Place Name

Coronation, County Durham, England

Where the Crown is a Little Crooked but Still Shines Bright

 Introduction:

Wey lad, Coronation. A name that sounds like it should come with trumpets, velvet robes and a royal procession, but instead you get a friendly little village where the grandest ceremony is the annual bake off and the only sceptre in sight is the wooden spoon used to stir the Victoria sponge.

Folk hear the name and expect palaces, crowns and maybe a stray corgi. What they actually find is a warm community, a few winding streets and a charm that sneaks up on you like a nosy neighbour peekin through the curtains. Coronation is the sort of place where the crown might be a bit crooked, but it still shines all the same.

Toponymy:

Let’s break this one doon:

Coronation – A word that usually means pomp, ceremony and someone plonkin a crown on someone else’s head. Here in County Durham, it is more likely tied to a local event, a moment of pride or someone with a flair for the dramatic who fancied givin the village a name with a bit of sparkle.

Put simply, it is a royal name for a down to earth place, and the locals love it that way.

Historical Context:

The name Coronation first pops up in the nineteenth century, a time when the monarchy was on everyone’s lips and folk were namin things after royal events like it were goin out of fashion. Maybe the village wanted to feel a bit grand. Maybe someone had just baked a pie fit for a king. Maybe it were a joke that stuck. No one knaws for sure.

Over the years, Coronation has been home to farmers, miners, bakers, shopkeepers and folk who simply wanted a quieter life. Stories float around about a baker who once declared his pastries worthy of royalty, and another tale about a village fair where the only crown was made of daisies and worn proudly by the fair queen.

Whatever the truth, the name has become part of the village’s charm, a reminder that even the humblest places can have a touch of grandeur.

Points of Interest:

If you are knockin aboot, have a look at:

• St Marys Church – Peaceful, historic and perfect for a quiet moment.

• Hamsterley Forest – Trees, trails and a break from the world.

• The Bowes Museum – Art, history and a bit of culture.

• Bishop Auckland – Castles, markets and proper northern character.

• The Crown Inn – A pint, a plate of scran and a warm welcome.

Notable Figures:

Folk tied to Coronation or County Durham include:

• George Stephenson – Father of railways and local legend.

• William Wordsworth – Poet who loved the northern landscapes.

• Joseph Swan – Inventor who lit up the world.

• Vera Baird – Politician and advocate for justice.

• Dave Stewart – Musician with roots in the region.

Conclusion:

So next time you find yourself in Coronation, take a moment to enjoy the gentle humour of a village with a name far grander than its size. It is a place where the crown is metaphorical, the people are genuine and gan ape for a Coronation chicken.

For more strange and wonderful names across the UK and Ireland, have a look at www.strangeplacenames.com where the daftest gems are waitin to be discovered.

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