Cleadon

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Cleadon is a suburban village in North East England in the county of Tyne and Wear. The estimated population of Cleadon is around 4,500 and there are a few shops but mostly expensive houses. Cleadon is a short walk from the local East Boldon Metro Station. The village is around 16 km (10 miles) from the city of Newcastle and about 8 km (5 miles) from the city of Sunderland.

The famous author Charles Dickens resided in Cleadon for a short period in 'Cleadon House' on Front Street. Here Dickens gained much inspiration for the character of Miss. Havisham in his novel Great Expectations. The description of her house is a description of Cleadon House. Although not certain, it is alleged that a man who lived in the house was stood-up at the alter and immediately ordered the clocks and reception at Cleadon House to be kept exactly the same as that at the moment he was to be married for a year - thus the inspiration for Miss. Havisham.

As well as these people, many more modern famous people have lived or still reside within Cleadon. These include, footballers such as Kevin Phillips, Stefan Schwarz, Michael Gray and the world-famous retired heaviweight boxer Frank Bruno has been known to regularly visit friends in the village. Many other famous people are rumoured to live in Cleadon but they keep their lives private to avoid public attention.

Oliver Cromwell also famously resided for a short while in the Village during the English Civil War.

There are no doctor's surgeries in Cleadon.

Houses in the village date back to the 15th Century one which contains both a secret passage and priest hole. Alongside these impressive homes there are two historic pubs, and a traditional village pond which is a reminant of an ice age lake. The park in central Cleadon used to have a lake with the famous boathouse in Bluebell Wood at the end of the park which has long since fallen into disrepair. This building is often perceived to be a dungeon or prison due to its metal bars and menacing appearance.

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