Located in the county of Tyne & Wear in the north east of England, Hetton-le Hole is a town established for approximately 200 years. Only due to reorganisation of local government it was in 1974 that the Hetton Town Council was formed. Twenty-one councillors represent four wards in the area these being Hetton-le-Hole,Easington lane,Hetton Downs and East Rainton& Moorsley. Sunderland City Council are the governing body of the region. Hetton-le-Hole along with adjoining towns and villages was a coal mining area with Hetton Lyons colliery being established in 1822. George Stephenson built a railway from the Hetton Lyons colliery to Sunderland dock area and some of the methods he used were still being used around the late 1950''s so along with Sir Nicholas Wood the coal mining business in the area flourished. Houses were built for the miners and their families and after the demise of the mining industry some of these stone cottages were dismantled and re-erected at The Beamish Museum which provides a good look at all the lifestyles of the miners in days gone bye and in fact most things relating to the North East of England. Now due to the closure of the mines and their dependant industries local labour has diversified to shops,factories and other means. The Hetton Town Council have, over the years of its existance made many improvements to the area and continue to do so. Land was reclaimed and man made lakes constructed which provide canoe-ing and fishing facilities. Around the Lyons Country Park area is a cycling path and provision for horse riding. A new swimming pool is under construction, replacing the old one which gave good service.
Nicholas Wood in partnership with George Stephenson who invented the steam engine was responsible for the setting up of most of the colliery works in the area. The Hetton Coal Company owners also decided to build a wagonway from their new Hetton mine to the River Wear at Sunderland . George Stephenson was chosen as the engineer of the new eight mile long line. The methods he adopted were still used until 1959 as was some of the original machinery. These activities led to a rapid increase in the size of Hetton and over 200 houses for the miners were built at once. These have all but gone now, but twelve of these former mining cottages from Francis Street in Hetton were re-erected stone by stone at Beamish Open Air Museum , Stanley , near Chester-le-Street . Probably the most famous person born and raised in Hetton-le-Hole is Bob Paisley, former Liverpool Football Club manager who had great success in over 50 years at the club. Lyons Country Park which was constructed on reclaimed land after mine closures in the area.Today, nothing now exists of the mine in Hetton. The former mine complex has disappeared and slag heaps have been removed.The surrounding area has been landscaped and is now occupied by wildlife. Sports activities are held at various venues in the town centre,Karate and boxing spring to mind. A new swimming complex is being built in the town centre adjacent to the Hetton Centre.The Coalfields Swimming Pool with a 25-meter pool with viewing area, learner pool, fitness, sauna, reception and changing facilities. The project is being developed by Pellikaan builders in cooperation with B3Architects. Pellikaan with more than 60 years’ experience of designing and constructing commercial buildings and sports facilities are still a family operated company. Like most towns, the centre has not changed so much since being built, in old pictures available some of the old buildings can still be recognised quite easily.

Durham City lies eight miles to the south west of the town and is a great tourist attraction as well as being a cathederal city and a university city.

Last updated 3d July 2009