NEW ELVET
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There is no firm evidence for any settlement in the area of Durham until 763, in which year according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle [2], Peohtwine was consecrated Bishop of Whithorn at Elvet on July 17th. Elvet was originally in the vicinity of St Oswald’s Church, for what is now called Old Elvet was not created until the 12th century. The consecration suggests that Elvet was then a far more important place than now.
Where the Riverside Buildings are now has been a settlement since the earlier times. Excavations before the present buildings were built, showed occupation from the 13th century.
Flooding was also major threat in medieval times, as a river wall was built in the late 14th century. Previously extensive medieval relics were found along this riverside site [3]. This part of Durham belonged to the Prior and Convent.
A coaching inn is known to have occupied New Elvet for hundreds of years. The earliest detailed plan is a town plan of 1861 and this shows the Three Tuns Public House occupying two former 18th century town houses and a building to the south. The Three Tuns continued to expand and develop over the years and traded more or less continuously as a bar and hotel until its relatively recent decline and closure in 2013 [4].
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The site encompasses all the floors above ground within 1 - 9 New Elvet, the historic buildings that form the earlier phases of the Three Tuns Hotel (Grade II Listed) and the later additions at the interior of the site, e.g., the former Princess Ballroom (noted as open in 1929 7) and its own 1970’s extension [4].
The 'Dee Cee' toffee works of Messrs S. Adams and Co were established about 1928. The reference says that they are rapidly becoming of national importance, while recent developments have been an ice factory and a brickworks on a large scale on this site.
Kingsgate bridge was designed by Ove Arup in 1963. He is also noted for his design of the Sydney Opera House.
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