The flora and fauna is thriving and there’s a great nature trail taking in relics of a once industrial past. The village of Earsdon offers a taste of tradition rarely seen today. Aranda Garrard finds out more. EARSDON is perfect for those wanting to put down roots in a place with a real sense of community spirit.
The village, one of the oldest in North Tyneside, has many different types of housing on offer. From a row of sandstone terraced cottages in Church Way, to a Grade II listed Georgian Manor House, built just before 1780, and the latest, more modern development, Earsdon View from Miller Homes. The village is a Conservation Area, two miles from Whitley Bay and bordered to the south by the A186. There are good bus links to Newcastle, although the nearest Metro station is in Shiremoor. The Red Lion pub stands on the corner of Front Street, and serves both good food and a quiet pint. And The Beehive, found along a narrow country road and has an excellent menu. The oldest part of Earsdon lies west of the Red Lion, south of Front Street, where there are still traces of the earlier medieval village. There is a collection of old stone walls and buildings, including the remains of a small Pele tower built in the 16th Century. The war memorial of a granite sailor standing on guard faces the Manor House. This Grade II listed structure commemorates servicemen lost during the First and Second World Wars. The most prominent landmark in the village is St Alban’s Church – a Grade II listed building, built in 1837. The long grassy areas in its churchyard are planned meadows of wildflowers, maintained by North Tyneside Council. For those who are interested in the area’s mining history, behind the church is a Grade II listed monument to those who lost their lives in the Hartley pit disaster of 1862. A total of 204 men and boys died in the Hester Pit of Hartley Colliery after a beam above the shaft of the mine broke. More information on this can be found at the Coal Town exhibition at Woodhorn, Northumberland. The historic core of the village gives rise to a sense of informality. However, its Edwardian terraces such as John Street, Church View and Garden Terrace, and the later development of Woodlands Close have more formal layouts. There is a fine arts and crafts-style building, the Grade II listed Edward Eccles community hall, while Quarry Cottage is a quirky 1960s-style dwelling with deeply cutting roof, prominent chimney, and set within a generous garden. This home is in contrast to the substantial Georgian dwellings elsewhere in the village. The former primary school, built in 1860, is now a community centre. It is an active hub of village life. From the former school playground, there are great views of the countryside leading towards Holywell and Seaton Delaval. Helen Thompson, sales associate for Remax Property Plus said: “Having lived in Earsdon myself for 17 years until 2005, I can recommend it as a very peaceful village which is rural, yet close to the links of a larger town. “Many properties are of historic interest and architectural detail. “The community centre and church hall host many groups, such as dance classes, a village flower show, and scouts. A local livery stable means the clip clop of horses can be heard as they head off to the coast. The nearest first school is South Wellfield First school and Wellfield Middle school. Last year, the village won the Wansbeck Trophy in the Best Village category of Nothumbria in Bloom. “There is a good mix of property. In the past year, the average price of a four-bed home was £450,000, £362,000 for a three-bedroom home and £169,000 for a two-bed.” | 
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