County Durham Strange but True

County Durham Strange but True brings together curious people, places, customs and reported phenomena from across the county. Robert Woodhouse ranges from Gertrude Bell’s achievements and the story of Durham’s musical dwarf, Count Joseph Boruwlaski, to the Greek-style Penshaw Monument, Wainhope’s fossilised tree and a concrete ship on the River Wear.

The book also records local traditions, including Whitburn’s loving cup and Ushaw College’s ball game, ‘cat’. Alongside these customs are tales of exceptionally large livestock bred around Darlington, reports of fairies at Bishopston and legendary monsters said to have roamed the countryside. Together, the accounts present County Durham through its lesser-known stories, landmarks and traditions.