Middleton-in-Teesdale | |
---|---|
Middleton-in-Teesdale town centre |
|
Middleton-in-Teesdale shown within County Durham | |
Population | 1,137 (2011) |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | BARNARD CASTLE |
Postcode district | DL12 |
Police | Durham |
Fire | County Durham and Darlington |
Ambulance | North East |
EU Parliament | North East England |
UK Parliament | |
Middleton-in-Teesdale is a small market town in County Durham, in England. It is situated on the north side of Teesdale between Eggleston and Newbiggin, a few miles to the north-west of Barnard Castle. The settlement is surrounded by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Middleton is administered by Durham County Council. It is part of the Bishop Auckland parliamentary constituency, which has been represented in parliament by Helen Goodman (Labour Party) since 2005. It is in the North East England region, which serves as a constituency for the European Parliament. The local police force is Durham Constabulary.
The small market town in Upper Teesdale expanded in the early 19th century when the London Lead Company moved its northern headquarters there from Blanchland in Northumberland. Much of the architecture from its days as a company town is still clearly visible. This includes Middleton House, formerly the headquarters of the company, the school (which is now an outdoor centre) and some company houses.
A fountain was erected in the town in 1877 to honour Robert Walton Bainbridge, superintendent of the London Lead Mining Company.
Middleton served as the terminus of a railway line from Barnard Castle until this was closed as part of the Beeching Axe.