West Auckland
The story of how a team of miners' sons from West Auckland conquered the world to win the first World Cup is well known in Wear Valley. They did it twice, the second time beating Juventus 6-1. A great sporting tradition had begun, and the event was captured in a television adaptation starring Dennis Waterman. West Auckland also has one of the largest village greens in the county, which is lined by attractive 17th- and 18th-century buildings. In 1870 West Auckland made history when Mary Ann Cotton was hanged in Durham Jail after being convicted of poisoning her son at their home. She has an entry in The Guinness Book of Records as the greatest poisoner ever; it is believed that she murdered 20 people in total. The creation of a church dedicated to St Helen in ‘Auckland West’ saw the beginning of a separate community called St Helen's Auckland. Most of the woodwork is Victorian, though some is 17th century, having been donated by the Eden Family who lived in West Auckland Manor. Monuments to the family can be seen outside the east window. There are various memorials in the form of brasses and windows.
Related Links
See more destinations in County Durham