| Official Name: | Westgate |
| Country: | England |
| Region: | North East England |
| Coordinates: | 54.7333°N -10°W |
| Hide Services: | Yes |
| Population: | 298 |
| Population Ref: | (2011 census) |
| Static Image: | Low Slitt Lead Mine - geograph.org.uk - 2531261.jpg |
| Static Image Caption: | The preserved mine (wheel pit) north of Westgate on the Slitt vein |
Westgate is a village in the civil parish of Stanhope, in County Durham, England. It is situated in Weardale between St John's Chapel and Eastgate. In the 2001 census Westgate had a population of 298.[1] Westgate is also the entrance to Slitt wood and an old abandoned lead mine. Other features of the village include a caravan site and a football and basketball court.
Westgate Castle was a peel tower-cum-hunting lodge, probably built in the 14th century, and forming the western gatehouse (hence the name) of Stanhope Deer Park owned by the Bishop of Durham.[2] In 1442 the building was granted to Lord Lumley and used for forest courts and administration, but later served as a residence. By 1647 the 'castle' had become ruinous and was 'now demolished' although the 'crumbling walls of an old castle at Westgate' are mentioned in 1791.[3] [4] [5]
There is a Primitive Methodist chapel built 1871 and incorporating an earlier chapel built in 1824.
The Anglican parish church of St Andrew was built in 1864 by Robert Jewell Withers (1824–1894).[6]
The village was once served by a railway station on the Weardale Railway that ran up the valley to Wearhead. The line has been preserved and runs between Bishop Auckland and nearby Eastgate-In-Weardale; the former Westgate station is closed and under different use.