Ryhope

Ryhope is a coastal village within the southern boundary of the City of Sunderland. The older 'Village' section is centred around a triangular 'green', which contains a war monument. The newer 'Colliery' area of Ryhope flanks the Ryhope Street/Tunstall Bank road, which lead toward the Tunstall and Silksworth area of Sunderland.

The A1018 Stockton Road/Ryhope Road weaves through the centre of Ryhope. This is a busy arterial route linking Sunderland with the A19 to the south-west (in fact, it was the A19 before the current high-speed dual carriageway was built in the 1970s). The Sea View road also links Ryhope with the town of Seaham.

Ryhope is 2.9 miles to the centre of Sunderland, 2.8 miles to the centre of Seaham, and 2.7 miles from the A19.

Ryhope is surrounded by farmland meaning it is a relatively isolated suburb of Sunderland. A number of Cycle routes run through the village, including the National Cycle Network Route number 1.

Located to the south-west of the village is Cherry Knowles Hospital which is part of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust. It is the main mental health services complex for the Wearside area. The Ryhope Engines Museum is also located in this area.

Ryhope forms part of the Houghton and Washington East (UK Parliament constituency).

The population of Ryhope is approximately 14,000.

[edit] History

Ryhope (meaning 'rough valley' ^[1]) is first mentioned in 930AD when king Athelstan granted the land of Bishopwearmouth (including the township of Ryhope) to the Bishop of Chester-le-Street. The land had been reclaimed from the Vikings who had captured it in 918AD.

Ryhope has a strong history of farming; in 1183 there were 22 recorded Villeins who provided the landowner with cattle and crops. in 1380 the population had swelled to approximately 150. In 1860 common grazing land was split into plots, which radiated out in strips from the village green.

Ryhope's proximity to the sea has allowed it to serve as a seaside destination for centuries. It is said to have been a favourite sea-bathing spot for the Bishop of Durham. Ryhope still has a beach although little sand remains.

Located on the Durham colafield, it was inevitable that Ryhope would follow the path of many other villages in the area, and abandon agriculture as the main employeer in favour of coal. In 1859 a colliery was opened, causing huge changes in the geography of the village. the settlement of Rhyope extended west toward the area of Tunstall, creating two distinct areas of Ryhope; the 'Village' and the 'Colliery'. Railway lines were introduced to the area, linking Ryhope to Sunderland, Seaham and other Durham Coalfield mining villages. Now only a single railway line runs through the village, although there is no longer a station. The colliery was closed in 1966.