... there used to be an old derelict house in the valley that we called the haunted house.... would this be Elstob House? >The name 'Elstob House' rings a bell, but I can't confirm that this is what we used to call the haunted house. I've looked at a few maps but none of them have a name for the house. It was more or less the only building in the valley behind the hills. ================================================================== The 'haunted house' you refer to was most likely the building that stood on its own in the valley on a bend in the road that runs between Tunstall and Leechmere. For many years, it stood empty and derelict except for the chickens kept their by the local farmer. I can understand how it got its haunted tag as it did indeed look quite a spooky place in a spot where there are no street lights. The valley often fills with low-lying mist, that looks like dry ice... which used to make it even more spooky. Eventually, some brave soul did the place up and I think there has been a number of different owners since then. Elstob House. on the other hand, is the farm on the ridge of land that extends north west from Tunstall Hill itself. There is a rather atmospheric oil painting in Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, executed in the early 1900's. It's a snow scene and the viewpoint is somewhere below the 'Green Hill' near to where Leechmere Road now runs. You can see the 'Green Hill' on the right hand side, a flock of sheep in the foreground, and Elstob House Farm in the distance. Elstob House is still standing and is marked on the current OS Explorer Map 308 (as is the 'haunted house'). There are two hills making up Tunstall Hills (or Maiden Paps) as they were originally called. One has a limestone rockface with an OS triangulation pillar and is nicknamed the Rocky Hill. The other hill, more rounded and grassy, is nicknamed Green Hill. A large crowd of people make their way their on Good Friday morning where they errect a wooden cross and hold a short ecumencial service. The Green Hill affords a spectacular view across the City of Sunderland. Regards... David Allan.