Witton Gilbert

Witton Gilbert
Witton Gilbert Witton Gilbert shown within County Durham
Population	2,419 (2011)
OS grid reference	NZ235459
Unitary authority	County Durham
Ceremonial county	County Durham
Region	North East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	DURHAM
Postcode district	DH7
Dialling code	0191
Police	Durham
Fire	County Durham and Darlington
Ambulance	North East
EU Parliament	North East England
UK Parliament	City of Durham
List of places UK England County Durham 54°48′29″N 1°38′06″W / 54.808°N 1.635°W / 54.808; -1.635Coordinates: 54°48′29″N 1°38′06″W / 54.808°N 1.635°W / 54.808; -1.635

Witton Gilbert /ˈdʒɪlbərt/ is a village and civil parish in County Durham, England.

Witton Gilbert is situated about 3.7 miles (6.0 km) to the north-west of Durham. River Browney passes to the south of the village, while Dene Burn, one of its tributaries, runs through it. Parts of the Prior of Durham's Park of Beaurepaire are within the bounds of Witton Gilbert.

The village once had a railway station on the Lanchester Valley Line, but this was closed in the early 1960s, with passenger service withdrawn in the late 1930s. However, the station building survives as a private residence, along with one of the platforms. The former railway line has been turned into a foot and cycle path and is part of National Cycle Route 14.

There is archeological evidence of the area having been populated in the late Neolithic and in the Bronze Age. A small Roman settlement at Crookton across the River Browney existed as a settlement until the 13th century.

Witton Gilbert is a medieval town of Saxon origin. Witton was originally spelled Witun (Wit meaning white house and Tun meaning fortified place). The designation "Gilbert" was added later and could refer to the Norman lord Gilbert de la Ley, a major landowner in the 12th century, or a later lord Gilbert de la Latone. In medieval times Witton Gilbert was very important to the churchmen of Durham and became the place of a retreat or residence of the latter. Other occasional occupants included visiting royalty such as King Edward III and Queen Philippa and also King Edward I.