Pubs in Washington Village Conservation Area
Conservation Areas were introduced by the Civic Amenities Act 1967 and are defined as “areas of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance”. There are currently 14 conservation areas in the City of Sunderland, although the Sunderland website only lists 11.
Washington Village Conservation Area. This was designated in 1975, with the Village Green cross roads being in the centre. The three pubs in the designated are are The Cross Keys, The Steps and The Washington Arms. All three have character and are fitting for the area. At the time of writing they all sell real ale.
The Cross Keys (above) is located on the corner of Spout Lane and the Village Green. Dating from the 1820’s , this former Newcastle Brewery, Younger’s and Scottish and Newcastle (S&N) pub was until recently (November 2023) owned by Wear Inns. In April 2024 it was bought by Punch Taverns. The “Keys” usually has up to three cask ales available. The pub as open plan with a small bar area to the left of the entrance, a dining area to the right and a larger lounge area at the rear. This leads to a small outside beer garden at the rear, complete with archway leading to the car park.
The Steps (above) was originally called The Spout Lane and was renamed in 1986. and extended into premises next door in 1991. Its former owners included S&N and John Fitzgerald and it is now a Greene King non tied house. The small, comfortable single room lounge bar is divided into two drinking areas; the walls are decorated with pictures of old Washington. Note the sign – “Nobody Gets Out Sober” which is on the wall that used to divide the two properties. Five changing real ales are on offer and an unlined beer often features. For more on the history of The Steps, click :HERE.
The Washington Arms (above) began life in 1828 as The Smiths Arms, then became the Three Horse Shoes, then The Commercial Hotel. The name was changed to the Washington Arms in 1937. Not much has changed , only the large lounge at the back has been extended and looks out onto a large beer garden. The current owners are Stonegate, but previous owners included Bass and Westoe Brewery of South Shields. Up to three real ales feature with at least one from a local brewery.
Other features of the Conservation Area.
As well as the Village Green seen from the Keys and The Arms, major landmarks within the area include three listed buildings :-
Washington Old Hall. This Grade II listed building dates back to the 13th Century and is the ancestral home of George Washington, the first president of the United States.
The Church of the Holy Trinity. This is the church on the hill overlooking the village green and is Grade II listed.
Dame Margaret Hall. This is the birthplace of Gertrude Bell (1868) – the explorer, archaeologist (amongst other things – read the blue plaque below) The Hall is also Grade II listed and the site of one of only two blue plaques ( below) in Washington.
The Sunderland City Council website gives a full appraisals of all of its Conservation Areas. The link for the Washington Village Conservation Area is HERE where additional information about The Cross Keys and The Washington Arms can be found
Another useful website is raggyspelk..co.uk :- this website is dedicated to the history of Washington. It is mostly in the from of old photographs and articles ; subjects covered include coal mining, school photographs, buses and trains, and of course pubs! There is a lot to see so here are some brief instructions on how to find old photographs of pubs. At the home page, near top right is “What’s Where”. Click on the image and the next page will show a picture index and below an articles directory. There are 18 Photo Galleries. So, for example, the three Village pubs can be found on PG10.
This article is included in The Real Ale Trail of Washington, which can be found HERE