NEHL - A horse racing course existed to the west of Shincliffe between 1895 and 1914, before the advent of the First World War. The first meeting was ran under the title of the "North Durham and Shincliffe Steeplechases" at Shincliffe Bank Top. This meeting was so successful a limited company was established to construct and maintain and permanent course and grandstand.

A second meeting took place in the autumn of 1895, catering for the working clientele in the area. Races continued until May 1914, and thereafter the land was taken over by the Ministry of Defence. Post-war, executives could not afford to reopen the course and was actioned in 1925, becoming farmland.