Nestled in a small village in northeastern England is Washington Old Hall, the ancestral home of George Washington. At the heart of historic Washington Village, this picturesque stone manor house and its gardens provide a tranquil oasis, reflecting gentry life following the turbulence of the English Civil War.
The building incorporates parts of the original medieval home of George Washington’s direct ancestors, and it is set in lovely grounds and gardens, some beautifully landscaped in a formal manor style and some wild flower meadows in the Nuttery and a small orchard too.
This property is owned and operated by the National Trust and although smaller than some of its other sites, it has a unique charm and great historical significance, especially for American visitors.
Origins of the Washington name
George Washington, the first President of America, has his ancestral roots back here in England and the small northeast town of Washington, which gave him his surname, and after which, ultimately, the capital of the US, Washington, D.C., is named.
After falling into disrepair in the 19th century, Washington Old Hall was restored and now in the capable hands of the National Trust, this important piece of history is preserved.
Although George Washington himself was born in Virginia in 1732, the son of an American tobacco planter, the story of the Washington family began centuries ago in the village of Washington, in the ancient County Palatine of Durham.
The name Washington dates back to Anglo Saxon times and had various spellings Wessynton, Whessingtun or Wassington; in fact the locals still pronounce the word as ‘Weshintun’ but it is spelt Washington.
People were often called after the jobs that they did or the places that they lived. The Anglo Saxon meaning of the word Washington is Hwassa = a saxon chief, Inga = the family of, and Tun = the estate. The estate of the Hwassa family. When William de Hertburn moved from Stockton to Washington to become the estate’s tenant, he assumed the name “de Wassyngton” as his surname, in the custom of the times.
The hall today
Today, Washington Old Hall is furnished much as it would have been in the 17th century. The Hall is a popular regional visitor attraction and hosts a regular programme of events and is well used by the local community. It is also the destination of many American visitors, who come to see the ancestral home of their first president.
In recognition of the connection with America, the Hall celebrates key festivals and events every year, such as Independence Day and Thanksgiving. It has links with various American organisations and especially Washington, D.C.
Inside, there are displays on the family tree of George Washington and the more recent history of the hall. There is also a fine collection of oil paintings, delftware and heavily carved oak furniture of the period.
Outside, there is a recreated 17th century garden, complete with topiaries that lead to the Nuttery, a picturesque wildflower nut orchard.
It is worth taking the time to stroll through the ornamental gardens and perhaps try one of the delicious home-made scones in the tearoom.
Washington Village
Washington Hall is right next to Washington Village, which, as most English villages are, is arranged around a smart village green. The old stone cottages are all well kept with colourful flower displays everywhere and there are several coffee shops, gift shops and restaurants to browse around. You could even stay overnight in Ye Old Cop Shop — a bed and breakfast situated in the old police station, which would always have been in the centre of things. These northeast villages would have been busy in medieval time as centres for trading and commerce and the feeling of it being a friendly close knit community is still here all these years later.
The Washington family was a prominent one, illustrated by the visit of Edward I on his way back from Scotland in 1304 and they had their own coat of arms. The senior branch of the family continued to live at the Hall until the death of William in 1399. George Washington was the son of Robert Washington, William’s great, great grandson.
Washington Old Hall: a charming day out
The hall itself has had a turbulent time after its grand heyday when the Washington’s lived there. It appears that subsequently the hall became let to a series of tenants and gradually slid down the social scale. Later in the 19th century, it was being used as tenement for numerous working class families living in the poorest conditions. It is thought that up to nine large families may have lived in the different parts of the hall altogether at one point. In 1932 the Old Hall was closed and declared unfit for human habitation.
A restoration committee was formed in 1951 (the war got in the way a bit) and the house was finally opened to the public in 1955 by the US ambassador. It was given to the National Trust in 1956.
I have lived in the northeast most of my life and I had never been here! It is so true that often you don’t appreciate what is on your doorstep. Washington Old Hall has a tangible warm friendly feel as soon as you walk through the door, and I was impressed by the beautiful gardens and the Nuttery, a sort of semi wild secret garden with a little stream running through it. There is some top topiary too!
Visitors from the US come in from their cruise ships which dock at North Shields and make the trip to see the ancient family home of the very first President of the United States.
Washington Old Hall is a delightful place for an afternoon out and a fascinating story to tell.
History
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