Houghton-le-Spring /ˈhoʊtən liː spriŋ/ is a town in North East England, which has its recorded origins in Norman times. It lies in the local government district of the City of Sunderland, administratively in Tyne and Wear, and in the historic county of County Durham. It is situated almost equidistant between the cathedral city of Durham 7 miles (11.3 km) to the south-west and Sunderland about 6 miles (9.7 km) to the north-east.