Gainford-on-Tees is a village in County Durham,
near Darlington, that had its own spa in the 19th century. The spa is
a mineral spring on the banks of the river Tees. The water has a sulphuric
smell and was thought to have healing powers in the Victorian era, making
Gainford a popular tourist destination back then. The Victorian fountain was replaced with a
replica in 2002 after the original was vandalised. You can access the spa from
the roadside, where there are parking spaces, or walk a short distance from
Gainford like we did.
Other things to see in the picturesque village include the Jacobean Hall, Georgian street houses, the village green with several conker trees, and a stone cross to commemorate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee in 1897.
