County Durham A Rare Insight

The history of County Durham and Durham City in rare historic images.

County Durham has a rich history and much has changed over the past 150 years. This new book from North East author Araf Chohan brings to light some of the memories of region through unique and rare photographs. 

See the towns and villages of County Durham, including Bishop Auckland, Crook, Stanley, Barnard Castle, Chester le Street, as well as the collieries, industries, people and landscape. 

In one rare image, the interior of a pub in Howden Colliery is shown in the late 1800s with staff and punters posing. 

Another shows an early motor car with its driver paying the toll to cross Abbey Bridge in Barnard Castle. 

The book also covers the magnificent city of Durham, too. Long a centre of religion, learning and commerce, this wonderful place retains a lot of its historic core. Yet, as these images prove, has also changed so much. 

A wonderful collection of rare images for those who love County Durham.

Araf Chohan is a local author who was born and lives in Middlesbrough. In 1978 he joined British Airways, working as an airline steward for 26 years. Retiring in 2004 Araf has devoted himself to recording the changes all around him in the North East through his extensive collection of images and postcards.