Cotherstone village in County Durham is set on the River Tees, 4 miles
from Barnard Castle. Today a large and pretty village, its history goes
back to the Domesday Book and it has remains of a motte-and-bailey
castle dating from the 1200s. In more recent times it became a
well-known destination for holidaymakers from the growing urban centres
nearby, and at one time was known as 'Little Sunderland' because of its
popularity in that city. Cotherstone has connections with Hannah
Hauxwell, who became famous through the television documentary series
about her harsh life as a farmer on the Pennines above the village, and
through the locally produced Cotherstone cheese. This fascinating
history of the village of Cotherstone in Teesdale will be of interest to
all those who have lived in the village or know it well.