View source for Engineering:Cold Hesledon

{{Infobox UK place
 | official_name=         Cold Hesledon
 | civil_parish =         Murton
 | civil_parish1 =        Dalton-le-Dale
 | country=               England
 | region=                North East England
 |coordinates = {{Coord|54|49|1|N|1|21|50|W|region:GB_type:city|display=title}}
 | os_grid_reference=     
 | post_town=             
 | postcode_area=         
 | postcode_district=     
 | dial_code=
 | constituency_westminster = 
 | unitary_england=        County Durham
 | lieutenancy_england=        Durham
 | hide_services=         Yes
 | population =
 | population_ref = 
 | area_total_km2=
 |static_image=Dalton Pumping Station.jpg
 |static_image_caption=Dalton Pumping Station
 |website=
}}
'''Cold Hesledon''' is a village and former civil parish, now in the parishes of Murton and Dalton-le-Dale, in the County Durham district, in the ceremonial county of Durham, England. It is situated a short distance to the east of Murton. In 1961 the parish had a population of 997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10196747/cube/TOT_POP|title=Population statistics Cold Hesledon Tn/CP through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=6 August 2023}}</ref>

==Dalton Pumping Station==
Within the village is a large [[History:Victorian era|Victorian]], Gothic Revival former Water pumping station, designed by Thomas Hawksley for the Sunderland and South Shields Water Company.<ref>'Conservation Statement for Dalton Pumping Station', North of England Civic Trust, May 2010.</ref> The engine house contains a pair of 72" single-acting non-rotative Cornish beam engines by Davy Bros of Sheffield, dating from the 1870s when the complex was built. (Pumping engines of this period were more often of a double-acting [[Physics:Rotative beam engine|rotative]] design (as seen at nearby Ryhope); the use of Cornish engines here seems to be due to the great depth of the well - some 450 feet.) The site suffered for many years from subsidence due to nearby mine workings; this in part led to the engines being decommissioned in the 1940s, and to the demolition in the 1960s of the striking campanile-like top section of the central tower/chimney. (The surviving chimney tower at Bestwood Notts., by the same architect, is of an almost identical design.)

The pumping station site was bought in 1995 with a view by its owners to transform it into a pub; however the building became Grade II* listed, which allegedly stopped its development.<ref>'Conservation Statement for Dalton Pumping Station', North of England Civic Trust, May 2010, page 24.</ref> It subsequently remained empty and unused for over twenty years, while applications were made to convert the property into apartments.<ref name="DCCPlanning" />

In 2020, with the buildings under new ownership, planning permission was granted for their conversion into a wedding venue, bride shop and commercial offices.<ref name="DCCPlanning">{{cite web |title=Planning – Application Summary |url=https://publicaccess.durham.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=QKPBJOGDKS400 |website=Durham County Council |access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref> In 2022 '''Dalton Old Pump House''' opened for business.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wheeler |first1=Katy |title=Inside stunning Dalton Pumphouse as renovation nears completion at historic site |url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/business/inside-dalton-pumphouse-as-renovation-nears-completion-at-historic-site-3536604 |access-date=18 January 2024 |work=Sunderland Echo |date=21 January 2022}}</ref> The twin engines and surviving buildings have been preserved and restored. Wedding ceremonies are conducted in the Engine Room, the Boiler Room is used for wedding receptions and other events, and the former coal store contains offices.

==Other notable landmarks==
Nearby is Dalton Tower, a ruined tower house.

== Civil parish ==
Cold Hesledon was formerly a township in the parish of Dalton-le-Dale,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/place/5506|title=History of Cold Hesledon, in Easington and County Durham|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=6 August 2023}}</ref> from 1866 Cold Hesledon was a civil parish in its own right,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10196747|title=Relationships and changes Cold Hesledon Tn/CP through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=6 August 2023}}</ref> on 1 April 1983 the parish was abolished and merged with Dalton-le-Dale, Hawthorn and Murton.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/durham%20eastern.html|title=Durham Eastern Registration District|publisher=UKBMD|accessdate=6 August 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://publicaccess.durham.gov.uk/online-applications/files/E5BE7478260C093A4B183689ED5C7578/pdf/DM_20_03562_LB-RCHME_SURVEY_REPORT__PART_1_-2820185.pdf Dalton Water Pumping Station RCHME Survey Report (1997) - part 1]
* [https://publicaccess.durham.gov.uk/online-applications/files/9E1BC8D6EC5BF2F86A5E4203DE464C20/pdf/DM_20_03562_LB-RCHME_SURVEY_REPORT__PART_2_-2820186.pdf Dalton Water Pumping Station RCHME Survey Report (1997) - part 2]
* [https://www.daltonoldpumphouse.com/ Dalton Old Pump House] (official website)


[[Category:Cornish engines]]

{{Sourceattribution|Cold Hesledon}}