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| Penshaw | |
|---|---|
| Village | |
 Penshaw Monument, fromHerrington Country Park | |
  Penshaw Location withinTyne and Wear | |
| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HOUGHTON LE SPRING |
| Postcode district | DH4 |
| Dialling code | 0191 |
| Police | Northumbria |
| Fire | Tyne and Wear |
| Ambulance | North East |
| UK Parliament | |
| |
Penshawlocally/ˈpɛnʃə/, formerly known asPainshaw orPensher is a village in themetropolitan district ofSunderland, inTyne and Wear, England.Historically, Penshaw was located inCounty Durham.
The namePenshaw was recorded in the 1190s asPencher and is ofCumbric origin.[1] The first element ispen, meaning 'hill' or 'summit' and the second*cerr/*carr - 'stone, hard surface'.[2]
Penshaw was formerly atownship andchapelry in the parish ofHoughton-le-Spring,[3] in 1866 Penshaw became a separatecivil parish, on 1 April 1937 the parish was abolished and merged with Houghton le Spring andOfferton.[4] In 1931 the parish had a population of 7183.[5]
Penshaw is well known locally forPenshaw Monument, a prominent landmark built in 1844 atop Penshaw Hill, which is a half-scale replica of theTemple of Hephaestus inAthens. Owing to its proximity toDurham City, the area was allocated a Durham postcode,DH4, which forms part of theHoughton-le-Springpost town. It lies about three miles north of Houghton-le-Spring, just over theRiver Wear fromWashington. It borders Herrington Country Park and is surrounded by a series of villages: Herrington, Shiney Row, Biddick, Coxgreen and Offerton.
Leisure facilities include the easily accessibleHerrington Country Park, which contains a play area,amphitheatre, skateboard park, lake with extensive wildlife and a memorial site to Herrington Colliery which once mined the site for coal. The site hosts public events such as the county show which includes dog shows, face painting and bouncy castles. There are three public houses, The Prospect (original name recently restored), The Monument (formerly The Ship) and The Grey Horse. Though no working men's club remains, a Catholic club is situated on Station Rd.[6] Community facilities include Penshaw Community Centre and All Saints' Church Hall; both organise regular spring and summer events. In the village, at the foot of Penshaw Hill, is Penshaw Equestrian Centre.[7] At the centre of Barnwell is an extensive playing field and young person's play area. Penshaw also has three primary schools within walking distance of one other: Barnwell, New Penshaw and Our Lady Queen of Peace Roman Catholic.
There are two annual events for children, an easter egg rolling competition on Penshaw Hill[8] and ascarecrow huntScarecrow Trail Event organised by the village community.
An annual cross-country event takes place in May or June each year when Sunderland Harriers stage the Penshaw Hill Race[9] with a presentation to the winner and runners up in The Monument public house after the race.[10]
There are extensive views from the top of Penshaw Hill on a clear day:Durham Cathedral to the South West, the coast ofRoker andSeaburn to the East and theCheviot Hills to the North.
The Hill, as it is known locally, also overlooks Wearside Golf Club, a long-established golf club originating in 1892 and Sunderland AFC's Stadium of Light can also be seen clearly from here.
Media related toPenshaw at Wikimedia Commons