A few miles south of Consett lies Tow Law, a small township situated in an area of fringe moor land, on the eastern approaches to the Pennine Hills in the west of County Durham, some 10 miles from Durham City. It is also a civil parish in the Wear Valley district. The main A68 Darlington to Edinburgh road, once an old Drover’s road, runs right through it. The town saw rapid growth during the last 150 years. In 1841 only one building stood in the locality, called Tow Law House, but by 1851 the population had reached almost 2,000 and by the early 1870’s reached 4,968 reaching a peak in 1881 of 5,005 inhabitants. It was Charles Attwood who established an Iron Works in 1845 near to this solitary house to take advantage of the Iron Ore found in upper Weardale and of the coal reserves in and around Tow Law that led to this growth. The firm became known as "Weardale Iron and Coal Company" with six blast furnaces erected for the smelting of the ironstone while a large colliery was sunk a little to the north of the area, given the name ‘Black Prince’. Other mines were quickly sunk and took the names of Royal George, Old Thornley, Hedley Hope and West Edward. A number of these collieries had coke-ovens and brick works attached. The Baring Brothers merchant bank financed the expansion. Since the closure of the collieries in the 1970’s, Tow Law is a shadow of its former self but retains its historical, industrial past with pride.
Doctor
Pub and Bar
Black Horse
Dans Castle Inn
Rose & Crown
Restaurant
School
Blessed John Duckett RC School
Tow Law Primary School
Shops
Robinson Bros
Dobson Butchers
Tow Law Pharmacy
Hers & Sirs
Golden Fry
Places to Stay near Tow Law
Helme Park Hall County House Hotel (1.23 miles)
The Helme Park Hall Hotel extends a warm welcome to all guests. Set in the beauty & grandeur of the Wear Valley, this quaint hotel offers the very best in accommodation, ... More
Greenwell Farm (1.34 miles)
A very warm welcome at Greenwell Farm which overlooks the hills of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. These character cottages situated in peaceful country surroundings are well equipped to a high standard ... More | visit website
Cornmill Cottage at Stowhouse Farm Cottages (2.12 miles)
Click here to book this cottage with Hoseasons
Nestling within 120 acres of peaceful farmland, four pretty and very comfortable cottages are ideally situated for exploring the unspoilt treasures of England's northerly counties. Attractions as ... More
New Hall Farm (2.74 miles)
New Hall Farm is an 18th century working farm on the outskirts of Wolsingham, Weardale. New Hall Farm Cottage has been recently extensivly refurbished to a very high standard. With oak flooring throughout the cottage, the lounge is ... More | visit website
Dowfold House B&B (3.95 miles)
Royal Oak (3.97 miles)
Welcome to the Royal Oak . The Royal Oak is a family run Venue situated in one of Durham's hidden Valleys offering fantastic panorama, venues and walks. We have a ... More
Hamsteels Hall (4.84 miles)
The Old Mill Knitsley (5.39 miles)
Newlands Hall (5.41 miles)
Kings Head (5.69 miles)
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