Prior to the mining boom Hunwick consisted of scattered farm-based settlements, which had evolved since the Bishop of Durham commissioned a survey in 1183 after Durham and Northumberland were excluded from the Domesday Book. While most of the land belonged to the church, the survey showed that the Bishop leased land principally to Ralph of Binchester (the Wrens) and the Earl of Westmoreland (the Nevilles of Brancepeth and Raby Castles). Other lessees included Sir William Bowes, Lord Strathmore and the Dean and Chapter. Sub-tenants such as the Hotons at Hunwick Hall became part of a feudal system in which their labourers worked for the manor but were also granted smallholdings for subsistence purposes. The only enclosures were “garths” or “closes” next to property; otherwise the open fields were divided into narrow strips, some of which were ploughed, rotating two teams of four oxen pulling a single share plough. This created the ridge and furrow effect; the fact that the oxen needed a big turning circle at the end of each ridge created curving field boundaries.   

When it was realised that planting the same crops reduced soil fertility, a rotation system was introduced, with strips being left fallow every fourth year, while wheat, oats, peas and beans were rotated. The less productive land was used for grazing, and although there was also some animal husbandry, obscure boundaries and straying animals could cause disputes, which were settled by the Manorial Court.   

The Black Death in 1349 led to a labour shortage and was followed by the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381. But it had little impact and when sheep farming increased in the 15th century as wool prices rose many land workers were removed. The poor also suffered, losing their right to graze as a result of the Enclosure Act of 1761, prior to which any enclosing of fields had been by informal agreement. The Bishop and his freeholders petitioned Parliament for 1200 acres of Hunwick Common to be enclosed. The result was that 950 acres went to six people, including Joseph Reay of Hunwick Hall and William Blackett of Helmington Hall. The other four came under Newton Cap and included Robert Shafto. They were given three years to erect and maintain fences and hedges. The usual practice was to dig a trench and create a mound on which hawthorn was planted. These hedges were likely to be straighter than any earlier ones, which can also be distinguished by their greater variety with holly, elder, ash and blackberry involved. Both types of hedge can still be found.   

Mechanisation in the 18th century further reduced the need for labour and the wealthier farmers developed an interest in selective breeding of cattle. Shorthorn became the favoured breed in Co Durham.   

The 1821 census listed 33 families in Hunwick, of whom 26 were involved in agriculture. By 1841 there were five farmers with 18 labourers and in 1861 the five farmers remained but the workers were down to seven. An 1843 tithe map, in which colours distinguish between arable and grazing land, shows farms at Quarry Burn, Dixon’s House, Furnace Mill, Kate’s Close, Lower Rough Lea, and Hunwick Farm, which is now Quarry Farm.