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 and the village green with several conker trees and a stone cross to commemorate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee in 1897.
