Low Lambton Riverside

pproximate location / Grid Reference: NZ32080 54683

Google Maps: approximate location: 54.885889,-1.501147

The area on the south bank of the river Wear close to the Victoria Viaduct, between Cox Green in the east and Penshaw Staithes in the west, was known as 'Low Lambton'. A ferry boat operated across the river here, more details of which can be found on the Victoria Viaduct > Ferry page of this site.

Given the peaceful and rural nature of the area today, it may be difficult to imagine that the area to the east (down-river) of the Victoria Viaduct on the south bank of the river was once a busy, noisy and highly industrialised area. Here were quarries, coal depots, waggonways, ovens, cranes, saw mills, coal drops and wooden staithes. The remains of the staithes can clearly still be seen today along the riverbank in the mud at low tide. Just inland were the Londonderry-owned quarries, which supplied the stone to build the Victoria Viaduct and also nearby Penshaw Monument. Stone was loaded onto keelboats here and transported down-river to the port of Sunderland where it was loaded onto waiting seagoing ships for onward transportation. The remains of stone buildings/structures are also just visible off the modern-day riverside path.

Above: the riverside path at Low Lambton Riverside today, looking up-river (west)

Above: Low Lambton riverside area today looking west

Above: A lovely old picture showing staithes on the south bank of the River Wear to the east of the Victoria Viaduct and shaped stone, possibly from the Penshaw stone quarries, ready for shipment.

Above: A modern image, courtesy of Mr Keith Cockerill, to compare to the staithes image above

Above: remains of wooden staithes at low tide, Low Lambton

Quarried stone could be transported to the staithes either overland from the quarries, but more usually via a series of substantial, well constructed stone-lined tunnels. Entrances to these tunnels can still be seen today on the riverside path between Cox Green and Low Lambton, though they have mostly been sealed up.

Above: Old buildings - long since demolished - at Low Lambton on the south bank of the Wear to the east of the Victoria Viaduct.

Above: Victoria Bridge over the River Wear - John Wilson Carmichael 1838. At first it was thought that the artist painted this view from the area known as 'Dog Hole', looking down-river but this is now not so certain. Looking at the positioning of the arches of the bridge it is more likely it was painted from the north bank of the river looking up-river. The building visible on the right-hand bank of the river may be connected to North Biddick Colliery.