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The Pumphouse Restaurant History |
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Durham is steeped in history, displayed in the ancient monuments and buildings throughout the city, from the Norman Cathedral and Castle to over 600 listed buildings, most of which are in the conservation zone that defines the city centre.
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Some of the notable buildings include the Chorister School and St. Giles Church. Whilst these buildings remain in use for the reasons they were designed, others have been renovated and given over to different functions to accommodate the modern requirements.
One such building is the famous Grade II listed Aykley Heads House, which is now used as a continental bistro. Another fine example is the Pump House Restaurant.
The Pump House Restaurant opened in 2002 and has built up a reputation since then as the premier place in the North East for fine dining. As the name suggests, the restaurant has breathed life into an old Pump House, the first to supply fresh water to the city.
Health reports at the time indicate that the Pump house served it’s purpose very well. The buildings were erected in 1849, and drawing water from the River Wear, delivered it, pumped and filtered, throughout the city via a main pipeline along the course of Hallgarth Street, and into a reservoir at Mount Joy.
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Towards the end of the 19th Century, Durham's water supply came under the control of Weardale and Shildon water company, which brought fresh water in from the Waskerley Reservoir. The work from the Pumphouse at Haughall had come to an end until today, forming a classic environment for some exceptional contemporary dining.
Visitors to Durham are always impressed by the ancient layout and structures within this small and vibrant city. Older buildings sit happily with more recent renovations and developments and the Pump House Restaurant is a fine example, showing how an old building can be redefined in a stylish modern setting.
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