Riding Field Way

HER Number:
1921

District:
Gateshead

Site Name:
Riding Field Way

Place:
Whickham

Map Sheet:
NZ15NE NZ25NW

Class:
Transport

Site Type: Broad:
Tramway

Site Type: Specific:
Wagonway

General Period:
Post Medieval

Specific Period:
C17

Form of Evidence:
Documentary Evidence

Description:
The Riding Field was the eastern part of the Harding lands. It was rich in coal and had been intensively worked quite early in the 17th century using wain and cart. To gain access to the mouth of the Team, however, Ralph Harding obtained a wayleave through Jackson’s Land in Matfin’s Haugh in 1683. Matfin’s Haugh was one of four Haughs in Whickham Meadows. The lease obtained by Ralph Harding probably refers to a branch from a waggonway running north of Dunston Hill. However, the existence of Riding Field Way is first proved by its mention in a mortgage of 1701. It is also mentioned in a lease of 1704 and 1710. The way ran roughly south-west to north-east and its remains are still visible on the Long Hill in the Riding Field. It continued north through the South Cornmoor, along much the same route as its contemporary - the Northbanks Way, crossing the latter in Coalway Haugh to reach the lower Team. The Riding Field Way is also mentioned in 1716 when the owners of Northbanks Way (the Montagus) bought shares in it. The waggonway continued in use until 1744, when the Grand Allies gave notice to terminate the agreement, as the centre of production has shifted further south, and the way was not heard of again.

Easting:
1980

Northing:
5926

Grid Reference:
NZ19805926

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
<< HER 1921 >> Pers comm. A. Rounding, 2001, letter to County Archaeologist Durham Records Office, D/St D5/2/35, 142, 143, 151, 153, 161, 164 Public Records Office, Chancery Lane, London, C8 7/188 Public Records Office, Chancery Lane, London, C22 772/13, C9 182/45 Durham Records Office, D/CG 16/1076 47, 108, 146 Team Way at Team Colliery Eighton -Gateshead Library Local Studies, GPL BP 1/83 1723, Northbanks and proposed Tanfield Ways, 28 April 1723, -Gateshead Library Local Studies GPL CP/1/140 A. Williams, 2004, A Fighting Trade - Review and mapping of routes; unpublished document for Tyne & Wear Heritage Environment Record