL
100%
YEAR1
2005
English, British
Class
Education
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
09
District
Sunderland
Easting
3870
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
MATERIAL
Brick
MONTH1
06
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
5756
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Deptford
Description
Secondary school, now workshops. 1883. Possibly by GA Middlemiss. Brick with ashlar dressings. Welsh slate roof with terracotta ridge cresting and stone gable coping. Long range with left tower on rising ground. Some Gothic detail. 2 storeys. Left end a canted return to Simpson Street in a polygonal tower. Step up to plain door and overlight recessed under flat stone lintel at right of tower. Plain double doors with blind panel above. Stone lintels and sills to sash windows. Tower has octagonal hipped roof, spirelet on open belfry. Chimney at right front. LISTED GRADE 2
Site Type: Broad
School
SITEDESC
Secondary school, now workshops. 1883. Possibly by GA Middlemiss. Brick with ashlar dressings. Welsh slate roof with terracotta ridge cresting and stone gable coping. Long range with left tower on rising ground. Some Gothic detail. 2 storeys. Left end a canted return to Simpson Street in a polygonal tower. Step up to plain door and overlight recessed under flat stone lintel at right of tower. Plain double doors with blind panel above. Stone lintels and sills to sash windows. Tower has octagonal hipped roof, spirelet on open belfry. Chimney at right front.
Site Name
Wellington Lane, Former Simpson Street School
Site Type: Specific
Secondary School
SITE_STAT
Listed Building Grade II
HER Number
7232
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Sources
Department of National Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 920-1/10/234;
SURVIVAL
100%
YEAR1
2005
English, British
AREA_STAT
Conservation Area
Class
Monument <By Form>
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
7230, 242
DAY1
09
District
Sunderland
Easting
3747
EASTING2
3750
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35SE
MATERIAL
Rubble
MONTH1
06
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
5294
NORTHING2
5284
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Silksworth
Description
Garden wall to east of Silksworth Cottage. C1800. Rubble with flat stone coping. High wall along front of property has brick segmental arch over boarded door in front of house. Square rubble piers at south end. LISTED GRADE 2
Site Type: Broad
Barrier
SITEDESC
Garden wall to east of Silksworth Cottage. C1800. Rubble with flat stone coping. High wall along front of property has brick segmental arch over boarded door in front of house. Square rubble piers at south end {1}. Warden Law Lane, which is medieval in origin, is characterised by gentle curves and these high boundary walls. Tall mature tree cover also contributes to its character. The walls have been altered in places but overall they are an excellent feature. Discreet openings in the wall lead into the private houses and gardens on the lane, or through the quaint wooden gate into Silksworth Cottage.
Site Name
Warden Law Lane, Silksworth Cottage, garden wall
Site Type: Specific
Wall
SITE_STAT
Listed Building Grade II
HER Number
7231
Form of Evidence
Structure
Sources
Department of National Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 920-1/6/277
SURVIVAL
100%
YEAR1
2005
English, British
AREA_STAT
Conservation Area
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
242, 7231
DAY1
09
District
Sunderland
Easting
3746
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35SE
MATERIAL
Rubble
MONTH1
06
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
5288
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Silksworth
Description
House. Probably late C18. Rubble stone with large quoins and ashlar dressings. Welsh slate roof. 2 storeys. Half-glazed door under stone pedimented hood on brackets. Plain stone surrounds to renewed ground floor windows and to first floor sashes. Corniced brick chimneys. LISTED GRADE 2
Site Type: Broad
Agricultural Building
SITEDESC
House. Probably late C18. Rubble stone with large quoins and ashlar dressings. Welsh slate roof. 2 storeys. Half-glazed door under stone pedimented hood on brackets. Plain stone surrounds to renewed ground floor windows and to first floor sashes. Corniced brick chimneys. The Tithe Award of 1842 suggests that this was a farmhouse. There were farm buildings adjoining it to the north in 1850.
Site Name
Warden Law Lane, Silksworth Cottage
Site Type: Specific
Farmhouse
SITE_STAT
Listed Building Grade II
HER Number
7230
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Sources
Department of National Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 920-1/6/276
SURVIVAL
100%
YEAR1
2005
English, British
AREA_STAT
Conservation Area
Class
Gardens Parks and Urban Spaces
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
242, 7227
DAY1
09
District
Sunderland
Easting
3754
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ35SE
MATERIAL
Cast Iron
MONTH1
06
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
5279
General Period
20TH CENTURY
Specific Period
Early 20th Century 1901 to 1932
Place
Silksworth
Description
Lamp standard, dwarf piers and chains to
Forecourt of Doxford House forebuilding. C1900. Stone piers, cast-iron lamp standard and wrought-iron chains enclose a semicircular plot opposite the forebuilding. Bulbous rusticated base supports elaborately moulded lamp standard with large lantern, pyramidal top and spike finial. Tapered square piers with prominent cornices have iron ball finials through which chained with large spikes are slotted. LISTED GRADE 2
Site Type: Broad
Street Furniture
SITEDESC
Lamp standard, dwarf piers and chains to
Forecourt of Doxford House forebuilding. C1900. Stone piers, cast-iron lamp standard and wrought-iron chains enclose a semi-circular plot opposite the forebuilding. Bulbous rusticated base supports elaborately moulded lamp standard with large lantern, pyramidal top and spike finial. Tapered square piers with prominent cornices have iron ball finials through which chained with large spikes are slotted.
Site Name
Warden Law Lane, lamp standard, dwarf piers
Site Type: Specific
Lamp Post
SITE_STAT
Listed Building Grade II
HER Number
7229
Form of Evidence
Structure
Sources
Department of National Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 920-1/6/274