Seaton Holme, Easington Village

Driving through Easington Village, a large white 'Manor House' should hold your gaze for a few seconds. This is Seaton Holme, which was so named in 1950. This name comes from old English/Anglo-Saxon, where sæ means sea and tun means settlement. Holme means an area of dry land surrounded by a waterlogged area. Moors surrounded Easington until more settlers farmed.

This house was a rectory and is now an esteemed grade I listed building.

It is purported that an older building from Anglo-Saxon times existed here, and you will find local information at St Mary the Virgin Church opposite. I recommend the purchase of a booklet, 'A History of Easington Village' by Hannah Brown. It was written for the Women's Institute history competition 1959/60 and was highly commended. It gives a wonderful insight into village life and details various buildings.

My thanks go to Hannah (not the same as above) and Paul who gace me a tour and showed me the display with information about this wonderful rectory.

Seaton Holme was built as a retirement home for Prince Bishop Nicholas De Farnham and dates from 1248. It then became an administrative headquarters for the top clergy. Archdeacons resided here until 1832 and were rectors of St Mary the Virgin. It was a prestigious home and many of the residents rose to even greater things which Hannah mentions -

Anthony Bek (1245 to 1311) who went on crusades with the King and became Bishop of Durham from 1284 to 1310.

Robert de Geneva (1342 to 1394) became an Antipope in 1378.

John Kemp (1380 to 1454) became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1452.

The building is made from blocks of sandstone and rubble. Several mighty buttresses keep the structure together, especially as it is near the coast where the North Sea will ravish it, and the foundations weren't too solid when built.

Reading the display board gives you an idea of how this was a hive of activity. Around the back are many stone buildings that in 1792 were listed as stables, barns, coach house, granary, dovehouse, corn chamber, stable yard and a 39 foot row of lower buildings for pigs, chickens etc. There were also offices for brewing, washing, cellaring and coals.

The rectory has been altered many times, such as additional wings built and other parts demolished. The hall roof was replaced in the 16th century. In the late 18th century sash windows were installed. It was later discovered that there had been a couple of arched windows between the buttresses.

Around the side and back the doors have pleasing arches, and the stonework is left au naturel.

The village was a mainstay for facilities and provisions in the area at the start of the 20th century. It had 11 butchers, 4 tailors, 3 blacksmiths. There were millers farmers, tradesmen, and builders. The rectory would have witnessed the coal mining boom too. There is information at Easington Colliery.

The last rector to live here was the Reverend George Algernon West who was incumbent from 1909. It had 22 rooms and required considerable financial upkeep. The Rev West did not have the stipend that previous rectors had due to the parish being split into many smaller parishes with their own churches like Haswell, South Hetton, Shotton, and Easington Colliery.

I assume Rev West still had some staff, especially before electricity was installed in 1914. Acetylene was used to light his home. It was made in a boiler house by mixing Calcium Carbide with water. It was then piped to the rectory.

A curate lived upstairs and could be summoned by a speaking tube that ran between the two levels.

Rev. West arranged the sale of Seaton Holme in 1921 to the County Council.

After 1921 Seaton Holme became a children's home and had alterations to accommodate this. For example, dormitories and toilet facilities. In 1937 the children were moved to other homes in the county.

It then became an annex to the workhouse for old men. From 1959/60 Hannah gives this detail

'In 1950 under the new name of Seaton Holme it became an old men's hostel. 35 men lived there and it had a staff of matron, assistant matron, cook, undercook, 4 housemaids, 2 male attendants, and a gardener-boilerman. The men lived happily in congenial surroundings and enjoy all the advantages of the welfare state - food, clothing, medical treatment, and 10/- a week's pocket money. They have a television set given by the Easington Rotary Club - are entertained by concert parties, and have an annual trip to the sea. Christmas fare is lavish.'

Within the North East of England, there are mentions of Alice in Wonderland and this display board gives the information and that of a royal connection.

Here is the Bowes Lyon crest which is high up just inside the front door on your right.

Seaton Holme became a day care and training centre but was neglected and around 1990 it was sold to Easington Parish Council for £1. It was in a state of dilapidation and took much to spruce it back to its former glory. Funds were sourced from lottery and grants. The south side wall was structurally unsound and had major repairs. Inside there are only a few former features.

Because of its age - some may ask if Seaton Holme is haunted. Well, yes it is!

Hannah Brown mentions the vaults which I assume is the cellar. She states:

'The vaults divided into “stalls” to hold barrels of beer and French wines, were used as air raid shelters in World War II.'

Paul and Hannah who kindly showed me around told of a young lad called James who in Victorian times was instructed to fetch something (beer/wine?) from the cellar (the door with the quatrefoils). Tragically he fell down the steps and died. Some people stepping into this cellar say they have felt someone tugging at their waist.

Others have heard coughing and the paranormal groups have a field day here with so much activity. It is said the stairs are a hive of paranormal vibes and there has been a suggestion of a hanging.

I believe a paranormal group is hosting an event here in January 2025.