Washington Old Hall in Tyne and Wear has reopened to the public today, 6 April 2026, following safety checks conducted after the arrival of Storm Dave over the Easter weekend.
The site, which is managed by the National Trust, is welcoming visitors today between 11:00 and 16:00. Families visiting the historic property can also take part in the final day of the Easter egg hunt, which remains open until 15:00.
Storm Dave brought severe winds to the North East on 4 and 5 April, resulting in widespread disruption including fallen trees, property damage, and power cuts. Engineers from Northern Powergrid have been working to restore electricity to thousands of affected homes across the region following the weekend weather.
Washington Old Hall is a significant local landmark known for its 13th-century architecture and its history as the ancestral home of the family of George Washington, the first president of the United States. The property, which now sits within the City of Sunderland, was saved from demolition in the 1930s following a local campaign led by Frederick Hill and was eventually transferred to the National Trust in the 1950s with the support of the former Washington Urban District Council.
Visitors to the site can explore the house and the grounds, which include a formal parterre garden, a wildlife-rich nuttery, and a children’s adventure playground featuring a wooden castle.
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