Shotley Bridge

Shotley Bridge
Population	27,394 (2001) [1]
OS grid reference	NZ108511
Unitary authority	County Durham
Ceremonial county	County Durham
Region	North East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	CONSETT
Postcode district	DH8
Dialling code	01207
Police	Durham
Fire	County Durham and Darlington
Ambulance	North East
UK Parliament	North West Durham

Shotley Bridge is a village in the Derwent Valley, adjoining the town of Consett in County Durham, England. Shotley Bridge was once the heart of Britain's swordmaking industry.

The origins of swordmaking here dated from 1691. A group of Lutheran swordmakers from Solingen in Germany settled in Shotley Bridge, allegedly in order to escape religious persecution, though in practice their departure was prompted by their breaking of guild oaths. Shotley Bridge was probably chosen because of the rich iron deposits in the area and because of the fast flowing waters of the River Derwent, which were ideal for tempering swords. Another factor may have been the remoteness of the area, as the swordmakers were keen to preserve their trade secrets, those that they had illegally taken with them from Germany. The swordmakers were able to employ the services of the famous local engraver Thomas Bewick. Swords are no longer made in the Shotley Bridge district. Today, the village is best known for the local hospital, which was a major centre for medical care in North East England until the opening of the University Hospital of North Durham in 2001, when its size and services were scaled back.

Parts of the hospital are now disused and are in the process of being demolished. The village has grown in recent years to accommodate a growing population, with new housing estates by the river Derwent, around the old hospital site and on Queen's Road under construction. Old mill buildings by the river are being converted into housing.

Notable buildings include the Gothic town hall, St Cuthbert's Church[2], designed by John Dobson, and many pretty sandstone cottages. The village is set in very attractive countryside, surrounded by woodland. Shotley is believed to be a corruption of Scotley and is thought to mean the ley, or woodland clearing of a Scotsman [3] or clearing where pigeons are to be found. The name Derwent comes from Brythonic/Old Welsh and means "oak river".

England Test cricketer Paul Collingwood played for Shotley Bridge Cricket Club in his youth where he learned his trade under the tutelage of the great CG Stephenson. . Professional footballer Ben Clark was also born in Shotley Bridge as was England Rugby Union international Mathew Tait.

There are three very famous German swordmakers who settled in the village.