Gilesgate

Gilesgate is a place in County Durham, in England. It is situated to the east of the centre of Durham.

Gilesgate was originally the main street in a settlement associated with the Hospital of St Giles which was sited by the existing St Giles Church. The street was divided in the 1960s by the construction of the A690 and the demolition of a number of houses, pubs and shops at the foot of Gilesgate Bank to construct a roundabout. East of Gilesgate itself was Gilesgate Moor. During the 1800s housing extended along the Sherburn and Sunderland Roads and the colliery village of New Durham was built within the parish. Additional housing was constructed along the Sherburn Road in the 1930s, including the Sherburn Road Estate, built to house residents from the slums of Framwelgate. Following the Second World War, a further council housing estate was constructed north of the Sunderland Road with the streets taking the names of war leaders and local receipients of the Victoria Cross. In modern usage Gilesgate can refer to the street, the smaller area (partly following old council boundaries) consisting of the street above the roundabout and the Sunderland Road estate, or a wider area including the Sherburn Road and much of Gilesgate Moor.

Modern Gilesgate

The areas closest to the city have proved popular with students at the nearby Durham University. This is helped by the location of the College of St Hild and St Bede, and the education department on the edge of Gilesgate.

In recent years there have been a number of housing developments, converting old factories - such as a soft drink factory at St. Giles' Close - and old waste heaps. There are shops sited around Gilesgate and a number of pubs, including "The Woodman" and the "Durham Light Infantryman", the latter named after the local county regiment.

The historic parish church of St Giles is a grade I listed building, with the Roman Catholic church of St Joseph located on Mill Lane. Local primary schools include Gilesgate, Laurel Avenue, St Hilds (Church of England) and St Joseph's (Roman Catholic). Secondary education for most of Gilesgate is provided at Durham Gilesgate Sports College.

ee also

* Gilesgate Moor
* Kepier Hospital

External links

* [http://www.thenortheast.fsnet.co.uk/DurhamCityGilesgate.htm North East History Pages on Gilesgate]
* [http://www.northeasthistory.co.uk/the_north_east/history/echomemories/durham/404/221004.html Northern Echo Durham Memories article, 22/10/04]
* [http://www.northeasthistory.co.uk/the_north_east/leisure/DURMEM250403.html Northern Echo Durham Memories article on Gilesgate and Kepier, 25/04/03]