Norton John Walker's Walk, Norton High Street via Gravel Hole Quarry, historical walk instructions

Our walk starts on Norton Green at St Mary's Parish Hall opposite the duck pond. The building was originally a National School for boys, and this can still be seen in the stonework above the door. Built in 1838 the building was also originally occupied by a Blacksmith.

Set off from the school towards the ring road, St Mary's church is on the left across the road. Continue on the path and cross the ring road using the footbridge. Alternatively - taking care you can cross the road at ground level. Take the stairs off the bridge and walk down Dove Lane. Continue to the end of Dove Lane and left onto Crook Street.

There are 4 houses on Crook Street and the stone in the house wall identifies them as railway houses built in 1925. These houses were built by North East Railways after the 1st World War for railway workers. It is understood the houses are still made available now to retired rail workers. There are four similar sites in Teesside, one of which is at Lanehouse Road, Thornaby. Continue past the railway cottages on the right-hand side and continue towards Station Road, turn right towards the railway.

As you cross Stapleton Street close to the Kinza shop you will see a sign for Station Road and above it another sign in the brickwork for Page Terrace 1874. Again, this was originally the location of houses for railway workers before the rest of Station Road was built - likely in the 1930s.

Continue towards the level crossing, food and drink and a friendly welcome are available at both the Norton Sports Club (Cricket club) and Norton Tavern. Both have beer gardens and the Tavern has pictures and articles regarding the foundry where the original Big Ben Bell was cast. The Tavern is also a dog friendly pub.

Cross over the level crossing at what was once Norton Station. The Houses to the right are on the site of what was Norton Foundry. This is where the original Big Ben was cast in 1856. Weighing 16 tons the Bell was transported from Norton Station to Hartlepool and transferred by ship to London. The Bell was tested and then stored for 16 months ready for use. Before Installation the Bell was tested again. This time a bigger hammer was used, and the Bell cracked. Another smaller Bell was cast at another site and this is the bell that is used today.

Follow the road round to the right onto Westminster Oval (named after the links to the original Big Ben). Turn right and follow the road till you reach St Stephens Close. Continue onto St Stephens Close and at the end of the road you will see a path leaving the estate. Follow this path into the woods. When you enter the woods take a slight left turn rather than the path to the right.

As you leave the small wood you will see to your right a pedestrian crossing over the railway, this is the route of the walk. However, if you would like to visit the Quarry turn left along the Public footpath. At the end of the path turn right into the Quarry. Have a wander and see if you can locate what is perhaps an open-air theatre?  This can be quite unsettled under foot but is worth the effort to find.

Return to the route of the walk and cross the railway line (taking care to check for trains) into Crooksbarn Estate. Crooksbarn is named after the original farm on the site. Also, you will see that all streets are named after birds - perhaps you can research and draw them when you get home? Continue along Shearwater Lane to the end, turn left, then first right onto Fieldfare Lane. Use the pedestrian crossing to cross the ring road.

Continue on Fieldfare Lane towards King Edwin School and take a left down the Mill Lane track. The lane leads to the site of Norton Mill, it's no longer there and replaced with the A19. Stay on the track and look to the right into the school field. Keep your eyes peeled and you might see a couple of Alpacas and Goats.

Stay on the track. At the bend there is an incline that takes you into the site of an excavation carried out in 1984 when the A19 was being built. The site identified an early Saxon Burial ground dated between 540AD to 610AD. More than 100 burials were located along with numerous personal items from those times.

As you continue through the gate turn right and along the footpath to the end, reaching old Billingham Road. Turn right at the gate walking back towards Norton. Turn right into Beaconsfield Road and continue up the hill back to Norton Green.

As you return to the corner of the Green to the left used to be the site of a Tannery. Also, to the left of the site is a footpath nicknamed the Black Path. You can research the rather 'grizzly' reason for the name Black Path. Continue along the road in front of Norton Hall which now contains apartments. The Hall used to be owned by ICI.

The final part of the walk will take you up and down both sides of the High Street. Here you will find numerous places to eat and drink suitable for all tastes!

Turn left past Blackwells Butchers and walk up the High Street away from the duck pond. The 'Thunderstone' can be found a short way along the High Street in front of a brick gate post at 102 High Street. The stone was thought to be a meteorite but is actually volcanic rock (look up Norton Heritage group article, 'Not a Meteorite'). The stone was found during excavations for the garden at Norton Hall. The owner of the house then located the stone as a 'Bumper block' to prevent carriages damaging the brick supports of the gate. The name 'Thunderstone' was given to it by the pupils of Norton Board School.

Further along the High Street is a blue plaque indicating the home of Dr McGonigle. Medical officer of Health for Stockton. Noted for his work in studying malnutrition, poverty and poor health. He lived there from 1924 to 1939 and is buried in St Mary's churchyard.

Further up the High Street opposite the pedestrian crossing is the original entrance to Norton Board School. The stonework and clock are still visible. It is thought that the building on the High Street was the caretaker's house. The school itself was where CO-OP supermarket now stands. Use the pedestrian crossing to cross the High Street and turn right to head back towards the duck pond.

The Fox Alms-houses are located on the High Street, founded by John Henry Fox 1897. The homes are still in use today. The Priory is the large House at No 71 High Street, this home has so much history that there is a book from Norton Heritage group dedicated to this house. The book is available from Norton Library. Prime Minister Harold Macmillan stayed there a few times. An original Tram stop post is still located on the High Street identified as Norton Tramways. This is located at the roadside in front of the Priory house. Please be careful when viewing as it is on the roadside.

A second blue plaque can be found at Gary Walsh Photography. It is self-explanatory...

Return to the green and St Mary's Church. As you approach the church gate the building on the left is the original vicarage, this was sold and is now part of Red House School.

Look out for our JOHN WALKER LEGACY CHALLENGE! Can you find our more modern John Walker tin?

Clue: Look for a welcome sign for the beautiful location of our John Walker matchbox tin but don't worry we have permission. Use the what3words app

LOG YOUR NAME AND DATE. READ THE CONTENTS AND DON'T FORGET TO PUT THE BOX BACK WHERE YOU FOUND IT!

As you pass through the church gate follow the path to the right along the church wall. At the corner of the church the gravestones can be seen from the path. The grave of John Walker inventor of the Friction match is the 4^th stone along. He died in 1859 aged 78. The 3rd stone along is believed to be that of his father. John Walkers gravestone is a replacement stone, the original can be found at Preston Hall Museum as detailed on the rear of the headstone.

There is plenty of Historic interest in Norton High Street if you would like to know more please look up the information from the Norton Heritage group on Facebook.