Place Name

Fence Houses, County Durham, England

Where the Fences Are High, and the Houses Are Low!

Introduction:

Fence Houses. A name that sounds like a builder’s shopping list and a housing estate had a baby. Folk hear it and imagine a row of houses made entirely of fences, or fences made entirely of houses, or some bizarre architectural experiment gone wrong.

The truth is far more County Durham. A friendly village with history, humour and a name that has confused delivery drivers, tourists and the occasional satnav for generations.

It is the kind of place where you ask for directions and the local says, “Aye, you’re in Fence Houses,” and watches your face melt into bewilderment.

Toponymy:

Let’s break this one doon:

Fence – Likely from the old word for an enclosure or boundary. Could refer to farmland, mining plots or the endless fences that once divided the land. Could also refer to the locals’ talent for keepin things in, out or occasionally both.

Houses – Straightforward enough. Homes, dwellings, places where folk live, laugh and occasionally shout at the dog for diggin up the garden again.

Put together, Fence Houses becomes a name that sounds literal, daft and oddly charming. It is the kind of name that makes you smile even as you wonder who approved it.

Historical Context:

The name Fence Houses appears in nineteenth century records, likely tied to the mining boom. Some say it was named after the fenced‑off land used for pit workers’ cottages. Others say it came from a row of houses built along a boundary fence.

Another tale claims the name came from a misunderstanding at a council meeting where someone said “the fenced houses” and the clerk wrote it down wrong.

Whatever the truth, the name stuck harder than coal dust on a pitman’s boots. The village grew, the fences changed, the houses multiplied and the name became one of County Durham’s finest examples of accidental comedy.

Points of Interest:

If you are knockin aboot, have a look at:

• Houghton le Spring – Shops, history and proper northern crack.

• Bournmoor Village – Quiet, pretty and perfect for a wander.

• The Lambton Worm – Local legend, giant worm, cracking story.

• Hetton Lyons Country Park – Lakes, walks and wildlife.

• The Black Bull Inn – A pint, a plate of scran and locals who have heard every Fence Houses joke imaginable.

Notable Figures:

Folk tied to Fence Houses or County Durham include:

• John Wesley – Preacher who travelled the region.

• Sir William Waller – Civil War figure with northern ties.

• Joseph Swan – Inventor who lit up the world.

• David Almond – Author with deep northern roots.

• St Bede – Historian whose influence still echoes across the region.

Conclusion:

So next time you find yourself in Fence Houses, take a moment to enjoy the daftness of a name that sounds like a flat‑pack furniture range. It is a place full of warmth, humour and the kind of charm that makes County Durham unforgettable.

For more strange place names that make you giggle, wander over to www.strangeplacenames.com where the UK and Ireland are bursting with places that sound like they were named after a long day, a short meeting and a strong cup of tea.

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