Hurworth from the Anglo Saxon "Hurde Wurde" (an enclosure made
of hurdles) or in earlier times Hurthworth meaning enclosed
settlement (worth) with a wickerwork hurdle or hedge (Hurth. The
wooded hill?, extends along the northern edge of the River Tees,
overlooking a large natural ampitheatre of about four miles in
circumference to the south. Steps and a narrow lane leading down
to the river edge at the east end of the village, opposite the
Otter and Fish are all that remains of the ferry landing site
which operated until 1906. Along Strait Lane is a row of
terraced cottages with upstairs windows placed very close to the
eaves. These are old weavers cottages and were designed to
maximise the amount of light entering the upper floor where
workers operated their spinning machines. Stem fibre from
locally grown flax was spun into thread and then into linen
cloth. At it's peak in 1830, 120 weavers were employed in
Hurworth, until weaving ceased in 1870. Fields of blue flowers
are becoming much more common as farme