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Peterlee

Parish in County Durham, England

Coordinates:54.758, -1.337
OS grid ref:NZ 42 40
Population:37,015
Dialling code: 01429 (Hartlepool)
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Peterlee is a post‑war new town in County Durham, England, created after 1948 to rehouse families from the Durham coalfield and named for miners' leader Peter Lee. It sits on former mining land near the Durham coast and was planned to improve housing and community facilities for working families, so the town still carries visible traces of its industrial origins in its street layout and green spaces.

One of its best‑known features is the concrete modernist Apollo Pavilion, designed by Victor Pasmore - once controversial, later restored and now regarded as a significant piece of public art. Economically the town has shifted from deep mining to a mix of light industry, retail and public‑sector employment, while local culture remains shaped by a strong mining heritage, civic activity and ongoing regeneration efforts.

Postcode districts covering Peterlee

Most populated places nearby

Neighbouring places

Example postcodes in Peterlee

Transport links

  • Durham Tees Valley Airport 17.6 miles28.4 km
  • Newcastle International Airport 23.9 miles38.4 km
  • Seaham 5.4 miles8.7 km
  • Hartlepool Railway Station 7.1 miles11.5 km

Hotels near Peterlee Ad

Schools in Peterlee

  • Acre Rigg Academy Primary
  • Acre Rigg Infant School Primary
  • Dene Academy Secondary
  • Dene House Primary School Primary
  • East Durham College Further education
  • Howletch Lane Primary School Primary
  • Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School Primary
  • Seascape Primary School Primary
  • Shotton Hall Primary School Primary
  • St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College Secondary
  • The Academy at Shotton Hall Secondary

Local points of interest

  • Castle Eden Dene Nature reserve 1 mile1.6 km
  • Outer Harbour Harbour 5.3 miles8.6 km
  • Victoria Park Stadium 6.9 miles11.1 km
  • Hartlepool Marina Marina 7.2 miles11.6 km
  • Seaton Carew Beach Beach 9.2 miles14.7 km
  • Sedgefield racecourse Recreation 9.3 miles15 km
  • Seaton Snook Hill 9.7 miles15.6 km
  • University of Durham University 9.7 miles15.6 km
  • Dunkeld Close Estate 9.8 miles15.8 km
  • Stadium of Light Stadium 11 miles17.6 km
  • Sunderland Harbour Harbour 11 miles17.7 km
  • Teesport Harbour 11.1 miles17.9 km