F r e North Pennines e Pocket Guide 2008/09 Your comprehensive guide to the AONB and European Geopark www.northpennines.org.uk

Inside… • Discover the AONB • Be a Green Visitor! • Detailed Maps • Nature Watching • Events & Activities • Green Places to Stay • Local Products & Services • Area Guides • Outdoor Activities Welcome to The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Contents Page A special place 4 The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a stunning Green places to stay 8 landscape of open heather moors, delightful dales, tumbling upland rivers , Finding accommodation 9 wonderful woods, close knit communities, glorious waterfalls, fantastic birds, Be a green visitor 10 colourful hay meadows, stone-built villages, intriguing imprints of a mining and Nature watching - Reserves 14 industrial past, distinctive plants and much, much more . As well as being an Nature watching - Moorlands 15 AONB the North Pennines is also a UNESCO European and Global Geopark . Nature watching - Birds 16 Nature watching - Hay meadows 18 Where is the North Pennines? Nature watching - Geology & landscape 20 Historic environment 24 The North Pennines is a distinctive landscape of high moorland and broad upland dales Art and the landscape 25 in the North of England. It shares a boundary with the Yorkshire Dales National Park in Buy local 26 the south and extends as far as the Tyne Valley, just south of Hadrian’s Wall, in the Events & Activities 28 north. Please refer to the map on the centre pages (36 & 37) for more detail. Shows 28 The AONB is split between County Durham and Northumberland (part of Northern Rocks Festival 30 North East England) and Cumbria (part of North West England) . AONB Events Programme 31 North Pennines map 36-37 Area guides 38 How to use this guide Attractions 48 Map references Outdoor activities – Walking 54 Throughout the guide many attractions, places and other features have been given a map Outdoor activities – Cycling 59 reference eg D2 C3 A1 . These refer to the map on the centre pages (36 & 37). Outdoor activities – Horse riding 63 Outdoor activities – Fishing 64 Green Tourism Business Scheme Other AONBs 66 Look out for the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) logos throughout the guide. Publication requests 67 Wherever you see them you can be sure that the business is committed to looking after Information centres 69 the environment. See page 10 for more details or visit www.green-business.co.uk

Know Your North Pennines (KYNP) Many people working in B&Bs, hotels and attractions are now better able to tell you Image credits about the special qualities of the AONB. Through the KYNP training programme, an Front Cover: South Tyne Valley © Natural England/Charlie Hedley. Back Cover (l-r): Blanchland, High Cup Nick (© NPAP/Shane Harris), Killhope Museum © Eddie Rolmanis/Killhope. Panoramic images: pgs 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 17, 21, 27, 39, 41, 47, 49, 51, 53, 65 © Natural England/Charlie Hedley; pgs 13, 19, initiative from Pennine Horizons, many tourism providers have studied a variety of topics 22, 27, 43, 45, 55 © Marcus Byron; pg 29 © Shane Harris. Curlew – pg 5 & golden plover/lapwing – pg 16: Brian Irving © Helm Images. All other ranging from hay meadows to local food and from lead mining to transport ancient and modern. unacreditted images: © Marcus Byron, NPAP, Shane Harris, Rebecca Barrett, Natural England/Charlie Hedley, Sustrans, K. Gibson. Look out for the KYNP symbol throughout the guide - these establishments have sent people Information in this publication is correct at the time of going to print (March 2008). Every effort is made to ensure that information is accurate. However, the AONB Partnership and its Staff Unit cannot be held on the course. responsible for errors or omissions. Please double check critical information before travel. Edited and compiled by Shane Harris (North Pennines AONB Partnership Staff Unit) Maps used on pages 36-47 inclusive are based on OS mapping © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Durham County Council. LA 100019779 2008

2 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 3 Introducing the North Pennines A special place L The Eastern Fellside

The North Pennines is one of England’s most special places – a peaceful, unspoilt landscape with a rich history and vibrant natural beauty. It was People and places designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988. The character of the North Pennines landscape is Tumbling waterfalls, sweeping moorland views, dramatic dales, stone-built inseparable from the people and places found here. villages, snaking stonewalls and friendly faces – the North Pennines has all The differing nature of settlements, from the this and more! distinctive red sandstone villages at the foot of the North Pennines escarpment to the white farms and Beneath your feet barns of the Raby Estate in Teesdale, has a significant impact on landscape character. Local traditions and The impressive shapes and forms the land takes in the North other intangible elements also come together with LCottages at Hunstanworth, Pennines, from High Force on the River Tees to the sweeping wildlife, geology, soils and climate to form the near Blanchland U-shaped valley of High Cup Gill above Dufton, are the essence of the North Pennines landscape. Past, present and future generations of product of millions of years of geological processes. The people are also fundamental to an appreciation of the area’s rich cultural heritage. worldwide significance of the geology found here is recognised by the fact that the North Pennines AONB is Britain’s first European Geopark and a founding member of Plants and animals the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. pages 20-23 The area is famous for the variety and profusion of plants and animals found here. L Discovering High Eighty percent of the AONB benefits from the continuation of less intensive and more Past times Cup Gill traditional farming practices, which means that large tracts of the area are still a haven for wildlife. pages 14-19 t t e

About 12,000 people live in the North Pennines today – less than half the number r r a B

who lived here 140 years ago in the heyday of the lead mining industry. The rise and a c c e b

fall of mining has left an indelible imprint on the landscape, not just in terms of the e R / P A

physical remains but also in the pattern of local settlement. The social history of the P N miner-farmers is also an intriguing element that contributes to the many chapters in © the story of the North Pennines. page 24

L Mountain pansy

L Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum ©NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett

4 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 5 L High Cup Gill ©Natural England/Steve Westwood Fact file Who looks after the AONB? In the North Pennines you’ll find: Local communities, landowners, farmers and estate managers look after the ‘living landscapes’ of the North Pennines. These people have helped shape the landscape for • 40% of the UK’s upland hay meadows centuries and this continues today. Everyone who has an interest in the North • 30% of England’s upland heathland and 27% of its Pennines has a responsibility to care for the AONB. blanket bog The North Pennines AONB Partnership, an alliance of 22 public, statutory and voluntary • 80% of England’s black grouse sector bodies, also helps to look after the area. The work of the Partnership is carried • Short-eared owl, ring ouzel, snipe and redshank out by its Staff Unit, based in Stanhope C2 . The Staff Unit takes action to conserve and • 36% of the AONB designated as Sites of Special enhance the natural beauty of the area, to raise awareness of its special qualities and Scientific Interest to improve the quality of life for local people. • Red squirrels, otters and rare arctic alpine plants The Staff Unit holds a Gold Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) award in • 22,000 pairs of breeding wading birds recognition of its environmental practices at its offices and its wider support of • Peace, tranquility and fabulous night skies sustainable tourism in the North Pennines. Look out for the GTBS logo – when you see it you’ll know that the business is serious about looking after the environment. • England’s biggest waterfall • and mu ch, much more! Visit www.northpennines.org.uk for more information

A family of protected landscapes The aim of AONB designation is to look after our finest landscapes not just Do your bit for now but also for our children’s children to cherish and enjoy The North Pennines is a fantastic place to There are 40 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales, covering enjoy the stunning landscape, wildlife, 16% of the land area. The North Pennines covers almost 2,000 square kilometres and geology and cultural heritage that the North is the second largest member of this protected landscape family. In terms of landscape of England has to offer. During your visit to quality, the AONBs are recognised as the equal of our National Parks this nationally and internationally cherished (www.nationalparks.gov.uk) and are given the same level of protection. landscape why not do your bit to help keep To find out more about other AONBs in the North of England it special? To find out how see pages 10-13 page 66 L Holwick, Upper Teesdale

To find out more about the family of AONBs National Association for AONBs: www.aonb.org.uk l www.visitaonb.org.uk

6 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 7 Accommodation Staying in the North Pennines

Youth Hostels You are sure of a warm welcome when you stay in the North Pennines AONB There are six YHA Youth Hostels in the North Pennines: and European Geopark. Kirkby Stephen B4 , Edmunbyers D2 , Langdon Beck C3 , Alston B2 , Ninebanks B2 and Dufton B3 . Visit www.yha.org.uk or call Accommodation providers in and around the North Pennines have joined the Green 0870 7708868 ([email protected]) Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) – green accreditation for quality tourism businesses. Baldersdale (Blackton Grange C4 ) is also available as an ‘Escape to’ (sole use) The Eco Flower represents When you stay in a GTBS establishment you can be assured that your stay will be a the toughest environmental hostel along with the six hostels above – visit www.yha.org.uk tourism standard in the EU green one! page 10 Finding accommodation B&B • Boot and Shoe Cottage Parts of the North Pennines fall into Cumbria, Barnard Castle D4 • Low Cornriggs Farmhouse Durham and Northumberland. Cowshill C2 (Also self-catering) www.bootandshoecottage.co.uk l 01833 627200 www.alstonandkillhoperidingcentre.co.uk l • Brignall Mill Holiday Cottage North East England 01388 537600 Nr Barnard Castle D4 www.visitnortheastengland.com/site/where-to- www.brignallmill.co.uk l 01833 637726 • Slack House Farm stay l fill in an online request form at Ireshopeburn C2 • Beckleshele Cottage www.visitnortheastengland.com l ring the Brochure www.fleecewithaltitude.co.uk l 01388 537292 Lanehead, Weardale C2 Hotline on 08701 601781 • Dowfold House www.beckleshele.co.uk l 01388 537683 Crook D3 • The Redbrick Barn County Durham www.dowfoldhouse.co.uk l 01388 762473 Nr Rookhope C2 www.visitcountydurham.com – search for www.derwentside.gov.uk for an on-line listing of • Newlands Hall www.prydale.com l 01388 517845 accommodation in Teesdale, Wear Valley or accommodation in Derwentside Nr Frosterley D2 YHA Derwentside, complete an online form and request www.newlandshall.co.uk l 01388 529233 Northumberland • Ninebanks the County Durham Visitor Guide (includes www.visitnorthumberland.com – search for Guesthouse Ninebanks, West Allen Valley B2 accommodation) l Call 0844 8889897 l accommodation in the North Pennines l complete • Lowbyer Manor Country House www.yha.ninebanks.co.uk l 01434 345288 [email protected] l you can also view an e- online form to request a copy of the 2008 Alston B2 • Dufton brochure or download a pdf www.lowbyer.com l 01434 381230 Dufton B3 Northumberland Holiday Guide l contact Hexham, • Get hold of a copy of the ‘2008 Visit Wear Valley Hotel www.yha.org.uk l 017683 51236 Haltwhistle or Corbridge TICs (page 70) Guide’. www.wearvalley.gov.uk – download a pdf l Bunkhouse • Langley Castle Hotel contact the Durham Dales Centre (page 71) to Cumbria South of Haydon Bridge B1 • Assay House & Mill Cottage Bunkhouses request a paper copy www.visiteden.co.uk – search for www.langleycastle.com l 01434 688888 Nenthead B2 accommodation l request a ‘Where to Stay in Eden www.teesdalediscovery.com/accommodation l Self-catering http://npht.com/nentheadmines/activities/bunkhouse Guide’ using the online form l contact Alston Moor l 01434 382726/382037 call Barnard Castle TIC (page 69) and request an • Pasture Cottage Information Centre (see page 69) • Cromer House Camping Barn accommodation guide Nr Wolsingham D2 www.golakes.co.uk/accommodation – search for www.pasturecottage.co.uk l 01388 527864 Frosterley accommodation within Cumbria. Click on • East Briscoe Farm Cottages Under development l 01388 526632 www.golakes.co.uk/downloads/brochures.aspx to Baldersdale C4 www.eastbriscoe.co.uk l 01833 650087 Group accommodation download a copy of the 2008 Cumbria Holidays and • Bradley Burn Cottages • Deneholme Conference & Residential Centre Short Breaks Guide l contact the Brochureline on Nr Wolsingham D2 Allendale C1 0844 8885188 www.bradleyburn.co.uk l 01388 527285 www.deneholme.co.uk l 01434 618579 • For accommodation in Car lis le District • Alston Art Apartments • Blackton Grange www.historic-carlisle.org.uk l call 01228 625600 l Baldersdale C4 Alston B2 [email protected] – request a ‘2008 Carlisle & Under development l 01434 381906 www.blacktongrange.com l 07891 452228 L Langley Castle L Slack House Farm Hadrian’s Wall Country Holiday and Short Breaks Guide’

8 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 9 Sustainable North Pennines Be a green visitor! L Moor House - Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve © Natural England/Charlie Hedley Whatever you do and however you do it you're sure to have an impact on the Follow the Countryside Code and the environment! By making some positive choices during your visit you can be Moorland Visitor's Code confident that you are helping to look after this special place. When you are out and about in the countryside follow these codes to ensure that you get the best out of your visit and to make sure

Stay local, eat local g that the countryside is protected for future generations to enjoy n i t e k r

and buy local! a

M environment for everyone - at home, at work e Be safe - plan ahead and follow l

Support local producers and services a d s any signs and at leisure. e e during your stay in the North Pennines. T Even when going out locally, it's best to get © Prevent uncontrolled moorland fires If you visit Farmers' Markets, village the latest information about where and when Smoldering cigarette ends, discarded bottles shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants you'll you can go; for example, your rights to go and dropped matches can all cause meet local people and help to support onto some areas of open land may be uncontrolled fires on moors - particularly restricted while work is carried out, for safety the local economy. pages 26 and 27 during the spring and summer. Serious, deep- reasons or during breeding seasons. Follow Why not also support one of the many seated fires are fatal to important animals and advice and local signs, and be prepared for plants and devasting to the landscape. local shows that’ll you’ll find in the area L Coach House Bistro, Eggleston Hall the unexpected. Following severe wild fires, our unique during the summer Leave gates and property as you moorlands can be left months? page 28 Environmental find them black, scarred, prone to Performance Please respect the working life of the erosion and devoid of countryside, as our actions can affect wildlife for decades. To enter the GTBS award holders need people's livelihoods, our heritage, and the • Never light fires to demonstrate that they are: safety and welfare of animals and ourselves. on moorland - L Alston minimising their impact on the Protect plants and animals, and take not even gas stoves or barbecues Support businesses environment; communicating their your litter home • During periods of high fire risk that support the green credentials to their customers; We have a responsibility to protect our respect all warning signs environment and having a positive impact on their countryside now and for future generations, surroundings. To do this they implement so make sure you don't harm animals, birds, Controlled burning Increasingly tourism businesses in and plants, or trees. practical measures covering business Carefully planned small-scale heather around the North Pennines AONB, from Keep dogs under close control burning by trained gamekeepers, farmers management, communication, energy B&Bs and self-catering cottages The countryside is a great and shepherds is used to encourage fresh efficiency, water savings, waste shoots of heather where it has grown old. to conference venues and place to exercise dogs, but minimisation, green purchasing, it's every owner's duty to This light, surface burning ensures food for visitor attractions, hold awards transport, and wildlife conservation. make sure their dog is not red grouse and sheep and creates the in the nationally recognised a danger or nuisance to diversity of habitats that moorland birds Green Tourism Business Scheme farm animals, wildlife or rely on. Between 1 October and 15 April Find out more (GTBS). Throughout this guide you’ll other people. controlled burning takes place - so be www.green-business.co.uk aware of this. Please report any fires seen find businesses with a GTBS award by Consider other people on moorland outside these dates to the fire www.northpennines.org.uk (Green Showing consideration and respect for other looking out for the logo. Tourism in Exploring) service immediately, and if possible, the people makes the countryside a pleasant nearest dwelling.

10 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 11 By bus Give your car a break! There's a reasonable level of service to many parts of the North Pennines. Walking, cycling and horse riding are some of the best ways to discover the For more information: splendour of the North Pennines landscape. The AONB Partnership and other • Traveline Northeast and Cumbria www.travelinenortheast.info l 0871 2002233 (7am - organisations have produced a wide variety of self-guided walking and cycling 9pm, 7 days a week). Calls cost 10p per min from BT landlines. Call costs from mobiles may vary guides to help you find your way about. • National Express www.nationalexpress.com l 08705 808080 • Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland County Council websites Consider using public transport to travel to your start point - or try exploring near to www.cumbria.gov.uk l www.durham.gov.uk l www.northumberland.gov.uk where you are staying. By bike Why not stay overnight rather than making day visits? This will Bring your own or hire one once you're here. pages 59-62 reduce your travel (and carbon footprint). pages 8 and 9 On foot If you do drive, please SLOW down! Sheep (and birds) can be a Contact the nearest Tourist Information Centre pages 69-71 to where you are staying hazard on the area’s moorland roads. Driving more slowly and for information on local walk routes. pages 54-58 smoothly will also help reduce your fuel consumption. Consider offsetting your carbon emissions Getting around Minimising the use of fossil fuels is the most important solution to global warming. However, it is not possible to eliminate all carbon emissions, so the next best thing is Even if you don't arrive in the North Pennines on public transport - why not consider to ‘offset’. Some of the ways in which this can be achieved are forest restoration and giving your car a break for a day or two whilst you're here? Hire a bike, take a bus or investment in energy efficiency projects. simply go for a walk! The North Pennines AONB Partnership is contributing to ensuring that carbon remains North Pennines Public Transport Guide ‘locked-up’ in the area’s peatlands by initiating projects to block drains on the moors. This Get hold of this leaflet (includes map and timetables) which describes the helps by keeping the peatlands wet and thus stopping the breakdown of peat and the public transport available in the North Pennines. Send an email to release of carbon. When you visit Killhope Museum this year you’ll have the opportunity [email protected] or call 01388 528801 or pick up your copy to offset your journey by contributing to a Peatscapes carbon conservation project. from a Tourist Information Centre in the area. pages 69-71 By train Reduce, reuse, recycle! Nearest railway stations to the North Pennines: Help the environment by refusing packaging and bags that • Durham and Darlington on the East Coast main line you don't need and by using recycling banks in the area. If • Bishop Auckland on branch line from Darlington you can recycle glass, cans, paper and plastics where you are • Brampton, Hexham, Haydon Bridge and Haltwhistle on the Newcastle staying then even better! to Carlisle line Switch off • Kirkby Stephen, Appleby, Langwathby and Carlisle on the Settle to Carlisle line Whilst you are relaxing and getting away • Penrith on the West Coast main line from it all in the North Pennines, please switch off lights and standby buttons Find out more when you don't need them. Help reduce water consumption National Rail Enquiries l 08457 48 49 50 l www.nationalrail.co.uk by just using the water that you need.

12 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 13 Wildlife of the North Pennines Nature watching Nature watching Moorlands

© Val Wilson © Laurie Campbell

The North Pennines is a fantastic place to experience the natural world. If you The moorland landscapes of the North Pennines are some of England's wildest hanker after the countryside of yesteryear and the opportunity to see a places. They are home to some of our rarest wildlife and have an unspoilt profusion of wildlife that is all but a memory for much of the rest of England sense of naturalness and remoteness found in few other places in the country. then a visit to the AONB should be very high up your list of things to do! The moorland expanses found in the Peaty facts: © North Pennines are now open access N

Special plants a

t • When peat forms it locks in carbon u Pages 57 and 58

r areas. a l

The concentration of rare plants in E contained in the plant matter – n g l a The moorland habitats include 36% of healthy, wet, peatlands are an Upper Teesdale is unique to the UK. The n d / C England's upland heathland. Dry heath

h important store of carbon and hence

Teesdale violet, spring gentian (top left) a r l i e (14% of the AONB), is dominated by are important in mitigating against and Teesdale sandwort can all be found H e

d heather and bell heather. Wet heath, l climate change e in grasslands on the Moor House-Upper y characterised by cross-leaved heath Teesdale National Nature Reserve. • There is as much carbon stored in and/or purple moor grass, occurs in peatlands in the UK as there is

© waterlogged valleys, and in association

N contained in all the forests of the UK, a t

u with blanket bog.

r France and Germany combined! a © l E L n a g u

l Moor House-Upper Teesdale r a L i n e d C / B a a m

r Peatscapes r B3 p

y Moor House-Upper Teesdale NNR b S e t l l a Peatscapes is a collaborative project that c

e This is one of England’s largest National y Nature Reserves. It is particularly well known aims to conserve and enhance the for the plants that originally colonised the internationally important peatlands North Pennines after the last Ice Age. The within the North Pennines. Reserve encompasses an almost complete L Sphagnum moss range of upland habitats typical of the North www.northpennines.org.uk (Special Projects) Wonderful woods Pennines, from hay meadows, rough grazing Blanket bog Request leaflets on our peatlands: The upland oak and ash woodlands in and juniper woods to limestone grassland, 21% of the AONB is covered by wild pages 67 & 68 l www.northpennines.org.uk blanket bog and the high fells. (pdf files available to download) the North Pennines support a range of expanses of blanket bog. A typical tract www.naturalengland.org.uk l 01833 622374 of blanket bog in the North Pennines plants, including bluebells, wild garlic © L a

contains heather, cross-leaved heath, u

and wood sorrel. r i B3 e Geltsdale RSPB Nature Reserve hair's-tail cottongrass, bilberry, common C a m p

From remote and windswept blanket bog to cottongrass, cloudberry, deergrass, b e l

Red squirrels l flower-filled hay meadows, Geltsdale RSPB crowberry and bog asphodel, as well as Conifer plantations in the North Pennines reserve is a fantastic place for upland birds many species of peat-building are one of the last refuges for the red and wildlife. Visit the information point at sphagnum moss. Stagsike Cottages and during the breeding squirrel in England. One of the best Unenclosed moorlands of the North season you’ll find CCTV trained on nesting places to see and find out about red birds, such as barn owls and hen harriers. Pennines are also important for a variety squirrels is at Killhope, the North of There are also three trails (3-8km) to follow. of birds including red and black grouse, England Lead Mining Museum B2 . www.rspb.org l 0191 2334300 l hen harrier, merlin, short-eared owl, page 51 [email protected] curlew, golden plover, dunlin and twite. L Common sundew

14 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 15 Nature watching Birds L Golden plover

The North Pennines is a wonderful place to watch birds. The rich mix of © Black grouse L a u r i habitats, wildlife and stunning landscapes in the AONB is unique in England. e

Watching lekking black grouse in the early morning C a m

The thrilling swoop and cry of the lapwing during its breeding display and the p

and listening to their distinctive bubbling song is a b e l ethereal bubbling song of the curlew are just two of the wonders to be found. wildlife watching experience that will stay with you l forever. However, black grouse are vulnerable to B r i a disturbance and so it is crucial that you take steps n I r

v Birdwatchers Code i

n to avoid harming these fantastic birds: g © of Conduct H e l

m • Avoid looking for black grouse after heavy Don't start the engine until after lekking

I • The welfare of the birds must come m has wound down, usually about two

a snowfalls, when birds are under stress. g

e first. Disturbance to birds and their s • View leks from a vehicle. Black grouse pay hours after dawn. Alternatively, consider habitats should be kept to a minimum little attention to stationary vehicles that watching a lek in the evening. • Keep to paths and tracks, especially are at least 100 metres away. Ensure that • Keep to footpaths, especially in June L Curlew during the bird breeding season you do not block access and that your and July, when there may be nesting presence will not disturb nearby residents. females and young birds present. Do not (March-August) Birdwatching in the Avoid approaching a lek on foot, which go looking for black grouse in heather North Pennines • Avoid disturbing birds or keeping usually disturbs the birds. or thick field vegetation, especially in them away from their nests for even • Arrive before daybreak. A vehicle woodland (birds may fly into fences, This great full colour book highlighting short periods especially in wet or cold stopping once it is light can disturb the with lethal consequences, if flushed). the fantastic birdwatching opportunities weather birds. Stay in your vehicle and watch • Do not bring dogs when you're in the area is available from the AONB quietly through binoculars and telescopes. watching grouse. • Do not try to find nests. All birds, Staff Unit pages 67 & 68 , Tourist nests, eggs and young are protected www.blackgrouse.info l www.rspb.org.uk/advice/watchingbirds Information Centres pages 69-71 and by law and it is illegal to harm them other outlets in and around the North Pennines. A free guide to identifying • Keep dogs on a short lead Guided birdwatching in the North Pennines birds that you’ll typically see in the • Leave gates and property as you find • Real Birder Tours • Moor House–Upper Teesdale National North Pennines is also available. them Join experienced local guide Nick Mason Nature Reserve – Natural England run to enjoy special birds, including black a programme of events and activities, The guide describes the characteristic • Take your litter home with you grouse, short-eared owl, ring ouzel, snipe including black grouse watching, based

birds and habitats © and redshank. Half and full day trips to on this huge upland nature reserve. L a

of the AONB and u suit individuals and small groups. Transport r www.naturalengland.org.uk l 01833 622374 i e

C available with door to door service, group a includes a series B m r i a p

prices from £60 per half day. n b e of 17 birdwalks I r l v l i

www.realbirder.co.uk l 07857 200144 l n and sites – spread g [email protected] © H e

across the North l • The Northern Kites Project runs a m I m

Pennines. a

variety of Red Kite Days and Red Kite g e Rambles in Teesdale, throughout the year. s www.northernkites.org.uk l 0191 4961555 L Lapwing L Red grouse

16 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 17 Nature watching Hay time L Great burnet in a hay meadow at Carrs Farm, near Wolsingham

Species-rich upland hay meadows are one of the rarest grassland habitats in Sensual! Hay Time Walks the country. Rich in wildlife and steeped in cultural tradition, the North A walk through a flowering hay The AONB Partnership has produced a Pennines holds some of the best meadows in the UK. Only 1,000ha of upland meadow is a rich experience for your series of three glorious walks from: hay meadow are thought to remain in the UK and 400ha (or 40%) of this is senses. Delicate and differently shaped Allendale C1 ; Ireshopeburn C2 ; within the AONB. flowers bloom in many colours: from and Hury Reservoir, the deep reds of great burnet and Baldersdale C4 . These in turn attract insect-eating birds common sorrel, through the yellows of like swallows and house martins. Even The 5km (two hour) strolls meadow buttercup and meadow at night the meadows supply important will introduce you to some vetchling, to the pinks of red clover and insect food for bats. The meadows also of the best hay meadows in wood crane's-bill. On a warm day the provide important feeding sites for the North Pennines. scent of some of these flowers can be yellow wagtail, twite, grey partridge, intoxicating. Add to this the chatter of Available direct from the black grouse and curlew. swallows overhead and the sound of AONB Partnership (pages 67 & 68) or from Tourist the wind gently rustling the long grass Information Centres (pages A living link to the past and you have a feast for the senses! 69-71) or as pdf downloads from Hay meadows are thought to have www.northpennines.org.uk (About evolved from woodland clearings that Quality food Us/Publications) Neolithic people began to enlarge by The hay made in our meadows is an cutting down trees. Over time these important source of winter food for the clearings grew and farmers began to cattle and sheep kept in the North harvest the long grass to feed livestock. Bursting with life Pennines. Many farmers regard their hay This tradition has continued until the Hay meadows are an important habitat as their highest quality fodder and present day and in some cases the same for wildlife. Even though they often may believe that their animals are healthier plot of land may have been harvested look like just another green field, a when they are fed on it. This may be for its hay for almost 6,000 years! closer investigation will reveal a large because some of the flowering plants number of different plant species. dried in the hay have beneficial The very best meadows contain over 30 medicinal properties. species of flowering plants and grasses per square metre, with up to 120 species Hay Time North per field. The special flowers of North Pennines Pennines meadows include wood crane's- In light of the importance of the North bill, globeflower and great burnet. Pennines for upland hay meadows and The richness of flowering plants means the threatened status of the habitat, the an abundant supply of nectar which AONB Partnership launched the Hay L Hay meadow near Ireshopeburn, Weardale attracts bees and other invertebrates. Time project in May 2006. L Hay time in years gone by – a loaded (Hay Time Walk 2) www.northpennines.org.uk (Special Projects) ‘pike bogey’ Image courtesy of Parkin Raine Collection

18 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 19 Moor rocks Geology and landscape L Roman Fell and Swindale Edge Rocks are the building blocks of the breathtaking North Pennines landscape. The lead legacy The Lead Mining Landscapes of the Across the area, the rocks and landscapes have stories to tell, of moving North Pennines AONB, full colour, 98- continents and tropical seas, of molten rock and ice sheets and of minerals and Everywhere you look in the North page, richly illustrated book gives an Pennines you’ll see features which hark the folk who mined them. excellent overview of the huge impact back to the once huge lead mining that lead mining has Global significance Northern Rocks… industry that dominated people’s lives had on the landscapes and the landscape. There are obvious of the North Pennines. As well as being an AONB the North … the North Pennines Festival remains at mine sites - washing floors Find your copy in Pennines also has the accolade of being of Geology and Landscape and spoil heaps as well as smelt mills Tourist Information Britain’s first European Geopark. It’s a Between 24 May and 8 June people will and their chimneys, but as you explore Centres (see pages founding member of the UNESCO be flocking to the annual Northern you’ll also discover that the industry had 69-71) and other Global Geoparks Network too! This Rocks Festival. a much wider influence. local outlets. recognises the worldwide significance of the geology found here. Geoparks are page 30 l www.northpennines.org.uk places with outstanding Earth heritage Find out more: Stanhope Fossil Tree where special effort is made to look • Killhope, the North of England Imagine standing in a steaming, tropical after geological features and make them Lead Mining Museum B2 rainforest, amidst the leaves of giant come alive! page 51 l www.killhope.org.uk l 01388 537505 ferns and horsetails. You are in www.northpennines.org.uk Stanhope - 320 million years ago! The www.europeangeoparks.org • Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre B2 Stanhope fossil tree grew in this forest www.unesco.org page 51 l www.npht.com/nentheadmines and like all fossils it www.globalgeopark.org l 01434 382726/382037 tells a fascinating • Weardale Museum and High House story of ancient life in Year of Planet Earth Geology and Chapel C2 the distant past. The Landscape study page 52 l www.weardalemuseum.co.uk l AONB Partnership 2008 is the International Year of Planet 01388 517433 Earth, as declared by the United Nations. programme has produced a • Bowlees Visitor Centre C3 This year of events and activities has the Local geologist Brian Young will be leaflet which brings page 48 l www.durhamwt.co.uk l the story of the slogan ‘Earth sciences for Society’ and leading a series of evening talks and field 01833 622292 aims to promote understanding of Earth visits on behalf of the North Pennines fossil tree to life. science and sustainable use of Earth AONB Partnership in 2008. Running over materials. The European Geopark eight weeks in the autumn, the course Network is a partner in this International will explore the geology and landscape Year and our 2008 Northern Rocks of the North Pennines. Discover the fossil tree in front of St. Festival is the North Pennines’ North Pennines AONB Partnership Thomas’ Church, Stanhope Market Place. contribution to the celebrations. 01388 528801 l Pick up a copy from the Durham Dales [email protected] www.yearofplanetearth.org Centre, Stanhope, turn to pages 67 & 68 or L Bowlees Visitor Centre visit www.northpennines.org.uk

20 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 21 Follow the Teesdale Feel the Force Frosterley Marble Explore a while! Time Trail The waterfall High Force in Upper Imagine a shallow tropical sea, alive The story of the interaction between the It’s difficult to comprehend the vastness Teesdale C3 is one of the most impressive with bright corals and shellfish. This isn’t North Pennines’ geology and landscape of geological time. Many of the geological features in England. The River the Bahamas but the North Pennines – will keep you busy for several days! processes which have shaped Teesdale Tees has been plunging into this gorge for 325 million years ago! Frosterley Marble pages 8 & 9 have been going on for almost thousands of years but the rocks it reveals formed in this sea. inconceivable lengths of time. Follow are much more ancient – with origins Day one; follow the Teesdale Time Trail to The new Frosterley Marble the Time Trail and you’ll discover how dating back over 300 million years! uncover the landscape’s story. Walk the leaflet, produced by the molten rock, topical seas, continental Cow Green Geological Trail B3 , visit the page 50 AONB Partnership, tells movements and the power of glaciers human sundial at High Force C3 and ©

T the fascinating story of

e discover the informative exhibition at and water have all played their part in e s d

a this unique rock – how C3 l Bowlees . the creation of today’s Teesdale. e M

a it formed, why its been r k e

t On day two head over to the Weardale

The Time Trail includes displays, i n prized for centuries g sculptures or panels at: Holwick, and where you can Museum C2 to discover the stories behind Bowlees Visitor Centre, High Force and see it today. the lead-miner/farmer families. Then Hanging Shaw; and three geological explore Killhope Museum B2 to see what trails (Cow Green, Holwick Scar and Pages 67-68 to request a copy, download a life was like for lead miners staying in a Wynch Bridge and Tynehead). pdf file from www.northpennines.org.uk or ‘mine shop’, as well as taking a mine visit the Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope L High Force tour and possibly seeing red squirrels! pages 67-68 to request copies of the leaflets or download pdf files from Day three could see you at Nenthead www.northpennines.org.uk Turn Your Wheels to Mines Heritage Centre B2 exploring one of the largest Victorian mining and ©

K the Wild! G smelting sites in England and peering i b s

o Discover the spectacular geology and n down the 328 foot deep Brewery Shaft!

landscape of the North Pennines on this © N P A

three day (122km) cycle touring route. P / E l i z a b

page 62 e t h P i c k e t t

L Frosterley marble sculpture at L Sculpture at Hanging Shaw the Durham Dales Centre L Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre

22 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 23 Discover the past An inspirational place Historic environment Art and the landscape The human story in the North Pennines began approximately 9,000 years ago, leaving a landscape full of archaeological interest. The landscapes of the North Pennines have a rich association with people –

© past, present and future – as well as works of art, poetry and great literature. N P A

Historic buildings P / E l i z a

and settlement b e t

h Inspirational P i

The settlement pattern in the North c k

e Visit the North Pennines and you’ll be t Pennines is basically an agricultural one, t following in the footsteps of some of overlain by the industrial activities and the country’s finest artists and writers. mineral workers settlements developed WH Auden, one of the central figures of mainly over the last 250 years. The 20th Century poetry, loved the lead Artists and local pattern of rural building existing today L Rookhope Arch mining landscapes of the area. The poet varies from the scattered farmsteads of crafts today The many historic chapels of the area Phillip Larkin was a frequent visitor to the Strathmore and Raby Estates in Art isn’t only in the past in the North are also a legacy of the population the Tar Bar’ls Ceremony in Allendale Teesdale to the more dense lead mining Pennines. There is a wealth of quality expansion associated with lead mining. Town pages 46 & 47 . Dickens also and subsistence smallholdings of the painters, and craft workers – pottery, With this increase in population explored Teesdale in the 1840s whilst Nent and Allen Valleys and Weardale. textiles, candles, metal work, jewellery settlements and smallholdings were researching Nicholas Nickleby. to name a few – in and around the established by miners, who as part-time The legacy of lead JMW Turner was inspired by the North North Pennines. farmers, extended agriculture to the top The remains of past human activity Pennines landscape, producing some of his of the dales. range from prehistoric stone tools and best works in Upper Teesdale. He painted • Made in Teesdale www.madeinteesdale.co.uk medieval charcoal pits to the smelt mills several scenes around Bowes before • Alston Craftworkers and flue systems of the post medieval travelling to Cotherstone and Middleton- www.alstoncraftworkers.co.uk lead industry. Lead mining dominated in-Teesdale. Following the route of the • Eden Arts the economic life of the area from the Pennine Way he made his way across the www.edenarts.co.uk 17th century until its decline at the end moors to Dufton, via High Cup Nick. On • The Allen Valleys community of the 19th century. There are few his way he immortalised many North website has a section called places in the North Pennines where you Pennines scenes – not least High Force ‘creative industries’ are not within sight of evidence for this waterfall (top left) . www.allenvalleys.co.uk industry. Mines, smelt mills, railways, spoil heaps and hushes are the most L Walled mine shaft obvious legacy. Do you like a story? If the answer is yes, then head for the 2008 North Pennines Storytelling Festival Find out more (provisionally 17, 18 and 19 October). Visit Allenheads pages 46 & 47 , Killhope - the North of England Lead Mining www.npenninestorytelling.org.uk l page 51 page 51 Museum , Nenthead Heritage Centre , Weardale Museum & 0845 3454463 l 01229 861325 High House Chapel page 52 and Middleton-in-Teesdale pages 38 & 39

24 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 25 Buy local and help the North Pennines

Buying locally produced food or crafts is a great way to help the North Pennines prosper. By shopping in the area during your stay you are directly Farmers’ markets contributing to the viability of local economies and communities, as well as Whilst on holiday in the North Pennines why not go along to one of our farmers’ reducing the distances over which food and other goods are transported. markets and sample some tasty local fare? Meet local farmers, growers and producers and discover the products which they themselves have grown, reared, caught, There’s lots of local products and produce to choose from…moorland lamb, speciality brewed, pickled, baked, smoked or processed! sausages, dry cured bacon, candles, mustard, game, cheeses, organic soups, jams, jellies, © F r chutneys, speciality breads, bespoke furniture, chopping boards…and much, much more! e Barnard Castle d e r i c

1st Sat every month (10am-3pm) k W i l

On the cobbles, Market Place, s o Market days Barnard Castle D4 n The following towns have local markets: t: 01833 631870 e: [email protected] Monday: Kirkby Stephen, Stanhope w: www.teesdalefarmersmarkets.co.uk (April - October) FARMA Certified (www.farmersmarkets.net) Vegetarian Society’s “Best Farmers’ Market for Vegetarians L Penrith Farmers’ Market Tuesday: Hexham, Penrith Award” 2007 Hexham Wednesday: Barnard Castle, Brampton Stanhope 2nd and 4th Sat every month (9am-1.30pm) Thursday: Haltwhistle 4th Sat every month (10am-3pm) Market Place, Hexham C1 Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope C2 t: 07963 426932 Blanchland Village Shop and Post Office L Saturday: Appleby t: Alex McCoy or Tom Carver on 01388 e: [email protected] 765555 w: www.hexhamfarmersmarket.co.uk e: [email protected] FARMA Certified (www.farmersmarkets.net) Useful websites Weardale Quality Meat FARMA Certified (www.farmersmarkets.net) Penrith 3rd Tues every month (9.30am-2pm) www.made-in-northumberland.co.uk Brampton Weardale Quality Meat is a collaboration Market Square, Penrith A3 Last Sat every month (9.30am-1.30pm) www.northumbria-larder.co.uk of communities and businesses, which t: Eden District Council, 01768 212147 In front of the Moot Hall, Brampton A1 aims to give farmers a fair price, e: [email protected] www.madeincumbria.co.uk t: Made in Cumbria, 01539 732736 while offering customers the w: www.eden.gov.uk www.teesdalefarmersmarkets.co.uk e: offi[email protected] FARMA Certified (www.farmersmarkets.net) opportunity to buy great value, w: www.madeincumbria.co.uk www.madeinteesdale.co.uk Greenhead local meat. The scheme offers a Brough 2nd Sun every month (10am-2pm) range of excellent Swaledale 3rd Sat every month (9.30am-1pm, Jan- B1 X Greenhead Village Hall, Greenhead E L

B March; 9.30am-2pm, April-Dec

E lamb and native breed beef for t: 016977 47448

© Inside Brough Memorial Hall, Brough B4 sale, by order direct, or e: [email protected] t: Dave Williams, 01768 342135 through the Bradley Burn Farm e: [email protected] Shop & Cafe near Wolsingham, w: http://freespace.virgin.net/brough.farmersmarket Weardale. D2 FARMA Certified (www.farmersmarkets.net) www.bradleyburn.co.uk, FREE hourly bus service from King’s Head, Ravenstonedale to Brough via Kirkby Stephen 01388 527280, 10am-5pm (and return) until Sep 08 daily, except Tuesdays.

L Middleton Farmers’ Market

26 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 27 Out and about in the North Pennines Events and activities L Middleton-in-Teesdale Carnival There is a huge variety of events, festivals and activities on offer in the North Other events in the North Pennines Pennines. From May Day celebrations, village fairs and carnivals to walking festivals, leek shows and horse fairs – there’s plenty to suit all tastes. The best way As well as events organised by the AONB Partnership – see page 30 for details on the to find out about them is to contact Tourist Information Centres. page 69-71 Northern Rocks Festival and pages 31-35 for information on the 2008 North Pennines Many of the websites on page 71 also include events listings. AONB Events Programme - there are other organisations also running events and activities exploring the stunning landscape, wildlife and history of the North Pennines, including: Show time! Agricultural shows and other fairs are an excellent day out for the whole family, as • BTCV run week-long and weekend conservation • Moor House–Upper Teesdale National Nature holidays throughout the North Pennines. Reserve. Natural England run a programme of events well as being an opportunity to find out more about the rural way of life in the North www.btcv.org l t: 01388 529022 (Stanhope) or and activities. Pennines. You’ll find stalls selling local produce and crafts; rural skills demonstrations; 01434 618388 (Allendale) www.naturalengland.org.uk l t: 01833 622374 animals from sheep, cattle and poultry to goats, guinea pigs and ducks; as well as • Durham County Council’s Countryside Group. • Natural History Society of Northumbria run a series programmes of events from sheep dog trials to pony fancy dress! Request a copy of their programme of guided walks of field meetings, some in the North Pennines. and countryside activities www.nhsn.ncl.ac.uk l t: 0191 2326386 l www.durham.gov.uk l t: 0191 3834144 l e: [email protected] 26 May Northumberland County Show D1 e: [email protected]) • Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre. 6-9 June Appleby Horse Fair* B3 • East Cumbria Countryside Project. Series of walks www.npht.com l t: 01434 382037/382726 5 July Alston Gala B2 and events. • Slackhouse Farm, Ireshopeburn (Weardale) run a 26 July Penrith Agricultural Show A3 www.eccp.org.uk l t: 01228 561601 series of felt making and other rural skills courses. 2 Aug Middleton-in-Teesdale Carnival C3 • Flora of the Fells Festival. This festival runs between www.fleecewithaltitude.co.uk l t: 01388 537292 l March and October 2008 with over 120 events across e: slackhousefarm@fleecewithaltitude.co.uk 9 Aug Slaley Show C1 Cumbria. • Teesdale Events Guide. Get hold of a copy of this 14 Aug Appleby Agricultural Show B3 www.floraofthefells.com l t: 01539 733187 comprehensive guide to what’s on in Teesdale – 16 Aug Allendale Show C1 • Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining contact Barnard Castle Tourist Information Centre: 21 Aug Brough Agricultural Show B4 Museum. Find out what’s going on at this award www.visitteesdale.com l t: 01833 690909 l winning museum in Upper Weardale e: [email protected] 25 Aug Blanchland and Hunstanworth Show C2 www.killhope.org.uk l t: 01388 537505. • Upper Teesdale Botany Group runs occasional B2 25 Aug Garrigill Gala • North Pennines Storytelling Festival. Provisional specialist plant identification workshops. 30 Aug Dufton Agricultural Show B3 dates 17, 18 and 19 October. Contact Dr Margaret Bradshaw 30 Aug Weardale Agricultural Show (St John’s Chapel) C2 www.npenninestorytelling.org.uk l e: [email protected] t: 0845 3454463/01229 861325 6 Sep Alston Agricultural Show B2 • YHA – Youth Hostels in the area (Alston, Dufton, • The Northern Kites Project runs a series of Red Kite Edmundbyers, Kirkby Stephen, Langdon Beck and 6-8 Sep Wolsingham and Wear Valley Agricultural Show D2 Days and Red Kite Rambles in Teesdale Ninebanks) offer ‘Special Interest Breaks’ 7 Sep Whitfield Show B1 www.northernkites.org.uk l t: 0191 4961555 www.yha.org.uk p 13 Sep Bowes Agricultural Show C4 • Haltwhistle Partnership are running two Walking i h s r

Festivals in 2008 (26 April-5 May and 11-19 October). e C2 n 13-14 Sep Stanhope Agricultural Show t r

t: a

www.haltwhistle.org l 01434 321242 l P e

20 Sep Eggleston Agricultural Show D3 l t

e: [email protected] s i h

27 Sep Langdon Beck Show C3 w t • Harehope Quarry. l a * The Horse Fair is a traditional gypsy gathering and NOT an organised event. www.harehopequarry.org l H © People attend at their own risk. t: 01388 528633/528599 L Haltwhistle Walking Festival Find out more about these shows and fairs from Tourist Information Centres pages 69-71

28 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 29 Northern Rocks 2008... North Pennines AONB The North Pennines Events Programme 2008 Festival of Geology Explore the North Pennines in the company of expert guides and uncover the and Landscape area’s special qualities. Find out about the birds, peatlands, hay meadows, woodlands, landscape history, mines and moors, rocks, minerals and mineshops!

Northern Rocks 2008, running between 24 May and 8 June, is the fifth annual festival of North Pennine geology and landscape. The two weeks are full of How to book www.traveline.org.uk. See pages 10-13 for more information on being a ‘green over 30 events and activities to help you discover the geological secrets of the Pre-booking is essential for many events. visitor’. North Pennines. Look out for the symbol. Telephone the AONB Partnership Staff Unit for Join a themed walk and see the North Pennines through fresh eyes; sign up for a Guided walks more information and to make bookings geological short break; ‘touch the rock’ with a qualified climbing instructor; explore The walks in the programme have been (unless otherwise stated): old lead mines with expert guides; have a go at underground photography and try graded: your hand at felt making! • AONB Partnership Staff Unit – • Easy – suitable for most people. Tel: 01388 528801 (Mon to Fri Easy, comfortable walking, may be With tantalising event names like Element-ary My Dear during normal office hours, answer some stiles Watson, Lead Pipes, Brass Knobs and Toothpaste, Make phone at other times) Your Own Fossil, Killhope Rocks, On Top of the World, • Moderate – typically a country walk • Events with a charge are either ‘pay Fossil Foray and All that Glitters is not Gold there is a with some hills, stiles and muddy on the day’ or ‘pay in advance’. wide variety of events for all ages. paths. Boots advisable When you book through the Staff • Hard – hill walks with steep, Unit we will advise you on payment strenuous climbs. Rough moorland. European Geoparks Week details. Unless otherwise stated Boots essential The Northern Rocks Festival is part of European Geoparks Week, an annual summer events are booked and paid for celebration aimed at promoting the geology and landscapes of the 32 UNESCO through the Staff Unit Events for European Geoparks. European Geoparks are regions with outstanding geological • Once you’ve booked, please refer to families/age guide heritage where this is being used to support sustainable development. European the listing for event start times and Events specifically designed for children Geoparks are part of a wider network of UNESCO Global Geoparks. locations. We will not send out are marked with the symbol. You confirmation letters www.europeangeoparks.org l www.worldgeopark.org will find further information on ages • If you haven’t booked for an that specific events are aimed at (in Find out more ‘Advance booking only’ event please relation to content) in the ‘Age’ section. don’t turn up on the day The symbol is used for events that Get hold of a Northern Rocks 2008 programme by: are considered too strenuous for under • Visiting a Tourist Information Centre in the area pages 69-71 Public transport 16s – principally longer hill walks. If in • www.northpennines.org.uk and download a pdf file of the programme Some of the events in the programme doubt please ring the North Pennines • Contact the AONB Partnership Staff Unit t: 01388 528801 l are accessible by public transport. Call AONB Partnership Staff Unit on 01388 [email protected] Traveline on 0871 2002233 or visit 528801 for further advice.

30 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 31 North Pennines AONB – Events 2008 Events listing...

Fri 20 June 10am-4pm Guided walk Rockwalk Puppet show Archaeology Walk Art/craft activity Exhibition Make a Silk Paper Meadow! Holiday/residential Advance bookings only Suitable for children Adults only Sorry, no dogs Lapwing Crafts & North Pennines AONB Partnership Bring a packed lunch Important information Wear suitable clothing Strong footwear essential A hay meadow in bloom is full of colour and life. Taking a nearby meadow as inspiration, join local May June textile artist Caroline Mann and create your own meadow using silk © N

e fibres, yarns and synthetic materials.

Thurs 1 May 10am-6pm Sun 1 June 10.30am-3pm i l D i Across to the Nick Behind the Scenes on a m No previous experience is necessary. e n

Grouse Moor t This event has been supported North Pennines AONB Partnership through the North Pennines AONB Discover geology, landscape and North Pennines AONB Partnership & Yad Moss Estate Partnership’s Hay Time Project. wildlife between Cow Green Join the owner and gamekeeper of Start Ireshopeburn Village Reservoir and Dufton, via the Yad Moss Estate high in the South Institute NY866386 C4 . Small hall in spectacular High Cup Nick. Enjoy Tyne Valley on a great fun day out Ireshopeburn next to telephone box this fantastic, linear, high-level learning more about the on minor road where A689 bends expedition. Includes minibus management of grouse moors and sharply. transport from Dufton to start of seeing the fantastic wildlife the Cost £15 per person – payable in walk at Cow Green. Sun 22 – Tues 24 June landscape supports. The event advance. In addition please bring £7 Fri 20 - Sun 22 June Start Dufton village car park includes a wonderful picnic lunch. per person for materials on the day Reading the Landscape – Part 1 Reading the Landscape – Part 2 NY690250 B3 Start Car park just off the B6277 Age 5 years+. All children must be Ninebanks Youth Hostel & Dr Stu Clarke Ninebanks Youth Hostel & Dr Stu Clarke Distance/duration/grade 11 miles – Keele University – Keele University (Alston to Middleton-in-Teesdale), Sat 14 – Sun 15 June accompanied by an adult (17km)/8hrs (inc. travel)/Hard Tropical seas to freezing ice – Part 1! Building on Part 1, this course 5km SE of Garrigill NY777362 B2 10.30am-4pm Cost £6 (inc. travel). Pay in advance Join an expert geologist for a explores the links between geology, Distance/duration/grade 5 miles Hay Time History Weekend Short visit to a nearby hay weekend residential break to find landscape and people in the North (8km)/4.5hrs/Hard North Pennines AONB Partnership & Beamish – meadow (car sharing; no walking). out how to read and interpret the Pennines. Suitable for anyone, but Cost FREE the North of England Open Air Museum content is especially aimed at those Once started the full walk must The annual cycle of hay making has An iron will be used during the silk landscape of the North Pennines who have attended Part 1, or have a be completed – there is no short cut! shaped not only the landscape of paper-making process. Please bring AONB and European Geopark – a basic understanding of geology. Full hill walking kit required the North Pennines but the lives of needles & sharp scissors and any story millions of years in the making! Dogs are allowed but they Venue Venue Ninebanks Youth Hostel those who have lived and work fabrics or other materials you would Ninebanks Youth Hostel MUST be on leads at all times like to use. Tea and coffee provided NY771514 B2 NY771514 B2 Sun 18 May 2pm-4pm here. With experts on hand, this Cost Cost £105 per adult (£160 for full weekend event will be packed with £105 per adult (£160 for full It Rocks! package inc. Part 1: 20-22 June). activities to help celebrate and learn package inc. Part 2: 22-24 June). Student discount rate £80 (£150 for North Pennines AONB Partnership about the history of hay making in Student discount rate £80 (£150 for full package) Enjoy an original puppet and the North Pennines: Displays & oral full package) Age Age Adults and older children animation show and short walk (half histories; Hay time tools & ‘farm Adults and older children a mile there and back) based on the artefacts/tools roadshow’; Children’s Contact YHA Ninebanks to Contact YHA Ninebanks to area’s rocks and landscape, followed activities and competitions. Why not book on 01434 345288 or book on 01434 345288 or by a puppet-making workshop. come along and share your memories [email protected] [email protected] Venue Bowlees Visitor Centre or learn about your ancestors! NY907283 C3 Venue St John’s Chapel Town Hall Cost £5 per family (up to 5 people £1 NY885379 C2 for each extra person) Full outdoor clothing, Full outdoor clothing, Cost FREE waterproofs, walking boots and waterproofs, walking boots and No need to book – just turn up! reasonable fitness required reasonable fitness required Dress to get messy Refreshments will be available

© Moorland Association

32 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 33 North Pennines AONB – Events 2008 North Pennines AONB – Events 2008

Sat 28 June 10.30am-2.30pm Sat 30th Aug 10am-5pm Sun 14 Sept 2pm-6pm October From Sphagnum to The Nine Standards Stone Slitt Wood: Globeflowers Cairns A Walk through Time Sun 5 Oct 10am-4pm North Pennines AONB Partnership North Pennines AONB Partnership North Pennines AONB Partnership Rocks and Landscape in & Natural England Join Nick Mason and Rebecca Barrett Join us for a great walk on the Fabrics and Fibres on a journey through blanket bogs southern edge of the North Join archaeologists Tom Gledhill Sun 29 June 2pm-4pm (Natural England) and Paul Lapwing Crafts & North Pennines AONB to hay meadows! Taking in open Pennines. Passing the spectacular Partnership Hannah’s Meadow Frodsham (AONB Partnership) for a moorland, blanket bog, pasture and Ewbank Scar and exploring geology Using the North Pennines landscape North Pennines AONB Partnership walk through Slitt Wood, discussing hay meadow, this walk will explore and landscape as we go, we’ll and its rocks, fossils and minerals as A two mile, easy walk taking in a geology and the archaeology of the some of the most important and ascend to the summit of Nine inspiration, join local textile artists beautiful, species rich upland local mining and quarrying characteristic habitats of the North Standards Rigg to admire the Caroline Mann and Cheryl Jackson meadow, calling in at Blackton industries. Truly a walk trough time, Pennines. Accompanied by the songs recently restored stone cairns of this for a creative day interpreting the Grange for a cuppa and returning we will cover several centuries of of larks and waders, join us and hear much-loved local landmark. landscape with felt, silk paper- via Balderhead Dam. archaeology and hundreds of about the practical work taking Start Kirkby Stephen Tourist making and the traditional craft of Start Car park at North end of millions of years of geology! place to conserve and restore our Information Centre NY775087 B4 hooky & proggy. Balderhead Reservoir Dam Start Westgate: lay-by beside A689. peatlands and meadows. Distance/duration/grade 8.5 miles Venue Ninebanks Youth Hostel NY928187 C4 NY906380 C2 Start Cow Green Reservoir car park (13.5km)/7hrs/Hard NY771514 B2 . Please car share if Distance/duration/grade 2 miles Distance/duration/grade 3-4 miles (5- NY811309 B3 Cost FREE possible and park considerately. Distance/duration/grade 5 miles (3km)/2hrs/Easy 6.5kms)/4hrs/Moderate Cost £15 (pay in advance) plus £7 for (8km)/4hrs/Hard Cost £1 per person for refreshment Cost FREE materials (pay on the day) Cost FREE Age 12 years + (pay on day) August Full hill walking kit required Age 5 years + (children must be accompanied by adult) Sat 9 Aug 2pm – 5pm Some short steep climbs Whitley Castle: A Walk September Sat 28 June 9.30am-5pm through Time No previous experience Across the Pennines: Greg’s July North Pennines AONB Partnership Sat 6 Sept 10am-3pm necessary. We will be using an iron Hut and Cross Fell Sun 13 July 10am-5pm & English Heritage How Deep is our Peat? and detergent. Please bring an old East Cumbria Countryside Project Join archaeologists Stewart towel (for felt-making), and if you Discover Scordale North Pennines AONB Partnership & RSPB High level linear walk visiting Cross Fell, Ainsworth (English Heritage/Time have any fabrics you’d like to use for Brian Young - Local Geologist Join the RSPB in a unique science Sun 28 Sept 10.30am-4pm the highest hill in the North Pennines, Team) and Paul Frodsham (AONB hooky & proggy please bring these A rare opportunity to visit this project to measure the amount of Rookhope – Famous the and Greg’s Hut, as we walk from Partnership) for a walk around the along, with needles, thread and beautiful valley on the Pennine carbon locked in the bogs of World Over! Blencarn to Garrigill. A fabulous walk remarkably well-preserved but little- sharp scissors if you have them. Tea escarpment. In the company of Geltsdale. High on the RSPB Brian Young – Local Geologist to discover the glorious landscape and known Roman fort of Whitley and coffee provided. geologist Brian Young find out Geltsdale Reserve, we will work Join geologist Brian Young on a rich heritage of the high Pennines. Castle. We will focus on the fort, about the underlying rocks and together to measure the depth of walk round Rookhope to discover Includes minibus transport from but will also discuss the minerals, explore old lead mines and peat across the landscape, using what the local rocks can tell us Garrigill to start of walk at Blencarn. development of the local historic discover some of the minerals that navigational and measurement about long-past times. See how the Start Garrigill, outside village pub landscape from the end of the Ice made this location world famous. equipment. rocks and minerals have been NY745415 B2 . Please park considerately Age through to the present day. Start Hilton Town Head , by start of Start Car park outside the Belted Will worked over the centuries and find Distance/duration/grade 12 miles Start Castle Nook Farm 2 miles NW Scordale track NY735208 B3 . Please Pub just off the A689 in out why Rookhope is so famous! (19km)/7.5hrs (inc. travel)/Hard of Alston NY695489 B2 Start car share if possible and park Hallbankgate village NY581559 A1 Rookhope Village Hall car Cost £6 (inc. transport) Distance/duration/grade 2-3 miles (3- NY937429 considerately Distance/duration/grade 5 miles park C2 5kms)/3hrs/Moderate. Distance/duration/grade 5.5 miles (8km)/5hrs/Hard Distance/duration/grade 6 miles Cost FREE (9km)/7hrs/Moderate Cost FREE (10km)/5.5hrs/Moderate Once started the full walk must Cost FREE be completed – there is no short Age 11 years + Dogs allowed but must be on a cut! Full hill walking kit required. Thanks to the MoD and Defence Dogs are allowed but they must Rough moorland walking in places. lead at all times Estates for permission to hold this walk be on leads at all times

34 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 35 D N A L T O C S Hexham Newcastle upon Tyne Carlisle Durham

Penrith Middlesbrough Darlington Kendal

York

0 246810 km

0246810 miles N

AONB boundary A road B road Minor road railway & station Tourist Information Centre Pennine Way Coast to Coast Cycle Route (C2C) YHA Youth Hostel Hadrian’s Wall

Please note that not all roads and settlements are included on this map ©Crown Copyright. all rights reserved. Durham County Council. LA100019779 2008

36 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 37 Area Guides Teesdale

Teesdale is perhaps the best known of the North Pennine dales. The sweep of the Places to visit, things to do: moors and crags of the upper dale have an unrivalled drama which many visitors • Teesdale Time Trail C3 B3 page 22 l www.northpennines.org.uk come back to savour time and time again. Raby Estate’s white farmhouses and • High Force C3 page 50 & Low Force waterfalls C3 barns are a distinctive and memorable element in the landscape of Upper Teesdale • Bowlees Visitor Centre C3 page 48 and the stunning spectacle that is England’s biggest waterfall – High Force – adds Displays on the area’s geology, wildlife & landscape a vibrant natural beauty to the mix. • Eggleston Hall Gardens C3 page 49 C3 L Bowlees Visitor Middleton-in-Teesdale is the ‘capital’ of the upper dale and is an excellent • Newbiggin Methodist Chapel page 51 Centre base from which to explore the area. The Tourist Information Centre is an • Moor House-Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve

n B3 excellent place to plan a trip to the upper dale. Be sure o page 14 l www.naturalengland.org.uk l 01833 622374 r e m to explore the rest of the village, which was the a C • Grassholme, Cow Green and other Northumbrian Water reservoirs D

headquarters for the London Lead Mining Company in © B3 C3 page 17 l www.nwl.co.uk the middle of the 19th century. • Barnard Castle Farmers’ Market D4 page 27 • Walks on the Teesdale Way and Pennine Way National Trail page 54

• Hannah’s Meadow nature reserve C4 www.durhamwt.co.uk l 0191 5843112 • Ark on the Edge D3 page 48 L High Force Further afield: •The castle at Barnard Castle D4 www.english-heritage.org.uk l 01833 638212 Set on a high rock above the River Tees, imposing Barnard Castle was the stronghold of the Balliol family. Taking its name from Bernard de Balliol, who rebuilt it in the 12th century, it includes a fine great hall and a dominating round-towered keep

• Raby Castle D3 page 51 m u e s • Hamsterley Forest D3 page 50 u M s walks, traffic-free cycle tracks, visitor centre, orienteering e w o page 48 B • Bowes Museum D4 © • Egglestone Abbey D4 www.english-heritage.org.uk The charming ruins of a small monastery of Premonstratensian ‘white canons’, picturesquely set above a bend in the River Tees near Barnard Castle L Bowes Museum Find out more: • www.northpennines.org.uk • www.teesdalediscovery.com • • www.visitnortheastengland.com • www.visitcountydurham.com • Call or visit Middleton-in-Teesdale or Barnard Castle Tourist Information Centres pages 71 & 69 L Whitewashed field barns in Upper Teesdale

38 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 39 Area Guides Weardale

Weardale was once the hunting ground of County Durham’s Prince Bishops. Places to visit, things to do: Eastgate and Westgate C2 marked the boundary of the Stanhope Deer Park • Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum B2 page 51 Multi-award winning museum with many opportunities for hands on experiences of where the famous ‘Great Chases’ were held. Weardale is also famous as the what life was like in the lead mines. Gift shop, café, impressive underground tour, source of a unique form of marble – known as Frosterley Marble. It’s actually a waterwheels, dazzling mineral/spar box exhibition, woodland trails & red squirrel hide

type of limestone and when highly polished the fossilized remains of corals are • Weardale Museum and High House Chapel, Ireshopeburn C2 page 53 plain to see. Independent folk museum telling Weardale’s story. Catch a glimpse of home life for lead miners a century ago © E

Stanhope is the largest settlement in Upper Weardale and is a good spot to d d i • The Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope C2 page 49 e R

spend a while planning your next move as you explore the North Pennines. o l

Information, tearooms, shops and grounds m a

Don’t miss the spectacular fossilized tree stump (originally from a quarry n i s / K

• The Weardale Railway i l

D2 l

near Edmundbyers ) in the churchyard. Take a walk by the River Wear h Runs between Wolsingham D2 and Stanhope C2 page 53 o p and find out more about the area, including local walk routes, at the e Durham Dales Centre. • Stanhope Farmers’ Market C2 page 27 The poet WH Auden loved the North Pennines, especially the area around • Harehope Quarry Project D3 page 50 Rookhope C2 . It was here in the lead mining landscapes of Weardale that • Swimming Pools he first felt his creative juices flowing. Visit the arch to the northwest of Weardale Open Air Swimming Pool, Stanhope C2 Rookhope – a reminder of the area’s lead mining past and the inspiration www.woaspa.co.uk l 01388 528466 ; Wolsingham Community Pool D2 www.wolsinghampool.co.uk l 01388 528198 Fun at Killhope that Auden drew from this fascinating part of the North Pennines. L © T o n y D e v o s

L Stanhope Fossil Tree

L Weardale Museum L Weardale Railway

Find out more: • www.northpennines.org.uk • www.durhamdales.co.uk • • www.visitnortheastengland.com • www.visitcountydurham.com •

Call or visit Stanhope Tourist Information Centre at the Durham Dales Centre page 71

L The Rookhope Arch

40 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 41 Area Guides Derwent Valley

The Derwent Valley is sometimes an overlooked corner of the North Pennines Places to visit, things to do:

– but if you venture into its hidden depths you won’t be disappointed! The • Blanchland – former Abbey and village C2 small village of Blanchland C2 , with its honey-coloured cottages, is perhaps • Derwent Reservoir D2 pages 64 and 65 l www.nwl.co.uk the most attractive settlement in the whole of the North Pennines. Blanchland means the ‘white lands’ - almost certainly a reference to the white habits of • Pow Hill Country Park D2 www.durham.gov.uk the Premonstratensian monks of the old Blanchland Abbey. Today the village, abbey and surrounding countryside are well worth a visit. Further afield: L Blanchland Abbey Downstream from Blanchland the flow of the River Derwent is interrupted • Tanfield Railway www.tanfield-railway.co.uk l 0191 3887545 by the three mile long Derwent Reservoir. It was built in 1967 and is the Working steam railway – see the world’s oldest surviving railway bridge, Causey Arch second largest reservoir in Northumberland. There is a choice of three • Highland Cattle Centre D1 www.thehighlandcattlecentre.co.uk l 07968 865591 excellent picnic sites on the banks of the reservoir – with trails, bird hides, • Beamish, the North of England Open Air Museum page 53 nature reserves and fishing opportunities to entice you to stay a while longer. An unforgettable insight into life in the North East in the late 1800s and early 1900s – includes a colliery, drift mine, pit cottages, working farm, railway station and town

• Hexham Abbey C1 www.hexhamabbey.org.uk l 01434 602031 • Hexham Old Gaol C1 www.tynedaleheritage.org l 01434 652349

• Hexham Farmers’ Market C1 pages 26 and 27 • Hadrian’s Wall A1 - D1 www.hadrians-wall.org • Northumberland National Park www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk

L Blanchland © / © C C r r e S M e a t a e i t k t i p v i e v h e e Q e C n C u o o i D n m m n a m l / m g o l o i n s n h s s

L Tanfield Railway L Hexham Abbey r e t

a Find out more: W n a

i • www.northpennines.org.uk • www.blanchland.org • r b m

u • www.derwentside.gov.uk • www.visitnortheastengland.com • h t r

o • www.visitnorthumberland.com • N © Call or visit a Tourist Information Centre in Hexham, Haltwhistle or Corbridge page 70 L River Derwent L Pow Hill Country Park

42 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 43 Area Guides Alston Moor & East Fellside

The countryside around Alston, England’s highest market town, provides some Places to visit, things to do: of the area’s finest walking country – including the lofty Cross Fell – the highest • Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre B2 page 51 A great day out awaits you at Nenthead Mines English hill, outside the Lake District! The imposing North Pennines escarpment represents an unmistakable western frontier for the North Pennines and is a • South Tynedale Railway B2 page 52 Steam train rides along the gorgeous South Tyne Valley from Alston dramatic backdrop to the attractive, red sandstone-built, fellfoot villages. • High Cup Nick B3 L Nenthead Mines Alston is well worth a visit – a wealth of small, A classic walk from Dufton up to this stunning U-shaped valley y

independent shops await you, unspoilt street e l

• The Hub Museum, Alston B2 page 50 d e

scenes and a choice of quality eateries to while H e

Vibrant local history and transport museum i l r a

away an hour or three! h C /

• Brough Castle B4 www.english-heritage.org.uk d n a l g n

A2 E • Hartside Viewpoint l a r u t a

• Thortergill Forge & tearooms, Garrigill B2 page 52 N Watch a blacksmith at work and enjoy the waterfall walk ©

• Talkin Tarn Country Park A1 www.eccp.org.uk l 01228 561601 South Tynedale • Geltsdale RSPB Reserve page 14 L Railway • The Poetry Path, nr Kirkby Stephen B4 www.eccp.org.uk l 01228 561601

• Farmers’ Markets at Brampton A1 , Brough B4 and Penrith A3 page 27

L Dufton L The Hub museum L Talkin Tarn Country Park

Find out more: • www.northpennines.org.uk • www.visiteden.co.uk • • www.hiddentreasurescumbria.com/eden_valley.html •

Call or visit Tourist Information Centres in Alston, Appleby, Kirkby Stephen, Penrith or Brampton pages 69-71

L Alston

44 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 45 Allendale Area Guides South Tyne Valley & the Allen Valleys Places to visit, things to do: Allendale, lying at the heart of the Allen Valleys, is a former lead mining • Allendale C1 settlement. It’s the largest community in this part of the North Pennines and This welcoming settlement is the geographical centre of Britain or is it nearby Haltwhistle? B1 with its central market square and its pubs, cafes, shops, art gallery If you come on New Years Eve you’ll witness the Tar Bar’ls Ceremony where people in costume parade through the streets with flaming tar barrels balanced on their heads! (www.pebblesartcafe.com) and walking/cycling opportunities is well worth a B1 visit! Allendale is also the 2008 Calor Village of the year. • Allen Banks & Staward Gorge, National Trust www.nationaltrust.org.uk Just before joining forces with the South Tyne the East and West Allen Rivers come together The South Tyne Valley is a gloriously undiscovered place – the tumbling river and flow through the spectacular wooded gorge at Allenbanks. Relaxing woodland walks await you here – good displays of bluebells and wild garlic in the spring fringed with ancient woods, leading the eye to the wide, open moorland beyond. In the past the East and West Allen Valleys were amongst the • Allenheads C2 busiest in the North Pennines, supporting a population almost ten times The lead mine here was the largest in the North Pennines. Now you’ll find a peaceful village with a nature trail, café and pub – and see the famous Armstrong water powered engine greater than today. • South Tynedale Railway B2 page 52

• South Tyne Trail www.eccp.org.uk l 01228 561601

• The Garden Station page 49

• Lambley Viaduct B1 www.npht.com l 01434 382726/382037

• Greenhead Farmers’ Market B1 page 27 Further afield: • Hadrian’s Wall A1 - D1 www.hadrians-wall.org L Autumn colours at • Northumberland National Park www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk Allen Banks and

© Staward Gorge D a v i d H a f f

Allendale Gift Shop e

L y

L The Hemmel Coffee Shop, L Hadrian’s Wall Allenheads Find out more: • www.northpennines.org.uk • www.visitallenvalleys.com • • www.visitnortheastengland.com • www.hadrianswallcountry.org • L Lambley Viaduct Call or visit Tourist Information Centres in Haltwhistle, Hexham or Alston L West Allen and Mohope pages 69 & 70 Valleys

46 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 47 Out and about Attractions in the North Pennines

Discover the area’s lead mining heritage at Killhope Museum, at the Nenthead Heritage Centre and in the Weardale Museum. Wonder at the geological Durham Dales Centre C2 The Garden Station B1 Atmosphere and tranquillity are part marvel that is High Force and take a ride on the Weardale Railway or the Visitor centre in Weardale with a tearoom, specialising in home of the experience at the Garden South Tynedale Railway. Explore Hamsterley Forest, visit the Forge at baking and a well stocked Tourist Station, developed along the former Thortergill and relax awhile in the Garden Station or Eggleston Hall Gardens. Information Centre. Gift and craft railway track of the Hexham- shops are set within a courtyard Allendale line on the edge of the • The grid references eg D3 refer to the map on the centre spread pages 36 & 37 offering a wide range of cards, gifts Allen Valleys. The Garden Station is and crafts. On site facilities include a restored Victorian railway station © Bowes Museum the Durham Dales Garden and framed by a woodland garden, interpretation throughout the enhanced by sculptures and a water Ark on the Edge D3 Bowlees Visitor Centre C3 grounds. Coaches welcome. cascade. At the Garden Station Ark on the Edge is an animal rescue Bowlees, run by the Durham you’ll find a cafe with fresh local centre and sanctuary. They have Wildlife Trust, is a fantastic base for Castle Gardens, Stanhope, food, a wide range of day courses recently received funding from the exploring Upper Teesdale, with Bishop Auckland, and art exhibitions. Big Lottery and have opened a footpath links to Low Force, High Co. Durham DL13 2FJ Force, Newbiggin and the Pennine t: 01388 527650 Wildlife Education Centre and pic? e: [email protected] Langley, Hexham Nature Trail (almost a mile). The Way. There are lively displays on the w: www.durhamdalescentre.co.uk Northumberland NE47 5LA centre offers courses in animal care landscape, wildlife, geology and t. 01434 684391 Opening times e. [email protected] and group visits are welcome. It is The Bowes Museum D4 people of Upper Teesdale, and the The Bowes Museum with its • 01/03/08-30/03/08: Daily 10am-4pm w. www.thegardenstation.co.uk open for the public to visit, see the work of the Trust and the AONB • 31/03/08-26/10/08: Daily 10am-5pm Eggleston Hall Gardens C3 animals, walk the nature trail, or wonderful history and outstanding Partnership. Refreshments are • 27/10/08-31/03/09: Daily 10am-4pm Four acres of gardens and nursery. Opening times • March-December: Daily 10am-5pm you can do a spot of pond dipping. treasures contains something to available and the shop sells books, 16th century churchyard with ruined inspire and entertain everyone. Entrance fees maps and souvenirs. There is car • Free entrance chapel and rare plants, moorland Entrance fees Woolley Hill Farm, Woodland Enjoy one of the country’s greatest parking, a picnic area and toilets stream, winding paths, and many • Free entry, various charges for courses Co. Durham DL13 5RX collections of European fine and t. 01833 630505 nearby. Accessible parking in front interesting plants for sale. Malcolm e. [email protected] decorative arts alongside a varied of the centre. Hockham & Gordon Long, who run w. www.arkontheedge.org.uk exhibition and events programme. the gardens, are two of the best Newbiggin, Bowlees, Middleton-in- Visit the popular Café Bowes and known horticulturalists in the North Opening times Teesdale, Co. Durham DL12 0XF • Normally open all week shop and explore the beautiful t. 01833 622292 (Centre) of England. In addition to these • Ring to check if travelling far gardens and parkland. 0191 5843112 (Durham Wildlife Trust) gardens Malcolm also has a small • Group visits can be arranged at any time e. [email protected] private nursery (open 14 days per The Bowes Museum, Barnard w. www.durhamwt.co.uk Entrance fees Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 8NP year) at which many rare and unusual • Free entry - donations welcome t. 01833 690606 Opening times plants are kept for propagation and e. [email protected] • 19/03/08-30/09/08: Daily 10am-5pm collections throughout the country. w. www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk (including Bank Holidays) Eggleston, Barnard Castle Opening times Entrance fees Co. Durham DL12 0AG • 01/03/08-31/03/09: 10am-5pm • Free - donations welcome (4pm – 01/11/08-28/02/09) t. 01833 650115 e. [email protected] Entrance fees w. www.egglestonhallgardens.co.uk • Adults £7, concessions £6, children free (under 16), carers free Opening times • Free access to Café Bowes, shop and • All year 10am-5pm grounds Entrance fees • Admissions are donation inclusive and • £1 adults, children free, dogs must be can be Gift Aided on leads

48 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 49 Out and about Attractions in the North Pennines

Killhope, the North of B2 Newbiggin C3 Raby Castle D3 © Harehope Quarry Project England Lead Mining Museum Methodist Chapel This 14th century castle has been Come to Killhope and see how Believed to be the world’s oldest home to Lord Barnard’s family since Hamsterley Forest D3 High Force Waterfall C3 North Pennine lead mining families Methodist Chapel in continuous 1626. Highlights include an impressive County Durham’s largest forest, High Force, England’s biggest lived. Accompany one of our use, from 1759. Methodism and gateway, a vast hall, a medieval Hamsterley has a mixture of waterfall, spectacularly drops 70 feet friendly, knowledgeable guides on local history displays. kitchen and a Victorian octagonal deciduous woodland, meadows and (21m) into a plunge pool below. The an underground tour of Park Level drawing room. The rooms display fine coniferous woods. It combines woodland walk leads you to this Mine. Find galena and fluorspar as Newbiggin, Middleton-in-Teesdale furniture, artworks and elaborate commercial forestry with a variety of breathtaking sight. The muffled Co. Durham DL12 0TY you work as a Victorian washerboy. architecture. Enjoy the deer park, natural habitats. You’ll find walking, rumble suddenly turns to a roar and t: 01833 641001 (Middleton TIC) 2008 exhibitions include ‘Molecules, walled gardens and carriage cycling and horse riding trails. the sight astounds you. The waterfall e: [email protected] Minerals, Matter’ and ‘Out of this collection. Stable tearooms. Events Additional facilities include toilets, a walk must be treated with care and Opening times Earth’. Come and see the National take place throughout the summer. tea room, cycle hire and a downhill children should be supervised at all • Weds (2-4.30pm) Collection of Spar Boxes. Explore May Bank-Aug Bank hol mountain bike course. times. Picnic area and parking. Staindrop D2 the woodland and see red squirrels. Harehope Quarry Project 1 Co. Durham DL2 3AH Upper Teesdale - on B6277, 4 ⁄2 miles Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre A visit to the gift shop and cafe will t. 01833 660202 The Harehope Quarry Project aims to NW of Middleton-in-Teesdale Redford, Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland, e. [email protected] promote a more sustainable way of t. 01833 640209 complete your day out! Co. Durham DL13 3NL Nenthead Mines Heritage B2 w. www.rabycastle.com t. 01388 488312 living. The project has developed an e. [email protected] Nr Cowshill, Upper Weardale Centre w. www.rabycastle.com e. [email protected] organic carp farm and smallholding, Co. Durham DL13 1AR (A689) An adventure in silver and lead at Opening times w. www.forestry.gov.uk/northeastengland a nature reserve with public access t: 01388 537505 • Easter Weekend: Sat to Mon Opening times one of the largest Victorian mining • May, June and September: Sun to Wed • Open throughout the year. During e: [email protected] Opening times and an eco-classroom built entirely and smelting sites in England. (guided tours Mon to Wed) adverse weather conditions parts of the w: www.killhope.org.uk • Forest: Winter 8am-Sunset; Summer, by volunteers. The project has a • July and August: Daily except Sat, also falls may not be accessible. Underground mine tours into 8am-8pm community events programme and Opening times open Bank Holiday Sat • Visitor Centre: 21/03/08-31/10/08: original workings that are over 250 Entrance fees • 01/04/08-31/10/08: 10.30am-5pm 10am-4pm weekdays, 11am-5pm delivers environmental education, Entrance fees • Adult (16+) £1.50, Children (under 16) (includes Easter Weekend 2008) years old. Interactive waterwheels weekends field studies and education for • Castle, park and gardens: Adults £9.50, free with paying adult, over that you can control. Restored Entrance fees concessions £8.50, children (5-15yrs) sustainable development. The eco- 60/concessions £1 Entrance fees • Surface price (Valid 3 consecutive days): buildings with interpretive displays. £4 classroom can also be booked for • Car Park £2 • £3 per car adults £4.50, child £1.50, concessions £4 Fun activities such as panning for • Park and Gardens: Adults £5, • Coach parking fees for School Parties meetings, green birthday parties and • Surface price + guided mine trip: adults concessions £4, children (12-15yrs) £3* apply – please book in advance. fool’s gold. A variety of trails and n other events. £6.50, child £3.50, concessions £6 o *Under 12s free (park and gardens) with a paying s walks around over 200 acres of b i • Family tickets available adult. Top up fee applies if visiting the castle G

. Harehope Quarry, Frosterley, Bishop woodland and moorland. Café and K g © Auckland, Co. Durham DL13 2SG The Hub Museum B2 gift shop. n i t

t: 01388 528599 or 01388 528633 e Vibrant local history and transport k r e: [email protected] Nenthead, Alston a museum, packed full of bygone M e w: www.harehopequarry.org Cumbria CA9 3PD l a d

forms of transport and delightful t: 01434 382726/382037 s e e Opening times snippets of local history. e: [email protected] T • Permissive paths to the east and w: www.npht.com/nentheadmines © west ends of the quarry are open Alston Goods Shed Trust at any time Alston,Cumbria CA9 3HN Opening times • The project runs a community t: 01434 382272 • 21/03/08-02/11/08: 11am- 5pm events programme and the eco- classroom can be booked for Opening times Entrance fees events and activities • April, May and October: Weekends and • With mine tour: adults £7, child £3, • Visits are strictly by prior Holidays 11am–5pm concessions £6 arrangement • June – September: Daily 11am–5pm • Site only: adults £4, child free, concession £3.25 Entrance fees Entrance fees • Various family tickets and weeklong • Costs of events and activities vary • Free - donations welcome passes available

© Killhope Museum

50 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 51 Out and about Attractions in the North Pennines

Thortergill Forge B2 Attractions further afield & Tearooms © Beamish Thortergill is a family run attraction offering a tearoom with a large Beamish Museum D2 selection of teas, 11 coffees and This open air museum vividly homemade snacks! You can watch recreates life in North East England the blacksmiths at work (and maybe in the early 1800s and early 1900s. buy a finished product) and then Step back in time and explore this enjoy the waterfall walk (half a 300 acre museum. Enjoy unlimited mile). See red squirrels and other free rides on the restored trams and wildlife as you while away an replica buses. Visit exciting attractions including an authentic afternoon in this wonderful spot. Weardale Museum & High C2 House Chapel town street, colliery village, working Thortergill, Garrigill farm manor house and steam South Tynedale Railway B2 This volunteer run museum is Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3DH locomotives. You’ll find Beamish just Take a ride through the South Tyne t: 01434 381936 packed with stories about the lead- Weardale Railway D2 C2 12 miles east of Castleside. Valley. The trains are hauled by e: [email protected] miner/farmer families of Upper w: www.thortergillforge.co.uk The only heritage railway based on steam and diesel engines from Weardale. Discover the fascinating part of the Stockton & Darlington Beamish Museum, Beamish Rheged Discovery Centre A3 Britain and abroad. The return trip Opening times story of the early Methodists and Railway. Train services operate Co. Durham DH9 0RG • Early March-Early November: t: 0191 3704000 The Rheged Centre just off the M6 to Kirkhaugh takes about 50 the many visits of John Wesley to between Wolsingham and Stanhope, Daily10am-5pm (closed Mon) e: [email protected] (J40), is a great family day out, with minutes. Why not ride in our buffet Ireshopeburn. Visit also the historic with a request stop at Frosterley. • Open Bank Holiday Mondays w: www.beamish.org.uk so much to do, including: imax style car and enjoy refreshments during and beautiful High House Chapel, Refreshments and car parking are the journey? Stay and explore the Entrance fees the oldest Methodist Chapel to have Opening times: large format screen; Discovering • Parking and entry to the tearoom is available at Wolsingham and held continuous weekly services • 15/03/08-02/11/08 (Summer): Daily Cumbria Exhibition and Cumbria footpaths around the station at free to customers Stanhope stations. 10am-5pm. since it was built in 1760. The information Centre; Rheged's rather Kirkhaugh, enjoy a picnic, and then • The forge can be viewed for £2.50 per • **03/11/08-03/04/09 (Winter): 10am- Stanhope Station,Stanhope, Weardale special shops reflect the region, its catch a train back. Alston Station - adult and £1.50 per school age child, Museum also holds a vast Weardale 4pm (closed Mon and Fri) which includes the waterfall walk Bishop Auckland,Co. Durham DL13 2YS activities, crafts people and gift shop, free car and coach parking genealogy resource - ring first to • Closed 08/12/08-02/01/09 inclusive t: 01388 526203 producers; fresh food with a distinct and toilets. There is also a café. avoid disappointment. 0845 6001348 (Reservations/Enquiries) **Visits centred on The Town and tramway only. MLA Accredited museum e: [email protected] Other areas of the museum are closed and Cumbrian emphasis; and let off admission charges are reduced The Railway Station, Alston w: www.weardale-railway.org.uk steam with our indoor soft play, Cumbria CA9 3JB Ireshopeburn, Entrance fees: creative workshops and our t: 01434 381696 Co. Durham DL13 1HD Opening times: • Summer – adult £16, child £10, 60+ £13 01434 382828 (Talking Timetable) Post address: 7 Windyside, • Contact Weardale Railway for details fantastic outdoor play area for e: [email protected] Westgate-in-Weardale, • Winter £6 per person under 12s! There’s even a dedicated w: www.strps.org.uk Co. Durham DL13 1NR Fares: • Family tickets and annual memberships area for under 5s. t: 01388 517433 • Contact Weardale Railway for details also available Opening times e: [email protected] Redhills, Penrith • 21/03/08-30/10/08: Trains depart Alston w: www.weardalemuseum.co.uk Cumbria CA11 0DQ at 11am, 12.15pm, 2.15pm and 3.30pm t: 01768 868000 • Different times may apply on special Opening times e: [email protected] event days • Open 2pm-5pm w: www.rheged.com • Easter and Bank Holidays: 2pm-5pm Fares • 01/05/08-30/09/08: Wed-Sun, 2pm-5pm Opening times: • Return fares: Adults £5.50, Child (3- • August 2008: Daily, 2pm-5pm • 01/03/08-31/03/09: Daily 10am-5pm 15yrs) £2.50, Family (2 adults, 3 children) £15 Entrance fees Entrance fees: • Other ticket types are available • Adult £2, child £0.50 • Free parking and entry to centre

52 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 53 Outdoor activities Walking

Walking in the North Pennines will suit you if you are looking for solitude and a place where you can walk all day without seeing more than a handful of Self-guided walks other people, or even crossing a road! If you crave big skies and the wide open, A large number of self-guided trails and books, produced by lots of organisations and rolling views typical of moorland landscapes then the North Pennines is for you. individuals, are available for walks across the North Pennines – the best way to find The AONB has a large network of footpaths and bridleways for the keen walker to out about them in the area you plan to visit is to contact the nearest Tourist explore, as well as extensive areas of open country. pages 57 & 58 Information Centre. pages 69-71

Promoted routes abound, including: Lace up your boots – Festivals and • Hay Time Walks 3 miles • Weardale Way 73 miles Guided walks Three glorious walks from Allendale C1 , Traces the route of the River Wear from Ireshopeburn C2 and Hury Reservoir, Killhope Museum page 51 to the sea Northern Rocks Festival Baldersdale C4 . Each two hour stroll at Wearmouth. Circular day walks, linked This festival, running between 24 May and 8 June, includes lots of themed, guided introduces you to some of the best hay to the route, are being developed, eg walks. pages 30, 67-78 l www.northpennines.org.uk meadows in the AONB. Rookhope Fields & Fells - 3 & 5 mile walks AONB Partnership (pages 67 & 68) l TICs from Rookhope C2 . Haltwhistle Walking Festivals (pages 69-71) l pdf downloads at www.weardaleway.com l A guidebook by The Haltwhistle Partnership is running two walking festivals in 2008 (26 April-5 May & www.northpennines.org.uk Alistair Wallace is available from the 11-19 October). The walks are led by experienced local leaders exploring the Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope. B1 1 landscape and heritage around Haltwhistle (B - walks are in the North Pennines • Discover mid Teesdale 4 ⁄2-12 miles Routes to walk, cycle and ride around • South Tyne Trail 23 miles AONB, Northumberland National Park and around Hadrian’s Wall. Enjoy this spectacular walk (or cycle) from Mickleton, Romaldkirk & Middleton-in- For details and to request Festival Programmes: Teesdale C3 . the stone sculpture at the source, down the South Tyne Valley to Haltwhistle B1 www.haltwhistle.org l 01434 321242 l [email protected] AONB Partnership (pages 67 & 68) l TICs www.eccp.org.uk (pages 69-71) l pdf downloads at Durham County Council walks www.northpennines.org.uk • Isaac’s Tea Trail 36 miles Durham County Council’s Countryside Group runs a programme of guided walks and • Pennine Way 268 miles A circular trail (from Ninebanks YHA B2 ) countryside activities, many within the North Pennines. Some of the best bits of this National Trail following in the footsteps of Isaac Holden are in the North Pennines. Starts in Edale www.teatrail.info For more details: and finishes in Kirk Yetholm, Scotland. www.durham.gov.uk l 0191 3834144 l [email protected] 1 • The Poetry Path, Kirkby Stephen 2 ⁄2miles www.nationaltrail.co.uk/PennineWay Celebrate the hill farmer's relationship with For further details of other organisations running events and activities, including Look out for the ‘Flora of the Fells the landscape. 12 poems carved into blocks Landscape Guide – Number 3’ along a circular route. B4 guided walks, in the North Pennines page 29 . (www.floraofthefells.com) which follows the A £2 guide is available from Kirkby Stephen Pennine Way from Langdon Beck to Alston. TIC (page71) l www.eccp.org.uk

1 • Teesdale Way 90 miles • Take a Walk in the Woods 1 ⁄2-10 miles Starts in the North Pennines and follows Five walks in the National Trust woods at the River Tees as it winds its way to the sea. Allen Banks and Staward Gorge B1 . A guidebook by Martin Collins and Paddy AONB Partnership (pages 67 & 68) or TICs Dillon is available - www.cicerone.co.uk (pages 69-71) l pdf download at www.northpennines.org.uk L South Tyne Trail L Cow Green, Teesdale L Slit Wood, Weardale

54 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 55 Outdoor activities Walking Walking and dogs Open Access

Please keep dogs under close control at all times. The North Pennines is Open Access has made large swathes of the North Pennines accessible for the thought to host up to 22,000 pairs of breeding wading birds. These birds nest first time. Walking on access land is a very different experience to following on the ground and are extremely vulnerable to disturbance by dogs. Also in public rights of way, principally because you are able to make up your own the spring time moorland sheep are lambing - another reason to be careful route and explore freely. with your dog. On access land you can walk, sightsee, picnic, birdwatch, climb and run. But there is no right to ride a cycle or horse, camp, drive vehicles, hanglide, paraglide, use a metal Dogs on Public Rights of Way detector, use boats, collect stones, plants or wood, light or cause fires or swim. Public footpaths, bridleways and other public rights of way provide many Across the North Pennines there is an almost complete restriction on taking dogs onto opportunities in the North Pennines for you to walk with your dog. The law protects access land. Please note that this does not apply to public rights of way crossing open your right to walk these paths at any time and also requires you to take simple steps country – where you should keep your dog under close control ie preferably on a lead. to prevent harm to wildlife, farm animals and other people - please always follow the Countryside Code and the Moorland Visitors' Code page 11 Open Access Guides Dogs in Open Country Three leaflets are available to help you find out about open access in the North Pennines: The rights on access land extend to walking with dogs. However, they must be on a • Discover Open Country in the North Pennines, includes circular routes from Youth fixed lead no more than 2m long between 1 March and 31 July to limit disturbance to Hostels in the AONB ground nesting birds. They must also be on a short fixed lead at any time near • Open Access in the North Pennines includes five suggested routes across open livestock and nesting birds. Please follow local information signs. country, a map showing access land in the AONB and lots of guidance and advice • On access land used for the rearing and shooting of grouse, there is likely to be a • Treading Carefully - Birds and Access Land in the North Pennines total exclusion on dogs. www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk l 0845 1003298 • Dogs may also be excluded for up to six weeks a year on land used for lambing To get copies: and in areas important for ground nesting birds local TICs (page 69-71) l www.northpennines.org.uk & download pdf files • Dog restrictions do not apply to trained guide/hearing dogs and dogs on the land with the landowner's permission • Your rights to take dogs on public rights of way are unaffected by access land restrictions, but dogs must be kept under close control on public rights of way, preferably on a fixed short lead

Dogs and cattle Cattle may be inquisitive and approach you, especially if you have a dog. • Avoid walking through a herd of cattle and NEVER come between a cow and her calf • If you have a dog with you and feel threatened by cattle, let the dog go and retreat • In any other circumstances, dogs should be kept on a short lead near livestock

56 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 57 Outdoor activities Cycling

The North Pennines offers a host of opportunities to discover the area by bike. With rights… Routes vary from car-free level trails suitable for families to more challenging …come responsibilities moorland single track and steep minor roads for experienced mountain bikers, You are welcome to explore access land in the North Pennines but please remember cycle tourists and road cyclists. that most of the area is privately owned, is internationally important for wildlife and is also a home and place of work for many people. Please observe local signs and follow A wide range of guides are available and there are excellent accommodation and cycle the Moorland Visitor’s Code: services especially linked to some of the UK’s premier long distance cycle routes, which pass through the area. Accommodation providers who display the • Be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs VisitBritain Cyclists Welcome logo are specifically set up to cater for cyclists. • Keep dogs under close control • Prevent uncontrolled moorland fires National Cycle Routes • Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home • C2C Cycle Route. The UK’s most popular ‘challenge’ cycle route (from Whitehaven • Leave gates and property as you find them or Workington to Newcastle or Sunderland). The 140 mile (79 traffic-free) route passes through the northern Lakes before entering the AONB and descending to • Consider other people the railway paths of Co. Durham. www.c2c-guide.co.uk l www.sustrans.org Find out more: • Walney to Wear and Whitby Cycle Route. Inspired by the pioneering C2C, the • OS Explorer maps published after May 2005 show access land W2W route passes through a variety of stunning countryside. It stretches between Walney Island, on Cumbria’s Irish Sea coast, and both Wearmouth in Sunderland • Visit www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk for information on restrictions to walk on (151miles) and Whitby (176 miles) on the North Sea coast. The route passes access land and for general information through the southern part of the AONB. www.cyclingw2w.info l www.sustrans.org • Call the Access Helpline on 0845 1003298 • Pennine Cycle Way runs for 335 miles between Derby and Berwick upon Tweed, • Visit a Primary Information Point – locations on OS Explorer maps passing through the North Pennines on its way. • Contact the County Councils: Cumbria – 01228 601022; Durham – 0191 www.cycle-routes.org/penninecycleway l www.sustrans.org 3706000; Northumberland – 01670 533000 Other routes and guides There are many excellent publications promoting cycle routes within the AONB, available from local TICs pages 69-71 , including: • Cycling Opportunities in the North Pennines. Comprehensive leaflet highlighting routes (inc map), cycle hire and services and guides • Wheels to the Wild. Multi-day circular route (and three day routes) exploring the geology and landscapes of the North Pennines AONB and European Geopark.

page 62

L Primary Information Point at Bowlees

58 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 59 Cycle hire and shops Cycle Force 2000 Ltd Kirkby Stephen Cycle Centre B4 • Bike Bowes. Mountain bike routes centred on the ancient parish of Bowes C4 in Contact Ian Lamb Contact Stephen McWhirter the south of the AONB Address 87 Claypath, Durham City, Address Unit 1, Station Yard, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria CA17 4LA • Beyond Hamsterley. A folder of weatherproof mountain bike routes (priced Co. Durham DH1 1RG T. 0191 3840319 T. 017683 71658 £12.95), inc 15 rides in the AONB Open Mon-Tues, 9am-5.30pm; Sat, 9am-5pm E. [email protected] Hire Mountain Open Mon-Sat, 8am-6pm www.beyond-hamsterley.co.uk l Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope l Parkhead Station Tearooms Other Bikes sales, repairs and accessories Hire Mountain, comfort, hybrids by prior arrangement (www.parkheadstation.co.uk) l Barnard Castle TIC l Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre and Wood ‘N’ Wheels Other Sales, repairs, spare parts Pedalpushers A1 • South Tyne Trail. 36.5km route following the River South Tyne from source to Contact Nick & Maggie Davis Arragon’s Cycle Centre A3 Contact Sarah or Phil Haltwhistle, includes family-friendly sections. Map and guide - £2 Address Lonnings End, Sandy Lonning, Capontree Road, Brampton, Cumbria CA8 1RA Address 2 Brunswick Road, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7LU Alston TIC (page 69) l www.eccp.org.uk T. 01697 742387 T. 01768 890344 E. [email protected] E. [email protected] • The National Byway is a 4000 mile signed cycle route using the quiet roads of Open All year round (8am-8pm) W. www.arragonscycles.com Britain. It passes north to south through the AONB www.thenationalbyway.org Hire Range of bikes available for road and moderate Hire Mountain, hybrids off-road use. Childrens’ bikes and a tandem also Open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Frid, 9am-5.30pm; Wed, 9am- • Walking & Cycling in Wear Valley. Spiral-bound guide which includes routes in available 2pm; Sat, 9am-5pm; Easter-Sep, Sun, 10am-2pm Upper Weardale. Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope (www.durhamdalescentre.co.uk) Other Helmets, locks and puncture repair kits Other Sales, service, repairs, parts, accessories included in hire Wood ‘N’ Wheels D3 Traffic-free routes Dale Bike Hire D2 Contact Martin Stout Contact Peter Cook, Richard Wigham Address Hamsterley Forest, Redford, Bishop The Waskerley Way (Weardale), Tees Railway Walk (Teesdale) www.durham.gov.uk Address Denecroft, 35 Uppertown, Wolsingham, Auckland, Co. Durham DL13 3NL T. 01388 488222 and parts of the South Tyne Trail www.eccp.org.uk are traffic free, easy gradient, cycle Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham DL13 3ES T. 01388 527737; Peter Cook – 07811 321947; E. [email protected] routes ideal for families. Hamsterley Forest is also a great place to find traffic-free routes. Richard Wigham – 07814 324444 W. www.woodnwheels.co.uk E. [email protected] Hire Mountain – adults and children (down to 16” Mountain biking in the forest W. www.dalebikehire.co.uk wheel), child seats and tagalongs Hire Mountain (adults & children), tagalongs, trailer Open Summer, 10am-6pm; Winter, 10am-dusk ©

D3 K (approx. 4pm) Hamsterley Forest has excellent terrain for . bikes, childrens’ seats G i b Other Delivery of bikes can be arranged (charge for Other Sales (new & ex-hire), repairs, accessories & s

mountain biking, offering routes for a range of o n over 20 miles). Individual & group hire, leader parts, groups catered for with trained guide, bikes abilities - including: The Loop – skills area; downhill available. Helmets included in hire can be delivered to your accommodation – call for for experienced riders; and four, colour coded, availability and details, light hire on winter Wed The Bike Shop C1 nights, cycle repair courses waymarked trails (Green – 3 miles, Blue – 9 miles, Contact

John Swan © K

Red – 10 miles and Black – 7 miles). Don’t miss Address 16 St Mary’s Chare, Hexham, . G i Northumberland NE46 1NQ b s

Hamsterley Tearooms, mountain bike friendly, open o L Hamsterley Forest T. 01434 601032 n between Feb and Sep, call 01388 488822 for details. E. [email protected] W. www.thebikeshophexham.com www.forestry.gov.uk l www.hamsterley-trailblazers.co.uk l www.descendhamsterley.co.uk Open Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm Hire Mountain and hybrids Other Sales, repairs, parts and accessories

60 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 61 Outdoor activities Outdoor activities Cycling Horse riding

Turn your Wheels to the Wild! The North Pennines offers a range of opportunities for horse riding, from leisurely, guided pony rides for beginners to technical upland hacks across By following the rides in the Wheels to the Wild Cycle Route historic pack-horse trails for the more experienced. You can discover networks you can explore some of the best cycling the area has to offer of bridleways and quiet lanes, allowing you to see the splendour of the North and discover the geology and landscapes of the AONB and Pennines AONB and European Geopark from the saddle. UNESCO European Geopark. One of the best ways to enjoy horse The route is 122km long and provides and excellent way to discover what’s so special riding in the North Pennines is with General horse riding information about the North Pennines landscape. one of the area’s riding centres. British Horse Society website at www.bhs.org.uk Short break The route fits into a leisurely three-day short break giving you the time to appreciate the unique North Pennines landscape and enjoy some of its special attractions along Riding Centres/Livery the way. If you decide to ride the route in three days (48km, 42 km and 33 km) you’ll Hamsterley Riding School D3 West Hoppyland Trekking Centre D3 Contact Judy Dennis Contact Carole or Bill Atkinson find suitable overnight accommodation in and around Wolsingham D2 , Alston B2 and Address Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland, Address West Hoppyland Farm, Hamsterley, Bishop Middleton-in-Teesdale. C3 Co. Durham DL13 3NH Auckland, Co. Durham DL13 3NP T. 01388 488328 or 07774 971423 T. 01388 488196 Guide available Open all year E. [email protected] W. www.geocities.com/westhoppyland The guide comes complete with an Accommodation and Services booklet which Trekking available along a quiet single track country includes detailed information on places to stay on the route as well as cycle holiday lane. Beginners welcome. 30 minute (£10) and one Open all year hour rides (£16) available West Hoppyland offers trekking over the high providers; support services and cycle hire and shop information. moors and along tree-lined tracks in Hamsterley Raygill Riding Centre D4 Forest. Group of up to three experienced riders can Route sections are described with OS map extracts, directions and explanations of 1 Address Raygill Farm, Lartington, Barnard Castle, be taken for treks of 1, 1 ⁄2 or 2 hours. Three/four some of the geological and landscape features you’ll pass on the way. Altitude profiles Co. Durham DL12 9DG hour rides with picnic lunches and livery services are also available of the main route and day rides also give you a clear indication of the ups and downs T. 01833 690118 or 07703 338006 E. via form on w. Middle Bayles Livery B2 you’ll encounter. W. www.raygillriding.co.uk Contact Gill Munro Open all year The guide includes three day routes suitable for mountain and hybrid cycles: Address Middle Bayles Farm, Alston, Cumbria CA9 3BS Raygill offers a variety of riding holidays, including: • Waskerley Round (33.5km) T. 01434 382426 Learn to ride in a Week, Trekking Holidays with E. [email protected] • Swinhope High Challenge (38km) Experienced Leaders, Improve your Riding Holidays, and Fun and Learn Weeks for Kids. The centre has Full or part livery with exercise arena, one mile of • Killhope Round (32km) 60 ponies and horses or you can bring your own. scenic gallop track and round pen. Tuition is Visit w. or call for prices and further details available for resident horse owners Why not combine the main route with the three day rides and enjoy a full week of cycling in the AONB? Sinderhope Trekking Centre C2 Contact Lisa or Robert Philipson Address High Sinderhope, Sinderhope, Allendale, How to get hold of the guide Northumberland NE47 9SH Costing £5 the guide is available from the North Pennines AONB Partnership (pages 67 & 68) and from local T. 01434 685266 Tourist Information Centres (pages 69-71) and other outlets. W. www.sinderhopeponytrekking.co.uk Open all year The Wheels to the Wild Cycle Route was funded by: Trekking suitable for all types of riders over moorland 1 and along country roads: 1hr (£12.50); 1 ⁄2hrs (£18); and Neighbourhood 2hrs (£24); and 3hrs – experienced riders only (£35). Renewal Unit Lessons in indoor arena also available. Min age 4 for lessons and 6 for trekking. Arena also available for hire from £15 per hr L Sinderhope Trekking Centre

62 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 63 Outdoor activities Fishing L Cow Green Reservoir The North Pennines boasts some of the finest upland reservoirs and rivers, Rivers and Lakes renowned for the quality of their fishing. You can choose to fish in some of There are several excellent opportunities to fish on rivers and lakes in the North Pennines: England’s most spectacular landscapes and opportunities abound for complete beginners as well as experts. River South Tyne River Wear (Alston to Langley Viaduct) B2 (Stanhope Gauging Station to Reservoirs Alston and District Angling Association Rookhope Burn, Eastgate) C2 Fly and spinning only Northumbrian Water looks after lots of well stocked and attractive upland reservoirs, Weardale Fly Fishers Club Day and week permits from: Fly until 1 Sept then also worm and spinning with average catches of between four and five fish. There are opportunities for Hughes News and Alston Post Office Day permits from: coarse, fly and multi-bait fishing at Derwent D2 , Cow Green B3 , Selset C3 , River Tees Stanhope Newsagents, Front Street, Grassholme C3 , Balderhead C4 , Blackton C4 and Hury C3 reservoirs across the North Stanhope (Barnard Castle) D4 Pennines AONB. See the map on the centre pages (36 & 37) for locations. Barnard Castle Angling Club Langley Dam Find out more… Day and week permits (14 acre lake, off the A686 near Call Northumbrian Water on 0870 2403549 to request your free ‘Go Fishing Details from: Haydon Bridge) C1 Barnard Castle TIC - 01833 690909 Guide’ or visit www.nwl.co.uk/gofishing Fly only page 69 Stocked weekly with rainbow trout River Tees Various day permits and boat hire available Have a go… 01434 688846 for details and to book (Upper Tees North Bank) C3 If you fancy an introduction to the world of fly or multi-bate fishing for trout why not Raby Estate sign up for a ‘beginner day’ at Derwent Reservoir D2 ? Fly only • Three-hour sessions between April and September Day permits from: Raines Ironmongers and Raby Estate Office in • Call Derwent Reservoir Lodge on 01207 255250 for details and to book Middleton-in-Teesdale or the shop at High Force © N o r t h u m b r i a n W a t e r For further information on river fisheries, including regional guides Environment Agency on 08708 506506 or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk L River Tees L Derwent Reservoir Rod licences Any angler (12 years and over) fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels must have an Environment Agency rod licence. Your licence fee helps fund work to look after fisheries. If you don’t get one you risk a fine of up to £2,500. Get your licence at local post offices, by calling 0870 1662662 or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk

64 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 65 Other Areas of Oustanding Natural Beauty... Publication request form ...our finest landscapes To help you get the most out of your visit to the North Pennines you can order the selected publications listed below. Simply tick the relevant boxes and return the order form, together with two first-class stamps, to the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are just that! They contain our address below: country's finest landscapes and countryside and are home to some of our most North Pennines AONB Partnership charismatic and unusual wildlife as well as containing fascinating historic Weardale Business Centre environments and geological wonders. The Old Co-op Building 1 Martin Street Stanhope Find out more: AONB Fact File County Durham DL13 2UY The National Association for AONBs, • Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are The Old Police Station, Cotswold just that! Your details Heritage Centre, Northleach, • AONBs are national treasures to be Name: Gloucestershire GL54 3JH l 01451 shared and cherished by the nation 862007 l www.aonb.org.uk or Address: • AONBs are designated by Government www.visitaonb.org.uk and are part of a worldwide family of Postcode: protected landscapes (IUCN Category V) Day time tel: Email address: Other AONBs in the North Please tick this box if you would like to be added to a mailing list for future information about of England things to see and do in the North Pennines • The Northumberland Coast AONB y e l

www.northumberlandcoastaonb.org d

e Publications are FREE unless otherwise stated H e i • The Solway Coast AONB l r a

h Walking

www.solwaycoastaonb.org.uk C / d n

a Discover Open Country l

• Nidderdale AONB g n E

l Open Access in the North Pennines

www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk a r u t a N y Treading Carefully…Birds and Access Land e f © f a

H Allen Banks & Staward Gorge Walks (‘Take a walk in the woods’) d i v a

D Discover mid Teesdale (walking, cycling & horse riding routes) © Cycling L Solway Coast AONB Wheels to the Wild Cycle Route: £5 Cheques payable to ‘Durham County Council’ • Arnside and Silverdale AONB Cycling Opportunities in the North Pennines www.arnsidesilverdaleaonb.org.uk • The Forest of Bowland AONB Public Transport www.forestofbowland.com North Pennines Public Transport Guide L Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland • The Howardian Hills AONB Coast AONB www.howardianhills.org.uk • Lincolnshire Wolds AONB www.lincswolds.org.uk

66 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 67 Geology and Landscape Northern Rocks 2008 …the North Pennines Festival of Geology and Landscape (24 May–8 June) About the North Pennines Teesdale Time Trail - Introduction Cow Green Trail Finding out more Holwick Scar & Wynch Bridge Trail Tynehead Trail Information Centres in and around the North Pennines Stanhope Tree Tourist Information Centres (TICs) are great places to find out more about the Frosterley Marble North Pennines. Knowledgeable and friendly staff are on hand providing a Blanchland wide range of services. You’ll find lots of information on places to visit and Birdwatching local events, including a range of publications, as well as where to stay and Birdwatching in the North Pennines: public transport options. £4.50 Cheques payable to ‘Durham County Council’ Book-a-bed-ahead service Wheelchair accessible Wheelchair accessible toilets Loop system Bird Identification Guide Internet access Photocopying Local theatre tickets Cafe CentreParcs booking Peatlands From Peat to Global Warming Land Management & Water Colour Alston Appleby-in-Westmorland Living History Alston Moor Information Centre, Moot Hall, Boroughgate, Appleby-in- The Town Hall, Front Street, Alston Westmorland, Cumbria CA16 6XE Hay Meadows Cumbria CA9 3RF e: [email protected] e: [email protected] Allendale Hay Time Walk t: 017683 51177 t: 01434 382244 w: www.applebytown.org.uk Weardale (Ireshopeburn) Hay Time Walk w: www.visiteden.co.uk Opening times: Baldersdale Hay Time Walk Opening times: • From Easter Day (2008) • 01/03/08-17/03/08: Mon-Sat 10am- Hay Meadow Grasses and Flowers Identification Guide • Mon-Sat: 9.30am-5pm 3pm, Sun closed • Sun: 11am-3pm General • 17/03/08-20/10/08: Mon-Sat 10am- 5pm, Sun 10am-4pm The North Pennines…an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty • 20/10/08-16/03/09: Mon-Sat 10am- North Pennines…Looking after it Together 3pm, Sun closed North Pennines News: Spring and Summer 2008 • 16/03/09-31/03/09: Mon-Sat 10am- 5pm, Sun 10am-4pm North Pennines News: Autumn and Winter 2008/09 Please add me to the North Pennines News mailing list Conference Barnard Castle booking facility Please add me to the Pocket Guide 2009/10 mailing list Woodleigh, Flatts Road Barnard Castle, Co. Durham DL12 8AA

m e: [email protected] s i r

u t: 01833 690909 • Visit www.northpennines.org.uk - click o T n

e w: www.visitteesdale.com d

on ‘About Us’ and visit our Publications E

© Opening times: pages to access pdf downloads of the • 01/03/08-31/03/08: Mon-Sat 10am-3pm above publications • 01/04/08-30/10/08: Mon-Sat 9.30am- 5pm, Sun 11am-5pm • 01/11/08-31/03/09: Mon-Sat 10am-3pm • Other geological publications are planned this year. Visit the website to keep up to date! L Alston

68 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 69 l i c m n s i u r

o Kirkby Stephen

Bishop Auckland u C o T t c n i

r Market Street, Kirkby Stephen

Town Hall, Market Place, Bishop Auckland e t d s i E

Co. Durham DL14 7NP D Cumbria CA17 4QN © e l a e: e: [email protected] d [email protected] s e e

t: 01388 604922 T t: 017683 71199

w: www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk © w: www.visiteden.co.uk Opening times: Opening times: • 01/03/08-31/03/09: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm; • Easter 08-31/10/08: Mon-Sat 9.30am- Sat 9am-4pm 5.30pm, Sun 10am-4pm • Closed Bank Holidays L Barnard Castle • 01/11/08-03/09: Mon-Sat 10am- 12noon, 2pm-4pm on Mon. Closed Sun **** Haltwhistle Station Road, Haltwhistle * When Café is open (Mon-Fri) Northumberland NE49 1QE Also: L Kirkby Stephen * Town Hall & Darlington Civic Theatre e: [email protected] • 24hr ‘through window’ interactive * Inc. local and family history resources in t: 01434 322002 information screen library (10am-7pm Mon, Tues, Thurs; 10am- w: www.hadrianswallcountry.org 5pm Wed, Fri; 9am – 4pm Sat) Opening times: Rheged • 17/03/08-12/05/08: Mon-Sat 9.30am- Middleton-in-Teesdale Redhills, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0DQ e: [email protected] Brampton 1pm, 2pm-5pm 10 Market Place, Middleton-in-Teesdale t: 01768 860034 • 13/05/08-30/09/08: Mon-Sat 9.30am- Co. Durham DL12 0QG The Moot Hall, Brampton, Cumbria CA8 1RW w: www.rheged.com e: [email protected] 1pm, 2pm-5.30pm, Sun 1pm-5pm e: [email protected] t: 016977 3433 • 01/10/08-31/10/08: Mon-Sat 9.30am- t: 01833 641001 Opening times: w: www.historic-carlisle.org.uk 1pm, 2pm-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm w: www.middletonplus.org.uk • 01/03/08-31/03/09: Daily 9.30am-5.30pm Opening times: • 01/11/08-03/09: Mon-Sat 9.30am- Opening times: • Easter 08-Sep 08: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm 12noon,1pm-3.30pm • 01/03/08-31/03/09: Daily 10am-1pm Oct 08: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm

Stanhope Hexham Durham Dales Centre, Castle Gardens Wentworth Car Park, Hexham Penrith Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham Corbridge DL13 2FJ Northumberland NE46 1QE Middlegate, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7QU Hill Street, Corbridge e: [email protected] e: [email protected] e: [email protected] Northumberland NE45 5AA t: 01434 652220 t: 01388 527650 t: 01768 867466 e: [email protected] w: www.hadrianswallcountry.org w: www.durhamdalescentre.co.uk t: 01434 632815 w www.visiteden.co.uk Opening times: Opening times: w: www.hadrianswallcountry.org Opening times: • 01/03/08-12/05/08: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm • 01/03/08-30/03/08: Daily 10am-4pm Opening times: • 03/08-10/08: Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, (Sun 10am-5pm from 23/03/08) • 31/03/08-26/10/08: Daily 10am-5pm • 17/03/08-12/05/08: Mon-Sat 10am- Sun 1pm-4.45pm • 13/05/08-30/09/08: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, 1pm, 2pm-5pm; Sun 1pm-4pm • 27/10/08-31/03/09: Daily 10am-4pm Sun 10am-5pm • 10/08-03/09: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat • 13/05/08-30/09/08: Mon-Sat 10am- 10.30am-4pm • 01/10/08-03/09: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm. * 6pm, Sun 1pm-4pm Closed Sun • 01/10/08-31/10/08: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm * • Closed for winter Also: *Darlington Civic Theatre • Fishing Permits for River *Theatre by the Lake (Keswick), Penrith Players Also: Tyne at Hexham Also: • UK Holiday Information Service • Hadrian’s Wall Bus tickets • Next to Penrith & Eden Museum • Welcome to Excellence

The AONB is split between Cumbria (in North West England) and County Durham and Northumberland (in North Surf the web… East England). Visit these sites for information on various parts of the North Pennines: Visit the AONB Partnership’s website at www.northpennines.org.uk for a wide range of • www.visitnortheastengland.com • www.visitcountydurham.com • www.visitnorthumberland.com • information on the North Pennines AONB and UNESCO European Geopark www.hiddentreasurescumbria.com/eden_valley.html • www.visiteden.co.uk •www.historic-carlisle.org.uk • www.derwentside.gov.uk • www.teesdalediscovery.com • www.durhamdales.co.uk • 70 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2008/09 www.hadrianswallcountry.org 71 We can provide a summary of the information contained in this publication in large print, different formats and other languages on request. Please call 01388 528801 for details

After you have finished with the Pocket Guide please give it to someone else to read, or recycle it

North Pennines AONB Partnership The North Pennines AONB Weardale Business Centre Partnership holds a Gold The Old Co-op Building GTBS Award for its 1 Martin Street corporate office and Stanhope tourism activities County Durham DL13 2UY +44 (0)1388 528801 [email protected] www.northpennines.org.uk This guide has been produced by the

It has been supported by

and the area’s nine local authorities

This publication is printed on 250 and 115gsm Greencoat Plus Gloss and Matt papers. Greencoat Plus Gloss: 80% recycled post-consumer; FSC certification; NAPM recycled certification; 10% TCF virgin fibre; 10% ECF fibre. Greencoat Matt: 70% post-consumer; 30% TCF virgin fibre.

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