Rare Old Ordnance Survey Map, Sheet 11 - Durham & Sunderland, 1925: Seaham Harbour, Bishop Auckland, Houghton le Spring, Chester le Street, Hetton le Hole

This Old Ordnance Survey Map, Sheet 11 - Durham & Sunderland, published in 1925, is a fascinating piece of cartographic history. It provides a detailed snapshot of the Durham and Sunderland region during the early 20th century. The map showcases various towns, cities, and interesting features, allowing you to explore the area as it was nearly a century ago.

Why is this map amazing?

1. Historical Insight: This map offers a unique glimpse into the past, allowing you to discover the region's rich history. It showcases the towns and cities of Durham & Sunderland, along with other notable settlements such as Seaham Harbour, Bishop Auckland, Houghton le Spring, Chester le Street, and Hetton le Hole. By studying this map, you can uncover how these places were laid out and understand their significance in the context of the time.

2. Evolution of Place Names: Exploring this map reveals intriguing insights into the evolution of place names. While some modern cities may not be present on this map, you may find them under earlier names or as smaller settlements. This adds an exciting layer of discovery, allowing you to trace the development of the region's geography and understand how it has changed over time.

Notable Settlements:

• Durham & Sunderland: The two major cities featured on the map, each with its own distinct history and landmarks.
• Seaham Harbour: A historic port town known for its coal exports and shipbuilding industry.
• Bishop Auckland: Home to the magnificent Auckland Castle, a medieval fortress and the official residence of the Bishop of Durham.
• Houghton le Spring: A former mining town with a rich industrial heritage, known for its historic Houghton Hall.
• Chester le Street: A market town with a fascinating history, including its association with the Lumley Castle and the Roman fort of Concangis.
• Hetton le Hole: A former coal mining village that played a significant role in the region's industrial past.

Notable Boundaries, Rivers, and Natural Features:

• River Wear: A prominent river that flows through Durham and Sunderland, shaping the landscape and providing a vital transportation route.
• Durham Dales: A picturesque area of rolling hills and valleys located to the west of Durham, offering stunning natural beauty and scenic walks.
• Penshaw Monument: A distinctive landmark situated on a hill overlooking the River Wear, providing panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
• North Sea Coastline: The map captures the stretch of coastline along the North Sea, showcasing the region's connection to maritime activities.

Historical Events:

1. Durham Miners' Gala (1925): This annual event, also known as "The Big Meeting," was a significant gathering of coal miners and trade unions. It celebrated the region's mining heritage and served as a platform for political and social activism.
2. Sunderland AFC's FA Cup Victory (1913): This map predates Sunderland AFC's historic FA Cup win in 1937, but it captures the football club's earlier successes. In 1913, Sunderland AFC won their first FA Cup, becoming the first team from the northeast of England to achieve this feat.

Please note that this map is part of the Ordnance Survey's One-inch "Popular" edition, covering England and Wales. Durham & Sunderland are located within the historic county of Durham.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x40in (76x101.5cm), 37x50in (94x127cm), 45x60in (114x152.5cm) and 52x70in (132x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 90in (229cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45.5x61cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

The labels on this map are very small at 12x16in (30.5x41cm). The map is still very attractive, but you may struggle to read the smallest letters. Please buy a larger map if it's important to be able to read the map easily.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of UK and Ireland maps.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.