But, according to a new book compiled by local historian Sybil Reeder, it could have an even greater claim to fame.

"There is a rather unlikely, but persistent, legend that lawn tennis was invented here," she reveals in Memories of Whitburn.

"The story is that, in 1873, guests arrived at Whitburn Hall expecting to play tennis, but there was no indoor court.

"So their host had an experimental grass court set up for them, and lawn tennis was born on the lawns of Whitburn Hall!"

Whatever the truth of that little piece of folklore, Whitburn's links with Lewis Carroll have been well documented over the years.

But it is a story which Sybil is still asked about frequently, so she has included a few details in her new book.

"Carroll visited Whitburn on a number of occasions, staying with Mr and Mrs Wilcox, of High Croft in Lizard Lane," she said.

"Nella Wilcox was his cousin, and William Wilcox his uncle.

"During these visits, Carroll often walked on Whitburn beach, where he may have gained inspiration for The Walrus and the Carpenter, in Alice Through the Looking Glass.

"The Jabberwocky poem was first narrated by Carroll to entertain his cousin when he was staying in Whitburn, and is thought to have been inspired by the legend of the Lambton Worm."

Another Carroll link comes from Lady Hedworth Williamson, of Whitburn Hall, whose cousin, Alice Liddell, was the Alice for whom the books were written.

Carroll often visited the Williamson family during his trips to Whitburn, making up stories to entertain the children at the Hall.

"Some of these stories, inspired by things he had seen during his walks, may later have been woven into the Alice books," said Sybil.

Whitburn is, however, a notable village in its own right. Indeed, the ancient community is thought to be thousands of years old.

"The oldest evidence of occupation is a harpoon carved from deer horn, which dates to about 6,000BC," said Sybil.

"The original village was probably a Saxon settlement and its name was probably Hwita Byrgen, the burial place of Saxon chief Hwita."

These, and many other fascinating details, are all contained within Sybil's new book, along with dozens of old and rare photos.

Other highlights of the 58-page volume include a charming description of Victorian Whitburn, and details of its historic houses.

"In 1976, Whitburn was described as a 'veritable jewel' by Harry Thompson, in his book Durham Villages," said Sybil.

"Whitburn has grown since then, of course, but the original village retains much of its charm and character.

"Indeed, there can be few villages that still have all the essentials of a mediaeval village, such as a green, pond, pinfold and windmill."