Houghton le Spring is a town which is located on the outskirts of Sunderland, in County Durham. The area has seen a lot of redevelopment over the years from when it was once an active coal-mining town, with many 20th century properties as well as new estates filled with modern homes. Housing development in the town has led to the addition and conversion of a former mining land which has been transformed into an attractive parkland for wildlife to thrive in. Houghton le Spring also boasts many cafes, grocery stores, lively shopping centres and attractions for residents to explore.
A lot history and culture can be found in Houghton le Spring. Locals are treated to an array of festivals, fashion shows and sporting events, along with the Rainton Meadows Craft and Food Market, a variety of cuisines, local shops, corner shops and a few high-street chains. There is a strong community spirit in the area where a mix of residents including young families, young professionals and retirees happily live together.
Houghton le Spring has an average property crime rate and an average violent crime rate. The town has an 8% higher crime rate than the North East and 7% higher than England, Wales & Northern Ireland.
There aren't many parking options available across Houghton le Spring other than residential roads and private off-road spaces. If residents are in need of secure parking, they can find free spaces on either Station Road or Brinkburn Crescent, which are both just a 15 minute walk from the town centre.
A good selection of nightlife is available within Houghton le Spring. Residents have many nightlife options of Bars, Pubs and Restaurants, some popular local venues include, Tropi's Bar, Houghton Comrades Club, The Britannia and Tee Thyme Restaurant. An even wider choice of evening venues can be found in the surrounding areas of Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland and Durham.
There are plenty of Primary and Secondary Schools found within Houghton le Spring, giving parents ample opportunity to provide their children with the best possible start in education. Some local Schools in the area include Bernard Gilpin Primary School, St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Hetton School and St Robert of Newminster Catholic School. A handful of Colleges and Universities are also commutable from Houhton le Spring, such as, Sunderland College, East Durham College, University of Sunderland and Newcastle University.
Houghton le Spring is a great place for pet owners due to the wide variety of greenery that is offered within and around the area. Dog walkers are able to explore the areas of Elba Park, Kirklea Park, Houghton Rectory Park, Hetton Bog and more.
There isn't a train station directly in Houghton le Spring, however, one can be found on Chester Le Street which is only a 13-minute drive away. From here, residents are able to easily travel to the rest of the UK and have regular transport to the popular destinations of Liverpool Lime Street, Leeds, Manchester Victoria and York. There are also services that run to Durham and Newcastle as well as local Buses which serve the area.