The North Pennines

Inside… Explore the North Pennines North the Explore Attractions • Explore North Pennines • Maps & area guides • Dark Sky Discovery • Discover Bowlees • Things to see & do • Sites Visitor Centre

Pocket Guide 2014/15 Free! Free! Welcome to The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty s Alston

The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a stunning landscape of open heather moors, dramatic dales, tumbling Contents upland rivers, wonderful woods, inky-black night skies, close-knit communities, glorious waterfalls, fantastic birds, colourful hay meadows, Page stone-built villages, intriguing imprints of a mining and industrial past, A special place 4 distinctive plants and much, much more. As well as being an AONB the Be a green visitor 8 North Pennines is also a European and Global Geopark. Finding out more 11 Events in the AONB 12 Other events & activities 13 Where is the North Pennines? Shows and fairs 14 The North Pennines is a distinctive landscape of high moorland and broad Farmers’ markets 15 upland dales in the North of England. It shares a boundary with the Yorkshire Area guides 16 Dales National Park in the south and extends as far as the Tyne Valley, just south North Pennines map 26-27 of Hadrian’s Wall, in the north. Parts of the North Pennines AONB are in the Attractions 28 three counties of Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland. See the map on the Explore North Pennines 34 centre pages 26 & 27 for more detail. - Walking 35 - Cycling 38 How to use this guide - Fishing 40 Map references - Horse riding 42 Throughout the guide many attractions, places and other features have been Geology and landscape 43 given a map reference eg D2 C3 A1 . These refer to the map on the centre pages Hay meadows 45 26 & 27. Birds 46 Moorlands 47 Green Tourism Discover the past 48 Look out for Green Tourism logos throughout the guide. Wherever you see Publications 49 one you can be sure that the business is committed to looking after the Bowlees Visitor Centre 51 environment. See page 8 for more details or visit www.green-tourism.com Where to stay The North Pennines has a wide variety of places to stay. To find out more visit This publication is printed on 250/115gsm Front cover: © David Taylor Photography. All other unaccredited websites with accommodation information listed on the area guides pages 16-25. Revive 100 Silk: 100% post-consumer images are: © Natural England/Charlie Hedley/Steve Westwood/Barry recycled ﬁbre content. Stacey; North Pennines AONB Partnership/Rebecca Barrett/Elizabeth Cover: Greenleycleugh Crags, Kevelin Moor, Allen Valleys Maps used between pages 16 & 27 Pickett/Chris Woodley-Stewart/K.Gibson/Shane Harris/Elﬁe are based on OS mapping © Crown Waren/Paul Frodsham/Charlie Hedley/Simon Wilson/Louise Information is correct at the time of going to print (Jan 2014). Every effort has been made to ensure that Copyright. All rights reserved. Durham Taylor/Andy Lees/Eva Zandeman; www.northeastwildlife.co.uk; information is accurate. However, the AONB Partnership and its Staff Team cannot be held responsible for errors County Council. LA 100049055. 2014. Marcus Byron; Teesdale Marketing. or omissions. Please check critical information before travel. Inclusion in this guide is not a recommendation by the AONB Partnership and in itself is not necessarily a guarantee of quality. North Pennines AONB Partnership, Weardale Business Centre, The Old Co-op Building, 1 Martin St, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL13 2UY

2 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 3 Introducing the North Pennines A special place s Nine Standards Rigg, near Kirkby Stephen

The North Pennines is one of England’s most special places – a peaceful, People and places unspoilt landscape with a rich history and vibrant natural beauty. It was The character of the North Pennines landscape is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988. inseparable from the people and places found Tumbling waterfalls, sweeping moorland views, dramatic dales, stone-built here. The differing nature of settlements, from villages, snaking stone walls and friendly faces – the North Pennines has the distinctive red sandstone villages at the foot all this and more! of the North Pennine escarpment to the white farms and barns of the Raby Estate in Teesdale, has a significant impact on landscape character. Beneath your feet Local traditions and other intangible elements The impressive landscape of the North Pennines – from also come together with wildlife, geology, soils s High Force on the River Tees to the sweeping valley of and climate to form the essence of the North Dufton High Cup Gill above Dufton – are the product of millions Pennines landscape. Past, present and future generations of people are also of years of geological processes. The worldwide fundamental to an appreciation of the area’s rich cultural heritage. significance of the geology found here is recognised by

the fact that the North Pennines AONB is also a UNESCO- Plants and animals ©Val Wilson endorsed Global Geopark. pages 43-44 The area is famous for the variety and profusion s Frosterley Marble at of plants and animals found here. Eighty percent Past times Harehope Quarry of the AONB benefits from the continuation of About 12,000 people live in the North Pennines today – less than half the less intensive and more traditional farming number who lived here 150 years ago in the heyday of the lead mining industry. practices, which means that large tracts of the The rise and fall of mining has left an indelible imprint on the landscape, not area are still a haven for wildlife. pages 45-47 just in terms of the physical remains but also in the pattern of local settlement. s The social history of the miner-farmers is also an intriguing element that Spring gentian contributes to the story of the North Pennines. page 48 Get involved Do you care about the North Pennines? The Friends of the North Pennines is a charity specially designed for people who are passionate about looking after, and celebrating what’s special about the area. Find out how to join and more information at www.friendsofthenorthpennines.org.uk l [email protected]

s Leading the hay by cart (near Bowes) in the 1920s. Courtesy of the Parkin Raine Collection

4 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 5 © BrianRafferty Dark skies Fact ﬁle The North Pennines has some of the darkest skies in the country, a result of the area being one of the most remote places in In the North Pennines you’ll ﬁnd: England. It sits away from the large urban cities of the North East • Peace, tranquility and fabulous night skies making it a great place to make the most of the dark night skies. • England’s biggest waterfall The AONB Partnership has worked with partners at • Almost 40% of the UK’s upland hay meadows the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, to designate 13 Dark Sky Discovery Sites across the North Pennines. • 30% of England’s upland heathland and 27% of its Sites include Allendale Golf Course in Northumberland, blanket bog Grassholme, Hury, Selset, Balderhead and Cow Green • 80% of England’s black grouse reservoirs in Teesdale, Burnhope Reservoir in Weardale • Short-eared owl, ring ouzel, snipe and redshank and Clesketts Car Park in Cumbria.

• 36% of the AONB designated as Sites of Special Find out more about all our Dark Sky Discovery Scientiﬁc Interest Sites at www.explorenorthpennines.org.uk l click s Startrails taken at the on Stargazing • Red squirrels, otters and rare arctic alpine plants Allendale Golf Course Dark • 22,000 pairs of breeding wading birds Sky Discovery Site © Andy Gray

Who looks after the AONB? Local communities, landowners, farmers and estate managers look after the Bowlees Visitor Centre North Pennines. These people have helped shape the landscape for centuries and With world-famous waterfalls and the Pennine Way as its this continues today. Everyone who has an interest in the North Pennines has a neighbours, Bowlees Visitor Centre in Upper Teesdale C3 responsibility to care for the AONB. is the perfect base for discovering the special qualities of The North Pennines AONB Partnership, an alliance of 21 public, statutory and the North Pennines AONB. You’re also sure of a warm voluntary sector bodies, also helps to look after the area. The work of the welcome at Café 1618@Bowlees. Partnership is carried out by its Staff Team, based in Stanhope C2 . The Staff Team Surrounded by stunning woodland, alongside the River takes action to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, to raise Tees, our recently refurbished centre is the ideal spot to awareness of its special qualities and to improve the quality of life for local people. experience the changing seasons of the beautiful British countryside. Follow the work of the AONB Partnership on twitter.com/NorthPennAONB Staffed by the team from the facebook.com/NorthPenninesAONB AONB Partnership, it’s a great place to discover more about s Discover Teesdale and The aim of AONB designation is to look after the North Pennines, where the wildlife which our finest landscapes, not just for now, but the best walks are and how ﬁnds a home there also for our children’s children to cherish you can make the most of and enjoy. www.landscapesforlife.org.uk this fantastic part of England. s Get closer to nature on pages 28, 51 our events and activities

6 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 7 Looking after the North Pennines Be a green visitor! s Teesdale Follow the Countryside Code and the Moorland Visitor's Code Whatever you do, and however you do it, you're sure to have an impact on the environment! By making some positive choices during your visit www.naturalengland.org you can be 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 that the Stay local, eat local countryside is protected for future generations to enjoy. and buy local! • Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs can be left black, scarred, prone to erosion Support local producers and services and devoid of wildlife for decades. • Leave gates and property as you find them during your stay in the North • Never light fires on moorland - not even Pennines. If you visit farmers' markets, • Protect plants and animals, and take gas stoves or barbecues your litter home village shops, pubs, cafes and • During periods of high fire risk respect all restaurants you'll meet local people • Keep dogs under close control warning signs and help to support the local economy. • Consider other people Controlled burning page 15 l pages 16-25 for weblinks with • Prevent uncontrolled Carefully planned small-scale heather information on places to stay moorland fires burning by trained gamekeepers, farmers and shepherds is used to Why not also support one of the Smoldering cigarette ends, discarded encourage fresh shoots of heather many local shows that’ll you’ll find in s bottles and dropped matches can all where it has grown old. This light, Hexham Farmers’ Market cause uncontrolled fires on moors - the area during the summer months? surface burning ensures food for red particularly during the spring and grouse and sheep and creates the page 14 Green Tourism businesses are on a summer. Serious, deep-seated fires are diversity of habitats that moorland birds journey, they have not reached fatal to important animals and plants rely on. Between 1 October and 15 April Support green businesses perfection but they are focused on and devasting to controlled burning takes place - so be the landscape. Tourism businesses in and around the being sustainable, responsible and aware of this. Please report any fires Following severe seen on moorland outside these dates to North Pennines AONB, from B&Bs and green. This is demonstrated through wild fires, our the fire service immediately, and if three grading levels: Bronze, Silver self-catering cottages to hotels and unique moorlands possible, the nearest dwelling. visitor attractions, hold awards in the and Gold. nationally recognised Green Tourism Every two years Green Tourism Reduce, reuse, recycle Scheme. Throughout this guide Members are visited and assessed by a Help the environment by refusing packaging and bags that you don't need and you’ll find businesses with qualified professional to ensure that by using recycling banks in the area. If you can recycle glass, cans, paper and the award by looking out standards are maintained. plastics where you are staying then even better. for the logo. Find out more Switch off www.green-tourism.com Whilst you are relaxing and getting away from it all in the North Pennines, please switch off lights and standby buttons when you don't need them. Help reduce water consumption by just using the water that you need.

8 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 9 About the North Pennines Finding out more Give your car a break! Walking, cycling and horse riding are some of the best ways to discover the Alston Haltwhistle Alston Local Links, Haltwhistle Library, Mechanics splendour of the North Pennines landscape. Try exploring near to where Town Hall, Front Street, Alston, Institute, Westgate, Haltwhistle you are staying. Why not stay overnight rather than making day visits? Cumbria CA9 3RF Northumberland NE49 0AX e: [email protected] e:[email protected] If you do drive, please SLOW down! Sheep and their lambs (and birds) can be a t: 01434 382244 t: 01434 322002 w: www.visiteden.co.uk w: www.visitnorthumberland.com hazard on the area’s moorland roads. Even if you don't arrive in the North Pennines on public transport - why not consider giving your car a break for a day Appleby-in-Westmorland Hexham Moot Hall, Boroughgate, Appleby-in- Wentworth Car Park, Hexham or two whilst you're here? Westmorland, Cumbria CA16 6XE Northumberland NE46 1QE By train e: [email protected] e: [email protected] t: 017683 51177 t: 01670 620450 • Durham and Darlington on the East Coast main line w: www.applebytown.org.uk w: www.visitnorthumberland.com • Bishop Auckland on the branch line from Darlington Barnard Castle Killhope Museum • Brampton, Hexham, Haydon Bridge and Haltwhistle on the Newcastle to The Witham, 3 Horse Market, nr Cowshill, Upper Weardale, Co. Durham Carlisle line Barnard Castle, Co. Durham DL12 8LY DL13 1AR • Kirkby Stephen, Appleby, Langwathby and Carlisle on the Settle to Carlisle line & The Bowes Museum t: 03000 262626 • Penrith on the West Coast main line Barnard Castle, Co. Durham DL12 8NP t: 03000 262626 Kirkby Stephen • National Rail Enquiries: 08457 484950 l www.nationalrail.co.uk Upper Eden Visitor Centre, Market Street, Bishop Auckland Town Hall Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria CA17 4QN By bus Market Place, Bishop Auckland e: [email protected] • Traveline Northeast and Cumbria Co. Durham DL14 7NP t: 017683 71199 t: 03000 262626 www.travelinenortheast.info l 0871 2002233 (7am - 8pm, 7 days a week). Calls cost Middleton-in-Teesdale 10p per min, plus any charges your network provider makes Brampton 10 Market Place, Middleton-in-Teesdale Moot Hall, Brampton, Cumbria CA8 1RW Co. Durham DL12 0QG • National Express www.nationalexpress.com l 08717 818178 l 24hrs a day, 7 days a e:[email protected] t: 03000 262626 week, calls cost 10p a minute plus network extras t: 016977 3433 w: www.discovercarlisle.co.uk Penrith • Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland County Council websites Middlegate, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7PT www.cumbria.gov.uk l www.durham.gov.uk l www.northumberland.gov.uk Durham Visitor Contact Centre e: [email protected] e:[email protected] t: 01768 867466 t: 03000 262626. Text: ‘VISIT’, plus your w: www.visiteden.co.uk By bike enquiry, to 80011 (calls are charged at a local Bring your own or hire one once you're here pages 38-39 rate, mobiles may vary. Texts – standard network Stanhope charges apply) Durham Dales Centre, Castle Gardens On foot Skype:ThisisDurham Stanhope, Co. Durham DL13 2FJ w: www.thisisdurham.com Contact the nearest information centre page 11 to where you are staying t: 03000 262626 for details of local walk routes pages 34-37 l www.explorenorthpennines.org.uk Corbridge St. John’s Chapel Hill Street, Corbridge Chatterbox Cafe, Market Place, St. John’s Northumberland NE45 5AA Chapel, Weardale, Co. Durham DL13 1QF e:[email protected] t: 03000 262626 t: 01434 632815 w: www.visitnorthumberland.com

10 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 11 Celebrating our special place Out and about Events in the AONB Other events and activities

There are lots of exciting events across the North Pennines for you to As well as events organised by the AONB Partnership there are lots of be involved in. Whether you’re interested in the area’s geology, want to other organisations running all kinds of events and activities in and learn to identify some of our wild flowers, or want to head off for a around the North Pennines. long walk, there’s always something to whet your appetite. • Allendale Bakery. Bread making courses • Pennine Painting courses, Garrigill 2014 Highlights www.allendalebakery.com www.penninepainting.co.uk l • Allen Valleys Folk Festival. 3-5 Oct l 01434 01434 381092 Rock Weeks 683049 • Slack House Farm, Ireshopeburn (Weardale) To celebrate our world famous Earth heritage you’ll find lots • Durham Country Walks www.fleecewithaltitude.co.uk l of geologically themed events in late May and early June: page 36 01388 537292 l • Kids geology days at Killhope Museum [B2]B2 - pagePage 31 • The Garden Station, Langley slackhousefarm@fleecewithaltitude.co.uk – on 24 May and 7 June page 29 • Upper Teesdale Botany Group • A walk up to High Cup Nick [B3B3 on 27 May • Geltsdale RSPB Reserve Dr Margaret Bradshaw [email protected] • Rocks and Romans – a walk combining archaeology www.rspb.org.uk l 01697 746717 l and geology at Epiacum Roman Fort [B2B2 on 5 June [email protected] • Wild North Discovery • Killhope Museum & The Yurt @ Killhope www.natureholiday.co.uk l 01388 529154 l Wild about wildlife? [email protected] page 31 Fancy finding out about the birds or plants of the North • Haltwhistle Walking Festivals s Join us for our Bumblebee Pennines? page 36 • Bumblebee ID courses on 16 and 17 May ID courses Artists and Galleries • Harehope Quarry Project • Highlights Rural Touring Scheme • A 3 day wildflower ID course starting on 5 June page 30 www.highlightsnorth.co.uk • Wildflowers and Waders walk on 7 June • Gordon Lamb. Watercolour art courses • Find out about hoverflies on 17 July • Alston Craftworkers www.gallery-upstairs.co.uk l 01434 www.alstoncraftworkers.co.uk 675415 Batty about Bowlees? • Alston Artists • Make Recycled Craft Workshop, Whitfield There will be a different event at Bowlees Visitor Centre www.alstonartists.co.uk Village Pantry • Eden Arts [C3]C3 – Pagepage 28 28every month, starting with a willow www.makerecycledcraftworkshops. www.edenarts.co.uk workshop in April. There will be storytelling in August bigcartel.com • Teesdale Open Studios and September, wildlife days throughout the year and • Moor House–Upper Teesdale National www.teesdaleopenstudios.co.uk we’ll finish with a Christmas event on 13 December. Nature Reserve • Alex Clark@Lime Tree (Stanhope) & www.naturalengland.org.uk l 01833 622374 @Corbridge s High Cup Gill North Pennines Walking Festival • Natural History Society of Northumbria www.alexclarkshops.com • 27 September – 5 October Page 36 www.nhsn.ncl.ac.uk l 0191 2326386 l • Network & The Art Tour [email protected] www.networkartists.org.uk Booking • North Pennines Wool Group • NeST (gallery, studios, digital hub & cafe) www.barnardcastlenest.org.uk Book your place on AONB Partnership events at www.northpennines.org.uk or www.northpennineswool.org.uk call 01388 528801. Many events are advance booking only and there is usually • Allendale Forge Studios and Cafe • Northern Experience Wildlife Tours www.allendaleforgestudios.co.uk a small charge. www.northernexperiencewildlifetours.co.uk l 01670 827465 l [email protected]

12 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 13 Out and about Farmers’ markets Shows and fairs in the North Pennines

Agricultural shows and other fairs are an excellent day out for the whole Meet local farmers, growers and family, as well as being an opportunity to find out more about the rural producers and discover the way of life in the North Pennines. products which they themselves You’ll find stalls selling local produce and crafts; rural skills demonstrations; have grown, reared, caught, Greenhead animals from sheep, cattle and poultry to goats, guinea pigs and ducks; as well as brewed, pickled, baked, smoked 2nd Sun every month 10am-2pm programmes of events from sheep dog trials to pony fancy dress! Greenhead Village Hall, Greenhead B1 or processed! 016977 47448 10 May Nenthead Gala B2 [email protected] Barnard Castle www.hadrianswallfarmersmarket.co.uk 26 May Northumberland County Show D1 1st Sat every month 9.30am-3pm 1 June Eastgate Sheep Show, Weardale C2 On the cobbles, Market Place, Hexham 2nd and 4th Sat every month 9am-1.30pm 5-11 June Appleby Horse Fair* B3 Barnard Castle D4 (except Feb, St Mary’s Market Place, Hexham C1 7 June Allendale Show C1 Parish Hall) 07854 320519 www.barnardcastlefarmersmarket.co.uk 14 June Roman Wall Show (Twice Brewed) B1 [email protected] FARMA Certified (www.farma.org.uk) 28 June Alston Gala B2 www.hexhamfarmersmarket.co.uk 26 July Penrith Agricultural Show A3 Brampton FARMA Certified (www.farma.org.uk) 2 Aug Middleton-in-Teesdale Carnival C3 Last Sat every month 9am-1.30pm Middleton-in-Teesdale (except Dec – 3rd Sat) 3 Aug Gilsland Show B1 Last Sun every month, 10am-3pm. In front of the Moot Hall, Brampton A1 Outdoor market April-Sep: indoor market 9 Aug Slaley Show C1 Heather Tipler, 07871 403787 Oct-March at ‘UTASS’, above Co-op 16 Aug Appleby Agricultural Show B3 [email protected] Middleton-in-Teesdale C3 21 Aug Brough Agricultural Show B4 www.sustainablebrampton.org 01833 641000 25 Aug Blanchland and Hunstanworth Show C2 Brough [email protected] 25 Aug Garrigill Gala B2 3rd Sat every month (9.30am-12pm, Jan- www.middletonplus.org.uk 30 Aug Dufton Agricultural Show B3 March; 9.30am-2pm, April-Dec) Penrith 30 Aug Weardale Agricultural Show (St John’s Chapel) C2 Inside Brough Memorial Hall, Brough B4 3rd Tues monthly March-Dec 9.30am-2.30pm Jane Emmerson, 01768 480069 Market Square, Penrith A3 6 Sep High Forest Show, Allenheads C2 [email protected] Eden District Council, 01768 212150 B2 6 Sep Alston Agricultural Show www.broughfarmersmarket.org.uk [email protected] 6-7 Sep Wolsingham and Wear Valley Agricultural Show D2 FARMA Certified (www.farma.org.uk) www.eden.gov.uk 13 Sep Bowes Agricultural Show C4 13-14 Sep Stanhope Agricultural Show C2 Market days Useful links 20 Sep Eggleston Agricultural Show D3 The following towns have local markets: www.madeincumbria.co.uk 27 Sep Langdon Beck Show C3 Find out more about these shows Monday: Kirkby Stephen, Stanhope (Apr-Oct) www.lovefood.me * The Horse Fair is a traditional gypsy gathering and fairs from information centres Tuesday: Hexham, Penrith and NOT an organised event. People attend at their own risk. page 11 Wednesday: Barnard Castle, Brampton Thursday: Haltwhistle Saturday: Appleby

14 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 15 Allendale Area Guides Allen Valleys s West Allen Valley 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 This welcoming settlement is a great base for the Allen Valleys and with its central market square and its pubs, cafes, shops, art gallery • Allendale Forge Studios and Cafe C1 and walking/cycling opportunities is well worth a visit! www.allendaleforgestudios.co.uk l 01434 683975 Centre for arts, crafts and media The South Tyne Valley is a gloriously undiscovered place – the C1 tumbling river fringed with ancient woods, leading the eye to the wide, • Allen Mill www.allenmill.co.uk l 01434 683953 open moorland beyond. In the past the East and West Allen Valleys Culture and countryside – a unique mixture of shops, attractions were amongst the busiest in the North Pennines, supporting a and services s Whitﬁeld Village population almost ten times greater than today. • Allen Valleys Folk Festival Pantry 3-5 October l 01434 683049

• Allen Banks & Staward Gorge, National Trust B1 www.nationaltrust.org.uk l 01434 321888 Spectacular wooded gorge at Allen Banks. Relaxing waymarked woodland walks

• Allenheads C2 A peaceful village with a nature trail, cafe and pub. See the famous Armstrong water powered engine and visit the Old Blacksmith’s Shop and exhibition

• South Tynedale Railway B2 page 32

• South Tyne Trail www.northpennines.org.uk • The Garden Station page 29

• Whitﬁeld Village Pantry B1 www.whitﬁeldvillagepantry.co.uk l 01434 345709

• Greenhead Farmers’ Market A1 page 15 s Allendale Forge Studios and Cafe • Isaac’s Tea Trail www.northumberlandlife.org/teatrail Circular 36-mile long distance walk linking Allendale and Alston Further aﬁeld: • Hadrian’s Wall A1 - D1 www.visithadrianswall.co.uk l 01434 609700 • Northumberland National Park s The Hemmel www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk l 01434 605555 Coffee Shop, Allenheads Find out more and places to stay: www.northpennines.org.uk • www.exploreallenvalleys.org.uk • s Allen Banks & www.allenvalleys.com • www.visithadrianswall.co.uk • s Old Blacksmith’s Shop, Staward Gorge Allenheads www.visitnorthumberland.com Call or visit information centres in Haltwhistle or Hexham page 11

16 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 17 Area Guides Alston & the Cumbrian North Pennines s South Tyne Valley Places to visit, things to do: The countryside around Alston, England’s highest market town, provides • South Tynedale Railway B2 page 32 some of the area’s ﬁnest walking country – including the lofty Cross Fell Steam train rides along the gorgeous South Tyne Valley from Alston to Lintley and back – the highest English hill outside the Lake District. The striking North • High Cup Nick B3 Pennines escarpment is a dramatic backdrop to the attractive, red A classic walk from Dufton up to this stunning U-shaped valley sandstone-built, fellfoot villages. • High Cup Wines, Nr Dufton B3 www.highcupwines.co.uk l 017683 53714 Vineyard, winery and geology displays Alston is well worth a visit – a wealth of • The Hub Museum, Alston B2 page 30 small, independent shops await you, unspoilt Vibrant local history and transport museum street scenes and a choice of quality eateries • Brough Castle B4 www.english-heritage.org.uk to while away an hour or three! • Hartside Viewpoint & Cafe A2 01434 381036 • Rose House Gallery & Studio, Garrigill B2 www.penninepainting.co.uk l 01434 381092 s Talkin Tarn boat hire • Geltsdale RSPB Reserve A1 www.rspb.org.uk l 01697 746717 • Talkin Tarn Country Park A1 www.carlisle.gov.uk l 01228 817200 • The Poetry Path, nr Kirkby Stephen B4 call Upper Eden Visitor Centre on 017683 71199 for details

• Farmers’ markets at Brampton A1 , Brough B4 and Penrith A3 page 15

• The Village Bakery, Melmerby A2 www.village-bakery.com l 01768 898437 Organic cafe, bakery, bake shop and gallery

• St John’s Pool, Garrigill B2 www.stjohnspool.co.uk l 01434 382537 Swimming pool, sauna and a jaccuzi available for hire

• Epiacum Roman Fort B2 www.epiacumheritage.org l 01434 382080

• The Moody Baker, Alston B2 www.themoodybaker.co.uk l 01434 382003 s South Tynedale Railway Artisan baker Find out more and places to stay: • www.northpennines.org.uk • www.explorealstonmoor.org.uk • www.visiteden.co.uk • www.golakes.co.uk • www.cybermoor.org • www.discovercarlisle.co.uk • www.visithadrianswall.co.uk Call or visit information centres in Alston, Appleby, Kirkby Stephen, Penrith or Brampton page 11

s Alston

18 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 19 Area Guides Blanchland and the Upper Derwent s Derwent Reservoir The Derwent Valley is sometimes an overlooked corner of the North Pennines. The small village of Blanchland C2 , with its honey-coloured cottages, is perhaps the most attractive settlement in the whole of the North Pennines. Blanchland Places to visit, things to do: means the ‘white lands’ – almost certainly a reference to the white habits of the • Blanchland – former Abbey and village C2 Don’t miss the easy access path, created by the AONB Premonstratensian monks of the old Blanchland Abbey. Today the village, abbey Partnership, in Blanchland. Visit Shildon Engine House and surrounding countryside (accessible on an easy access path) are well worth • Derwent Reservoir D2 page 40 l www.nwl.co.uk a visit. Easy access path, created by the AONB Partnership and Downstream from Blanchland the flow of the River Derwent is interrupted Northumbrian Water, from Pow Hill Country Park to the dam and along the north side of the reservoir. s Cycling on the Derwent by the three mile long Derwent Reservoir. It was built in 1967 and is the Great traffic-free family cycling opportunity Reservoir path second largest reservoir in Northumberland. There is a choice of three • Pow Hill Country Park D2 www.durham.gov.uk l 03000 264589 excellent picnic sites on the banks of the reservoir – with trails (including easy access paths on both the south and north shores), bird hides, nature reserves and fishing opportunities to entice you to stay a while longer. Further afield: • Tanfield Railway www.tanfieldrailway.co.uk l 0845 4634938 Working steam railway – see the world’s oldest surviving railway bridge, Causey Arch • Beamish, the Living Museum of the North page 33 • Beamish Wild www.beamishwild.co.uk l 01207 233733 Woodland adventure park and ropes activity centre • Hexham Abbey C1 www.hexhamabbey.org.uk l 01434 602031 • Hexham Old Gaol C1 www.northumberland.gov.uk l 01434 652349 • Hexham Farmers’ Market C1 page 15 • Hadrian’s Wall A1 - D1 www.visithadrianswall.co.uk l 01434 609700 • Northumberland National Park www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk l 01434 605555 s The White Monk Tea Rooms, Blanchland

Find out more and places to stay: www.northpennines.org.uk • www.exploreblanchland.org.uk • www.blanchland.org www.visitnorthumberland.com • www.thisisdurham.com Call or visit the information centres in Hexham, Haltwhistle or Corbridge page 11

s Blanchland s Derwent Abbey Church Reservoir

20 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 21 Area Guides Teesdale s Low Force Teesdale is the most southerly of the Durham Dales. The sweep of the moors and Places to visit, things to do: crags of the upper dale have an unrivalled drama which many visitors come back • High ForceC3 page 30 & Low Force waterfalls C3 to savour time and time again. Raby Estate’s white farmhouses and barns are a • Bowlees Visitor Centre C3 pages 28 & 51 l www.visitbowlees.org.uk distinctive and memorable element in the landscape of Upper Teesdale and the Car park, toilets and walks to Gibson’s Cave and Low Force stunning spectacle that is England’s biggest waterfall – High Force – adds a • Eggleston Hall Gardens C3 page 29 vibrant natural beauty to the mix. • Newbiggin Methodist Chapel C3 page 31 Middleton-in-Teesdale is the ‘capital’ of the upper dale and is an • Moor House-Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve excellent base from which to explore the area. A few miles further up B3 www.naturalengland.org.uk l 01833 622374 the dale you’ll find Bowlees Visitor Centre, which is run by the AONB s Bowlees Visitor Partnership as a discovery centre for Upper Teesdale and the wider • Grassholme, Cow Green and other Northumbrian Water reservoirs B3 C3 C4 page 40 l www.nwl.co.uk Centre North Pennines www.visitbowlees.org.uk l pages 28 & 51 • Barnard Castle D4 and Middleton-in-Teesdale C3 Farmers’ Markets page 15 • Walks on the Teesdale Way and Pennine Way National Trail • Hannah’s Meadow nature reserve C4 www.durhamwt.co.uk l 0191 5843112 • Ark on the Edge D3 page 28

s Middleton-in-Teesdale

Further aﬁeld: s Baldersdale • The castle at Barnard Castle D4 www.english-heritage.org.uk l 01833 638212 Set high above the River Tees – includes a fine great hall and round-towered keep

• Raby Castle D3 page 31 • Hamsterley Forest D3 page 30 Walks, traffic-free cycle tracks, visitor centre, orienteering • Bowes Museum D4 page 28 • Egglestone Abbey D4 www.english-heritage.org.uk The charming ruins of a small monastery set above a bend in the River Tees

Find out more and places to stay: www.northpennines.org.uk • www.exploreteesdale.org.uk • www.teesdalediscovery.com • www.thisisdurham.com s Gibson’s Cave, a short walk from Visit Middleton-in-Teesdale, the Witham or the Bowes Museum Visitor Information Points or Bowlees Visitor call the Durham Visitor Contact Centre page 11 Centre

22 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 23 Area Guides Weardale s Upper Weardale Places to visit, things to do: Weardale, one of the Durham Dales, was once the hunting ground of County Durham’s Prince Bishops. Eastgate and Westgate C2 marked the boundary of • Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum B2 page 31 Multi-award winning museum with many opportunities for hands on the Stanhope Deer Park where the famous ‘Great Chases’ were held. Weardale experiences of what life was like in the lead mines. Gift shop, cafe, impressive is also the source of a unique form of marble – known as Frosterley Marble. It’s underground tour, waterwheels, dazzling mineral/spar box exhibition, actually a type of limestone and when highly polished the fossilised remains of woodland trails & red squirrel hide corals are plain to see. • Weardale Museum and High House Chapel, Ireshopeburn C2 page 32 Independent folk museum telling Weardale’s story. Catch a glimpse of home Stanhope is the largest settlement in Upper Weardale. Don’t miss the life for lead miners a century ago spectacular fossilised tree stump (originally from a quarry near • The Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope C2 page 29 Edmundbyers D2 ) in the churchyard. Take a closer look into Ashes Information, tearooms, craft and gift shops Quarry, above Stanhope, by following the 2-mile self-guided walk • The Weardale Railway page 33 Available in the Durham Dales Centre & pages 49-50 The poet WH Auden loved the North Pennines, especially the area • Harehope Quarry Project D3 page 30 around Rookhope C2 . It was here in the lead mining landscapes of • Swimming Pools Weardale that he first felt his creative juices flowing. Weardale Open Air Swimming Pool, Stanhope C2 www.woaspa.co.uk l 01388 528466; Wolsingham Swimming Pool D2 01388 528198 s Roman altar, • Chatterbox Cafe, St. John’s Chapel C2 01388 537536 Eastgate Information, cafe and local arts/crafts

s Weardale Museum © Tom Nattrass

s Killhope Museum s Stanhope Fossil Tree

Find out more and places to stay: www.northpennines.org.uk • www.exploreweardale.org.uk • www.discoverweardale.com • www.goweardale.co.uk • www.thisisdurham.com Visit the Durham Dales Centre, Killhope or Chatterbox Cafe Visitor Information Points or call the Durham Visitor Contact Centre page 11

24 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 25 NORTHUMBERLAND A BCNATIONAL PARK D E

Haydon Corbridge Greenhead Haltwhistle Bardon Mill A69 Bridge A69 A69 HEXHAM PW BRAMPTON Allen R. Tyne Banks 1 Hallbankgate The Garden Talkin Tarn Station Country Park Lambley B6306 Slaley Halton-lea-Gate Viaduct Whitﬁeld A68 Talkin Allen Mill LAND Cold Fell Castle Carrock South Whitfield East Allen Allendale Tyne Moor Valley Pow Derwent R. Derwent Valley Beamish Museum SCOT Hexham Geltsdale RSPB Ninebanks Hill Resr Shotley Reserve Country Newcastle R. South Tyne A686 Tower Hexhamshire Shildon Bridge (12 miles) R. Eden R. East Park upon Tyne Slaggyford Ninebanks Common Engine House A689 R. West Cumrew B6295 CONSETT Carlisle Blanchland Allen Muggleswick Durham B6413 Derwent Edmundbyers West Allen Allen Grange Epiacum Valley Roman Fort Valley Castleside Lanchester Alston Penrith Middlesbrough Armathwaite Croglin South C2C Tynedale Allenheads Railway The Old Darlington C2C & The Hub Blackmith’s A68 A689 Shop Kendal 686 Stanhope 2 C2C A Nenthead Waskerley Common Resr. Garrigill Killhope Rookhope Durham Museum Dales Tunstall York M6 Cowshill Resr. Kirkoswald Hartside Centre Lazonby Wearhead St John’s Stanhope PW Burnhope Res. Eastgate Melmerby Fell Chapel Tow Law Ireshopeburn Frosterley Weardale Wolsingham B6412 Melmerby Westgate Museum Weardale Harehope Weardale Railway Crook 0 246810km R. Tee Quarry R. Wear Cross Fell s B62 Langwathby Great Dun Fell 77 Bollihope Common Cow Green 0246810milesN PENRITH B62 Reservoir A688 Blencarn 78 Langdon Beck Moor House - A66 A689 Upper Teesdale Bowlees Visitor Centre Hamsterley Forest NNR Newbiggin AONB boundary PW High Force Chapel Rheged Knock Cauldron Low Force A road Snout Te Middleton-in-Teesdale Woodland BISHOP 3 esdale West Dufton Auckland AUCKLAND B road High Cup Nick Ark on the Edge Minor road A68 Romaldkirk Hilton B6276 Grassholme Raby Castle railway & station Appleby-in- Resr. Selset Staindrop Westmorland Resr. Cotherstone A688 Hury Tourist Information Centre Stainmore Resr. Common Blackton A67 Pennine Way North Balderhead Resr. Resr. Brough Stainmore A67 BARNARD ees Bowes CASTLE Coast to Coast Cycle Route (C2C) Museum R. T

A66 YHA Youth Hostel Bowes A66 R. Greta Hadrian’s Wall Kirkby PW 4 Stephen Nine Standards Rigg Please note that not all roads and YORKSHIRE DALES A685 settlements are included on this map NATIONAL PARK ©Crown Copyright. all rights reserved. Durham County Council. LA100049055. 2014.

26 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 27 Out and about Attractions in the North Pennines s Hay meadows near Bowlees

Discover the area’s lead mining heritage at Killhope – the North of England Lead

Mining Museum and in the Weardale Museum. Wonder at High Force and take a Durham Dales Centre C2 ride on the Weardale Railway or the South Tynedale Railway. Explore Hamsterley A large tearoom provides an extensive menu of hot and cold Forest, discover the Bowlees Visitor Centre and the Hub Museum or relax meals. Speciality craft and gift awhile in the Garden Station or Eggleston Hall Gardens. shops offer unique individual pieces as well as OS maps and local books. A visitor information • The grid references eg D3 refer to the map on the centre spread pages 26 & 27 The Garden Station C1 point offers an array of leaflets. Woodland garden and beautifully Coaches welcome. © Mike Kipling, The Bowes Museum restored wooden Victorian railway station on the former Hexham - Ark on the Edge D3 Bowlees Visitor Centre C3 Castle Gardens, Stanhope Allendale railway. Enjoy: a garden Ark on the Edge is an animal Run by the AONB Partnership, this Bishop Auckland of beauty and peace; a lovely Co. Durham DL13 2FJ rescue centre and sanctuary and is the perfect base for exploring the muddy woodland walk; artworks 01388 527650 has a fully equipped wildlife natural beauty of Upper Teesdale. t: inside and outside the station; a education centre and a mile-long Close to the Pennine Way and both e: [email protected] w: www.durhamdalescentre.co.uk fabulous earth-friendly Fairtrade nature trail. The centre offers Low and High Force waterfalls. cafe; and a wide range of day courses in animal care and group You’ll find advice and displays on Opening times courses. visits are welcome. It is open for walks, wildlife, geology and other • Apr-Oct: Daily 9am-5pm Eggleston Hall Gardens C3 the public to visit, see the local attractions. Cafe1618@Bowlees • Nov-Mar: Daily 9am-4pm Four acres of gardens and nursery. animals, walk the nature trail, or has a varied menu perfect for • Closed Christmas and New Year Langley on Tyne, Hexham you can do a spot of pond The Bowes Museum D4 16th century churchyard with Northumberland NE47 5LA walkers. Car park, accessible Entrance fees dipping. Ark on the Edge ruined chapel and rare plants, t. 01434 684391 This fabulous French style château parking, an electric car charge point, • Free entrance welcomes disabled visitors, call has had a £12m makeover, toilets, local art, gift shop, a picnic moorland stream, winding paths, e. [email protected] for details. bringing it singing and dancing area, woodland trails and events. and many interesting plants for w. www.thegardenstation.co.uk sale. Malcolm Hockham, who runs into the 21st Century. Stunning Opening times the gardens, is one of the best new galleries contain an amazing • See website or call for details Woolley Hill Farm, Woodland collection of fine and decorative Bowlees, Newbiggin, Middleton-in- known horticulturalists in the Co. Durham DL13 5RX arts, complemented by exhibitions, Teesdale, Co. Durham DL12 0XE North of England. In addition to Entrance fees t. 01833 630505 a varied programme of activities, t. 01833 622145 these gardens Malcolm also has a • Free entry, donations invited e. [email protected] fine dining and shopping, all e. [email protected] small private nursery (open 14 days w. www.arkontheedge.org.uk making for a wonderful day out. w. www.visitbowlees.org.uk per year) at which many rare and /visitbowlees unusual plants are kept for Opening times @VisitBowlees • Normally open all week propagation and collections • Ring to check if travelling far The Bowes Museum, Barnard Opening times throughout the country. Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 8NP • Group visits can be arranged • 15/02/14-23/02/14: Daily, 10am-4pm t. 01833 690606 • 01/03/14-31/03/14: Daily, 10am-4pm Entrance fees e. [email protected] • 01/04/14-31/10/14: Daily, 9am-6pm • Free entry & parking – donations w. www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk • 01/11/14-04/01/15: Sat & Sun, 10am- Eggleston, Barnard Castle welcome 4pm Co. Durham DL12 0AG Opening times t. 01833 650230 • Open daily 10am-5pm Entrance fees e. [email protected] Closed 25, 26 Dec & 1 Jan • Free entry – donations welcome w. www.egglestonhallgardens.co.uk www.plantsmanscorner.co.uk Entrance fees • Adults £9.50, concessions £8.50, Opening times children free (under 16), carers free. • See website or call for details 6 months pass £14 • Free access to cafe, shop and grounds Entrance fees • Admissions are donation inclusive • £2.50 adults, children free, dogs and can be Gift Aided must be on leads © The Garden Station

28 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 29 Out and about Attractions in the North Pennines s Killhope Museum

Killhope, the North of EnglandB2 Raby Castle D3 © Harehope Quarry Project Lead Mining Museum One of England’s finest medieval Killhope is a multi-award winning castles and home to Lord Barnard’s D3 High Force Waterfall C3 Hamsterley Forest Victorian mining museum, family since 1626, Raby Castle is One of England's largest waterfalls, County Durham’s largest forest, offering a grand day out for all surrounded by beautiful the River Tees suddenly and Hamsterley has a mixture of the family. One of our guides will countryside. Discover fabulous spectacularly drops 70 feet (21m) deciduous woodland, meadows take you on an unforgettable interiors, artworks and history. into a plunge pool below. A and coniferous woods. It combines mine tour of Park Level Mine. Explore the 200 acre deer park, woodland walk leads you to this commercial forestry with a variety Find your own minerals as you walled gardens and woodland play breath taking sight. With of natural habitats. You’ll find work as a washerboy. Working area. Visit the tearoom and gift Harehope Quarry Project D3 picturesque picnic areas and car walking, cycling and horse riding water wheels. Coming in 2014 shop or one of many family events. The Harehope Quarry Project park, High Force is surrounded by trails. Additional facilities include brand new exhibitions in the aims to demonstrate and promote stunning scenery in the North toilets, cafe, adventure play area, visitor centre and buddle house a more sustainable way of living. Pennines Area of Outstanding cycle hire and a downhill and water play. Walk the Staindrop The project runs an eco- Natural Beauty. Co. Durham DL2 3AH mountain bike course. woodland trails to see our red classroom, from which it runs t. 01833 660202 squirrels. Visit the shop and cafe environmental education, field e. [email protected] to complete your great day out. 1 w. www.rabycastle.com Hamsterley Forest studies and education for Upper Teesdale - on B6277,⁄2 4 Redford, Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland, miles NW of Middleton-in-Teesdale sustainable development, a small Opening times Co. Durham DL13 3NL t. 01833 622209 holding and a nature reserve with • 19/04 onwards, May, June and e. [email protected] t. 01388 488312 permissive access for the public. Nr Cowshill, Upper Weardale September: Sun to Wed (guided tours w. www.highforcewaterfall.com Co. Durham DL13 1AR (A689) e. [email protected] There is an annual events Mon to Wed) t: 01388 537505 w. www.forestry.gov.uk/hamsterleyforest • July and August: Daily except Sat programme of courses, Opening times e: [email protected] celebrations and environmental • Open throughout the year. During Opening times w: www.killhope.org.uk Entrance fees • Forest: Winter 8am-5pm; Summer activities for children and adverse weather conditions parts of the falls may not be accessible • Castle, park and gardens: Adults £10, 8am-8pm families. The eco-classroom can Opening times concessions £9, children (5-15yrs) £4.50 • 15-23/02/14, 01/04 - 02/11/14 daily: also be hired for meetings, events • Park and Gardens: Adults £6, Entrance fees Entrance fees 10.30am-5pm concessions £5, children (ages 5-15) • Visit website for latest prices and other activities. • Adult (16+) £1.50, Children (5-15yrs) £2.50 50p, over 60/concessions £1 Entrance fees (tickets valid 12 months) • Car Park £2 • Adults £7.50, child £4.20, concessions Newbiggin C3 • Coach parking fees for school parties £6.65 Methodist Chapel Harehope Quarry, Frosterley, apply – please book in advance. Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham Believed to be the world’s oldest DL13 2SG Methodist Chapel in continuous t: 01388 528599 or 01388 528633 The Hub Museum B2 use, from 1759. Methodism and e: [email protected] local history displays. Exhibition Vibrant local history and transport w: www.harehopequarry.org.uk to be confirmed. museum, packed full of bygone Opening times forms of transport and delightful • Permissive paths to the east and snippets of local history. Next to Newbiggin, Middleton-in-Teesdale west ends of the quarry are open South Tynedale Railway in Alston. Co. Durham DL12 0TY at any time t: 07770 569714 • Community events programme e: [email protected] • Visits are strictly by prior Alston Goods Shed Trust, Alston, arrangement Cumbria CA9 3HN Opening times • Weds (2-4.30pm) • Eco-classroom can be booked for t: 01434 381609 events and activities. Note that May Bank-Aug Bank hol the classroom is closed at other Opening times • At other times the key may be obtained times • Call for details from Bowlees Visitor Centre & Alston Road Garage (Middleton-in-Teesdale). A Entrance fees Entrance fees full list of key holders is displayed • Costs of events and activities vary • £1.50 outside the chapel.

Attractions further aﬁeld © J. Lewins © Beamish Museum

© Tom Nattrass © Tom Beamish Museum E1 In 300 acres of beautiful countryside, Beamish Museum Do you care about the North vividly brings the senses alive. See Pennines? Why not join the for yourself what life was like Friends – a charity specially during Georgian, Victorian and designed for people who are Edwardian times and visit the passionate about looking after houses, shops and other buildings and celebrating the special that have been rebuilt and C2 qualities of the area. Weardale Museum furnished as they once were for an & High House Chapel Membership beneﬁts: eye-opening experience. You’ll This highly commended volunteer- South Tynedale Railway B2 • Members only events and find Beamish just 12 miles east of run museum is packed with Castleside [D2]. Enjoy a scenic ride through the volunteering opportunities fascinating new displays and stories stunning South Tyne Valley from • Three e-newsletters a year D2 of Weardale’s heritage including Alston to Kirkhaugh or Lintley. • Opportunities to meet like- Weardale Railway Rheged Centre A3 The Weardale Tapestry, a beautiful Beamish Museum, Beamish Leave the train for a walk on the minded people 16ft free-style embroidery. Trains meander through the Co. Durham DH9 0RG Just off M6 (J40) at Penrith, South Tyne Trail. Bring a picnic or • 50% discount on AONB Adjoining the museum is the stunning Weardale countryside, t: 0191 3704000 Rheged is housed under a unique Partnership publications sample our cafe at Alston Station historic High House Chapel. Built in alongside the River Wear between e: [email protected] grass roof. It is home to a leading where there is free parking and a More information & how to join: Gallery with art and photography 1760, it is the oldest Methodist Bishop AucklandE3[E3] and Stanhope w: www.beamish.org.uk gift shop just minutes from the [C2]. A range of themed special exhibitions, giant 3D cinema, Chapel to have held continuous C2 town centre. Visit web for special Opening times: outdoor play, pottery painting and w: www.friendsofthenorthpennines.org.uk weekly services. The museum tells events are planned for 2014, • Visit website for details 10 individual shops which reflect events in 2014. e: [email protected] the story of Wesley's many visits to including: Premium dining trains; the region. As local farmers, our t: 07816 123841 Ireshopeburn and provides access Afternoon tea trains; Wild West Entrance fees: passion for home grown comes to the Chapel during Museum adventures; an Ales and rails • All year unlimited pass: £18 (adult); The Railway Station, Alston alive through our menus created hours. The Museum also holds a festival; Country and western ho £13.50 (60+); £10 (child); £13.50 Cumbria CA9 3JB (student); £47 (family 2+2); £33 (family by our local TV chef Peter Sidwell. vast Weardale genealogy resource - downs; the Polar Express; Murder t: 01434 381696 1+2) Year round events include childrens’ ring first to avoid disappointment. mystery dinners on the train; and 01434 382828 (Talking Timetable) • Mid-week winter discount day ticket theatre, cookery workshops, MLA Accredited Museum Royalty on the rails. Car parking, e: enquiries@south-tynedale- (Nov-March): £9 (adult); £6.75 (60+); £5 outdoor lectures and live streaming railway.org.uk cafe and gift shop are available at (child); £6.75 (student) of theatre, ballet and music. w: www.south-tynedale-railway.org.uk Stanhope Station, just a short walk from the town centre. Opening times Ireshopeburn, • 5/04-21/12/14 (not every day, check Co. Durham DL13 1HD Redhills, Penrith web/call for details): t: 01388 517433 Cumbria CA11 0DQ Alston depart: steam days 10.45am, e: [email protected] Stanhope Station,Stanhope, Weardale, t: 01768 868000 12.15pm, 2.15pm & 3.45pm; diesel Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham DL13 e: [email protected] days 11am, 1.30pm, 3pm w: www.weardalemuseum.co.uk 2YS w: www.rheged.com Opening times t: 01388 526203 & 08000 232383 Fares • Open 2pm-5pm w: www.weardale-railway.com Opening times: • Return to or from Lintley: Adults • Easter and Bank Holidays: 2pm-5pm • Every day 10am-5.30pm (except £10, children £4, family (2 adults & • 01/05/14-31/10/14: Wed-Sun, 2pm-5pm Opening times: Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New up to 3 children) £24 • Jul & Aug 2014: Daily, 2pm-5pm • Visit website or call for details Years Day • All return tickets include all-day travel • Show this ad at the ticket office and Entrance fees Fares: Entrance fees: claim a 10% discount • Adult £3, child 50p • Visit website or call for details • Free parking and entry to centre © Beamish Museum

32 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 33 Outdoor activities Outdoor activities Explore North Pennines Walking

If you crave big skies and the wide open, rolling views typical of Discover our mobile friendly, outdoor activity portal – moorland landscapes then the North Pennines is deﬁnitely for you! www.explorenorthpennines.org.uk – which helps you to create your own North Pennines adventure! The North Pennines is excellent for walking, from the wide open, rolling views of Activities the moorlands to pleasant riverside, meadow and woodland routes, there is something for all to enjoy. The Explore North Pennines website is packed with detailed information about activities and things to do in and around There are thousands of kilometres of rights of way, quiet the North Pennines. lanes and other routes along with tens of thousands of hectares of open access land. Self-guided trail publications, You can search for walking, cycling and horse riding routes, festivals and events all help you get out to discover our the best places to see our stunning landscapes and stunning wildlife and heritage. spectacular wildlife, attractions and numerous sites of geological and historical interest. Categories also include There are great self-guided walking trails available that will food trails, bird watching, climbing, fishing, stargazing and allow you to explore the North Pennines and find out more kayaking. You can also search by location, facilities about this wonderful landscape, including geology, hay s Climbing in the North s The North Pennines available, terrain and accessibility. meadows, birds and flowers. Most of the guides are free and Pennines © Alan Dougherty has some fabulous can be requested by post pages 49 & 50 . Many guides can woodland walks Interactive map also be downloaded from www.explorenorthpennines.org.ukwww.explorenorthpennines.org.uk l page 34 The results of your search are displayed on a useful interactive map. Just click on an icon and a window will open, providing you with information to help you go and Bowlees Visitor Centre (Teesdale) pages – Page 28 & 51 51 - is a great place to start your explore. Free downloads are available for some routes direct to your GPS device or walks in the North Pennines, including routes along the Pennine Way to Low and smartphone. High Force, and the Richard Watson Trail (the ‘Teesdale Bard’).

Landing pages Individual landing pages allow you to quickly check out exploring opportunities, activities and routes in different parts of the North Pennines AONB:

Allen Valleys www.exploreallenvalleys.org.uk Alston & the Cumbrian North Pennines www.explorealstonmoor.org.uk Blanchland & the Upper Derwent www.exploreblanchland.org.uk Teesdale www.exploreteesdale.org.uk Weardale www.exploreweardale.org.uk s Ashgill Force in the South Tyne Valley s Following the footsteps of the Teesdale Bard

34 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 35 Outdoor activities Outdoor activities Walking festivals and Rights and walk programmes responsibilities

Walking Festivals give you a great opportunity to enjoy a walking break Always follow the Countryside Code and Moorland Visitor’s Code. in and around the North Pennines, with the assurance and beneﬁt of page 9 being lead by experienced and knowledgeable local leaders. Walking your dog There are great places to walk your dog in the North Pennines and the law • North Pennines Walking Festival www.northpennineswalkingfestival.org.uk 27 September to 5 October requires you to keep them under close control at all times. All public footpaths, Great walking country…Great food… The North Pennines Walking Festival will combine bridleways and other rights of way are available to dog walkers. In addition, the two in one unforgettable programme for the 2014 festival. There will be a packed there are rights to walk dogs on some access land. Don’t forget to use a fixed programme of walks and events right across the AONB celebrating the best local produce lead no more than 2m long between 1 March and 31 July to limit breeding bird the hills and dales have to offer. Whether it’s a long hike or a short family ramble the 2nd Friends of the North Pennines-led walking festival promises lots to look forward to! disturbance. A large area of access land, in the North Pennines, has permanent dog restrictions due to management as grouse moors. • Haltwhistle Walking Festival Visit www.naturalengland.org.uk for more information on open access Spring - 26 April to 5 May Haltwhistle Challenge – 5 July The area is home to around 22,000 pairs of Autumn – 11-19 October breeding wading birds. As these birds are ground Two weeks of walking in the spring and autumn, nesting, they are extremely vulnerable to including themed walks and routes within the North disturbance by dogs. In spring moorland sheep Pennines AONB, plus a summer long-distance challenge event. are also lambing in the North Pennines – another reason to be extra careful with your dog. www.haltwhistlewalkingfestival.org.uk s Follow open access signs

Dogs and cattle s Allen Banks in the Cattle may be inquisitive and approach you if you have a dog. Avoid autumn 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 it go and retreat. In any other circumstances, dogs should be kept on a short lead near livestock.

• Durham Country Walks October to March and March to October www.durham.gov.uk/countryside l 03000 264589 l [email protected] Two 6 month programmes of guided walks run by Durham County Council’s Countryside Service, many within the North Pennines.

36 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 37 Outdoor activities Cycling s Blanchland s South Tyne Valley Packhorse Trail The North Pennines has some fantastic cycling. Routes vary from car- free level trails suitable for families to challenging moorland single track Cycle hire and steep minor road routes for experienced road cyclists. Allen Valleys Electric Bikes B1 - B2 C1 - C2 Pedalpushers A1 www.explorenorthpennines.org.uk for more details and downloadable routes. Hire Electric bike hire is coming to the Allen Contact Nick & Maggie Davis Valleys in Summer 2014. Contact AONB Address Lonnings End, Sandy Lonning, Packhorse Trails Five do-in-a-day routes for mountain bikers through the Partnership for details. Brampton, Cumbria CA8 1RA T. 01697 742387 / 07770 976187 spectacular scenery of the area following old lead packhorse routes, in a handy B3 Appleby Electric Bike Hire E. [email protected] high quality pack pages 49 & 50 Address Wild Rose Park, Ormside, Appleby- Hire Range of bikes available for road and in-Westmorland, Cumbria CA16 6EJ moderate off-road use. Childrens’ bikes and Wheels to the Wild Cycle Route Discover the geology and landscape of the T. 017683 51077 a tandem also available. Helmets, locks and E. [email protected] North Pennines on this 3 day (122km) cycle touring route. Includes three puncture repair kits included in hire. W. www.wildrose.co.uk mountain bike/hybrid day rides pages 49 & 50 Hire Electric bikes, 1 childrens trailer Wood ‘N’ Wheels D3 Becks Bikes C1 Contact Martin Stout Address Hamsterley Forest Cycle Centre, National Cycle Network Contact Linda or Tony Becks Redford, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham • C2C Cycle Route. The UK’s most popular challenge cycle route passes through Address Deneholme Country House, The Dene, Allendale, Hexham, Northumberland DL13 3NL the heart of the North Pennines. The 140 mile (79 traffic-free) route can be NE47 9PX T. 0333 8008222 (local cost from a landline and reduced cost from a mobile) or 0793 undertaken with a number of tour operators who will arrange accommodation T. 01434 618579 6490555 and transfer your bags www.c2c-guide.co.uk E. [email protected] E. [email protected] W. www.deneholme.com W. www.woodnwheels.org.uk • Walney to Wear (and Whitby) and the Pennine Cycleway also pass through the North Hire Mountain Hire Mountain – adults and children (down www.cyclingw2w.info l www.sustrans.org Pennines Inspiring Cycling to 16” wheel), tagalongs Contact Jason Taylor 2014 events Address Eden Valley, Cumbria T. 07887 764987 Shops & servicing • The Haydon Hundred. 7 June. 100km sportive starting from Haydon Bridge C1 , E. [email protected] ActivCycles – Corbridge C1 W. www.inspiringcycling.co.uk taking in some of the highest roads in the North Pennines. Also a 60k and a 20k T. 01434 632950 Hire Hybrids, delivery possible family route www.haydonhundred.co.uk W. www.activ-cycles.co.uk • Tour of the Reservoir. 12 & 13 April. A competitive road race round Derwent North Pennine Cycles B2 Arragon’s Cycle Centre – Penrith A3 Contact David & Pat Raeside Reservoir D2 – one of the British Cycling Premier calendar events through the T. 01768 890344 Address Old Post Office, Nenthead, Cumbria W. www.arragonscycles.com spectacular North Pennines landscape www.britishcycling.org.uk/events CA9 3PF C2C Bike Repairs – Nenthead B2 • Wiggle Hell of Hexham Sportive. 9 August. Three routes – 99, 86 and 52 miles – T. 01434 381324 E. [email protected] T. 07776 098915 & 01434 382194 C1 www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk starting from Hexham W. www.northpenninecycles.co.uk Spitﬁre Cycles – Barnard Castle D4 Hire Mountain, kids, tandem • Etape North Pennines. 20 July. 78 mile traffic free (closed road) sportive route that W. www.spitfirecycles.co.uk runs in the Durham Dales and the North Pennines www.etapepennines.co.uk T. 01833 690640

38 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 39 Outdoor activities Fishing s River Tees The North Pennines boasts some of the finest upland reservoirs and Rivers and lakes rivers, renowned for the quality of their fishing. Whether you want an Rivers and lakes in the North Pennines offer some of the best brown trout, sea trout and salmon fisheries in the country: almost guaranteed catch on stocked water, or want to pit yourself River South Tyne River Wear C2 against wild salmon, brown and sea trout – the North Pennines could be (Alston to Langley Viaduct) B2 (Stanhope Gauging Station to Rookhope Burn, the fishing destination for you. Alston and District Angling Association Eastgate) Fly and spinning only Weardale Fly Fishers Club Reservoirs Day and week permits from: Fly until 1 Sept then also worm and Northumbrian Water looks after lots of well stocked (rainbow and brown trout) Alston Post Office, Angel Inn (Alston) & spinning and attractive upland reservoirs, with average catches of between four and five Kirkstyle Inn (nr Slaggyford) Day permits from: fish. There are opportunities for coarse, fly and multi-bait fishing at Derwent D2 , River Tees C3 Stanhope Newsagents, Front Street, Stanhope Cow Green B3 , Selset C3 , Grassholme C3 , Balderhead C4 , Blackton C4 and Hury C3 (Upper Tees North Bank) Langley Dam C1 Raby Estate reservoirs across the North Pennines. (14 acre lake, off the A686 near Haydon Bridge) Fly only Fly only Day permits from: Find out more… Stocked regularly with rainbow, brown, Raines Ironmongers/Raby Estate Office in Request your free Northumbrian Water ‘Go Fishing Guide’: 0845 1550236 (Mon-Fri blue and tiger trout 9am-5pm) Middleton-in-Teesdale or shop at High Force l go-fi[email protected] l www.nwl.co.uk Various day permits and boat hire available River Eden www.langleydam.co.uk l 01434 688846 Have a go… Day fishing beats on the Eden and its If you fancy an introduction to the world of fly or multi-bait trout fishing for tributaries (voucher system) trout why not sign up for a ‘Try it day’ at Derwent Reservoir D2 ? http://gowild.edenriverstrust.org.uk l • Three-hour fishing lesson – all tackle provided 01768 866788 • Call Derwent Reservoir Lodge on 01207 255250 for details and to book River Tyne: Tyne Angling Passport Voucher system for day fishing beats on the Tyne and its tributaries www.tyneriverstrust.org s Langley Dam

For further information on river fisheries, including regional guides Environment Agency on 03708 506506 or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk Rod licences Any angler (12 years and over) fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels s Derwent Reservoir s New Mills Trout Farm must have an Environment Agency rod licence. Your licence fee helps fund Family fishing 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 0844 800 5386 or visit • Bessy Beck Trout Fishery, near Kirkby Stephen B4 l 015396 23303 l www.environment-agency.gov.uk www.bessybecktrout.co.uk • New Mills Trout Farm, near Brampton A1 l 016977 41115 l www.newmillstroutfarm.net

40 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 41 Outdoor activities Landscape foundations Horse riding Geology and landscape

The North Pennines offers a range of opportunities for horse riding, Rocks are the building blocks of the wonderful North Pennine landscape. from leisurely, guided pony rides for beginners to technical upland The area’s fells and dales, and the rocks, minerals and fossils of which pages 49 & 50 hacks across historic packhorse trails for the more they are made, tell a fascinating story – one which stretches back experienced. hundreds of millions of years.

Riding centres & services © Yvonne Conchie Stories in stone Bank House Equestrian A3 Over the past 500 million years the North Pennines has travelled over the surface of Contact Ray and Nancy Atkinson the globe and been shaped by many environments and processes. Volcanoes, tropical Address Bank House, Little Salkeld, Penrith, seas, rainforests, molten rock, deserts and ice sheets have all helped create today’s Cumbria CA10 1NN landscape. By exploring the fells and dales, you’ll discover the North Pennines’ T. 01768 881257 / 07878 536892 E. [email protected] remarkable journey through time, and a rich industrial heritage linked to the area’s W. www.bankhouseequestrian.co.uk rocks and minerals. About Lessons, indoor/outdoor arena hire, livery, rider accommodation, overnight Reading the Rocks stabling Find out more about this fascinating story and the way people have Hamsterley Riding School D3 Contact Judy Dennis used the area’s rocks and minerals in a colourful 48-page book: Address Dixon Carr Farm, Hamsterley, ‘Reading the Rocks’. We also have a range of geologically themed Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham DL13 3NH leaflets and ‘geotrail’ leaflets to help you explore North Pennine T. 01388 488328 or 07774 971423 About Trekking, lessons geology and landscape. Pages 49-50 s Sinderhope Trekking Centre Raygill Equestrian Centre D4 World-class! Contact Adam Wall Sinderhope Trekking Centre C2 As well as being an AONB the North Pennines is Britain’s first European Address Raygill Farm, Lartington, Barnard Contact Lisa or Robert Philipson Castle, Co. Durham DL12 9DG Address High Sinderhope, Sinderhope, Geopark and a founding member of the Global Geoparks Network. The area was T. 01833 690118 or 07740 072709 Allendale, Northumberland NE47 9SH awarded UNESCO-endorsed Geopark status in 2003. The North Pennines is one E. [email protected] T. 01434 685266 of seven Geoparks in the UK. Geoparks are places with outstanding geology W. www.raygillequestrian.co.uk E. [email protected] About Livery W. www.sinderhopeponytrekking.co.uk where special effort is made to make the most of Earth heritage through About Trekking, lessons, indoor arena hire interpretation, education, conservation and tourism.

West Hoppyland Trekking Centre D3 www.northpennines.org.uk Contact Carole or Bill Atkinson www.europeangeoparks.org Address West Hoppyland Farm, Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham DL13 3NP www.globalgeopark.org T. 01388 488196 or 07738 269134 E. [email protected] W. www.westhoppyland.com About Trekking, livery s Hamsterley Packhorse Trail

42 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 43 Nature watching Hay meadows s s God’s Bridge near Bowes s Allen Banks s High Cup Gill Globeﬂowers in Upper Teesdale

Geological highlights The North Pennines supports an unusual and special type of ﬂower-rich grassland – upland hay meadow. To enjoy our meadows at their best, The North Pennines has a wealth of wonderful geological features to discover. Here are just ten suggestions for places where you can explore some of the area’s time your visit between June and July. fantastic rocks, fossils, minerals, mining heritage and glacial landscapes. Ancient origins Kaleidoscope 1 Explore Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum and admire These meadows have evolved through A North Pennines meadow in full superb local minerals page 31 generations of traditional farm bloom is a feast for the senses. Each management. Their ancient origins year as spring and summer progress 2 Allenheads is full of reminders of a mining past. Visit the displays in the lie rooted in the woodland glades of the different plants create a subtly page 17 Blacksmith’s Shop the prehistoric wildwoods that once shifting kaleidoscope of colours. The 3 Hike up to High Cup Gill, a stunning valley ringed by cliffs of the Whin Sill. shrouded our landscape. As early white of pignut blends into the yellow High Cup Winery at Dufton has a geology display page 19 people established settlements and of meadow buttercup; this then slips began to harvest forage for their through to the pink of red clover, High Force and Low Force are dramatic waterfalls over the Whin Sill. Find 4 livestock, these glades were gradually wood crane’s-bill’s deep magenta and out more about Teesdale’s landscape at Bowlees Visitor Centre page 28 opened up and converted into large the soft lemon of hay rattle; the 5 At Allen Banks sandstone cliffs tower over a lovely wooded gorge page 17 meadows. This long history is evident season ends with the blood-red today in the names of some of the blooms of great burnet and the Talkin Tarn formed from a huge chunk of ice which was stranded after the 6 most characteristic plants of our delicate dancing heads of the grasses. ice age page 19 upland hay meadows like wood 7 Discover the ‘Sugar Limestone’ near Cow Green Reservoir. Find out more in crane’s-bill and wood anemone. Distinctive the Geology Room at Langdon Beck Hotel page 22 Less than 900ha of upland hay 8 Visit Harehope Quarry to see Frosterley Marble page 30 meadows remain in the UK. Despite this, in the North Pennines they are still 9 The fossil tree stump in Stanhope Market Place is 320 million years old a distinctive feature of the landscape 10 God’s Bridge near Bowes is a natural limestone bridge which is probably the with 40% of the UK’s remaining upland relic of a collapsed cave system. meadows found here (350ha). The very best meadows can support 30 different plant species within just one square metre and this diversity of flowers in turn provides a rich and varied source of food for nectar-feeding wildlife like bumblebees. s Hay meadow rich in knapweed

s High Force waterfall, s Stanhope Fossil Tree, s Frosterley Marble at Teesdale Weardale Harehope

44 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 45 Nature watching Nature watching Birds Moorlands s Pied-ﬂycatcher s Common sandpiper s Bog asphodel s Cottongrass

In spring and summer our moors, pastures and woodlands are alive with The moorlands of the North Pennines are home to some of our rarest bird songs and displays. Even in the depths of winter you can spot hardy wildlife. They also have a sense of tranquility and remoteness found in species like the red grouse, snipe and dipper. few other places in the country. The landscape of the North Pennines The North Pennine moorlands cover Peaty facts: is an intricate mix of semi-natural Birdwatchers Code of Conduct over 90,000 hectares of wind swept habitats, all of which support their Birds are very vulnerable to and remote landscape, making them • When peat forms it locks in carbon contained in the plant matter – own special birds. Look out for… disturbance, especially during the the biggest continuous peatland in England. The deepest Pennine peat healthy, wet, peatlands are an High moors: golden plover, red breeding season (March-August). It is formed over 7,500 years ago making important carbon store that grouse, meadow pipit, dunlin, merlin, all too easy to inadvertently harm a mitigates against climate change bird or its young while trying to see moorlands some of England’s oldest short-eared owl ecosystems. • Peatlands in the UK store as much

them, so please follow our © BrianRafferty Grasslands: curlew, lapwing, carbon as the forests of the UK, birdwatchers code of conduct: redshank, snipe, skylark, wheatear, France and Germany combined! grey partridge • Keep to paths and tracks • Peat is a record of our past, Woodlands: pied flycatcher, redstart, • Keep dogs on a short lead recording changes in vegetation and climate and preserving wood warbler, woodcock • Avoid keeping birds from their archaeological remains nests, especially in cold or wet Rivers and streams: dipper, s Red grouse goosander, grey wagtail, common weather The AONB Partnership’s Peatscape sandpiper, oystercatcher • Don’t look for nests. All birds, Blanket bog Programme is restoring and conserving the internationally important peatlands Scrub, scree and crag: ring ouzel, nests and eggs are protected by law The North Pennines AONB contains 27% of England’s blanket bog. This is within the North Pennines. peregrine, whinchat If you’re planning to watch black an internationally protected type of grouse lekking, please follow the www.northpennines.org.uk One of our most iconic species, the peat habitat, found only in cool, wet additional advice at www.blackgrouse.info Request our peatland leaflets: black grouse, relies on a variety of regions. Since it began to form at the pages 49 & 50 l www.northpennines.org.uk North Pennine habitats at different end of the last ice age, blanket bog has (pdf ﬁles available to download) times of year, including heather helped shape the landscape of the moorland, scrubby woodland, cotton North Pennines and is now one of its grass bog and species rich pastures. principal ecosystems. Some of the special sights are swathes of white www.northpennines.org.uk cottongrass in June and the iconic purple of flowering heather in August into September. North Pennine moorlands are an important habitat for many types of birds and animals, including: dunlin, s Dipper s Snipe golden plover, red and black grouse, curlew, common lizard and adder. s Heather moorland near All images on this page © northeastwildlife.co.uk Edmundbyers

46 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 47 Historic environment Publication requests To help you get the most out of your visit to the North Pennines you can Discover the past order the selected publications listed below. Simply tick the relevant © English Heritage s Epiacum boxes and return the order form, with any payment required, to the address below: Current research, much of it by volunteers, is demonstrating that the North Pennines landscape contains many fascinating clues to the lives North Pennines AONB Partnership Weardale Business Centre of our ancestors over the past 10,000 years. The Old Co-op Building Past times 1 Martin Street The North Pennines landscape includes excavation of prehistoric landscapes, a Stanhope, Bishop Auckland a range of fascinating archaeological Roman fort, an Anglo-Saxon chapel, a County Durham DL13 2UY sites, ranging in date from enigmatic medieval castle, and several post- Your details 5,000 year-old Stone Age rock carvings, medieval industrial sites. Getting Title First name Surname through extensive late prehistoric and involved with the project is open to Address Roman agricultural landscapes to the anyone with an interest in the past. Postcode remnants of the internationally www.northpennines.org.uk important post-medieval lead industry. Day time tel Email address © PeterRyder The Roman fort of Epiacum, near Please tick if you would like to receive information about things to see and do in the North Pennines, www.epiacumheritage.org Alston is a the work of the AONB Partnership, Bowlees Visitor Centre, and how to get involved and we’ll be in particular highlight. Many North touch (note that we will not share your details with any other organisations) Pennine villages can trace their origins back to medieval times, when Publications are FREE unless otherwise stated vast tracts of the uplands were Walking managed as great hunting forests. Over the hill to Cowbyre Farm (Blanchland) Lead, silver and other resources have Newbiggin and the Carriers’ Way (Blanchland) been exploited here since Roman times, s St Botolphs Anglo-Saxon Chapel, Forest-in-Teesdale Storywalk if not earlier, leading eventually to the Frosterley, reconstruction by Derwent Reservoir – walks, rides and wildlife great post-medieval lead industry Peter Ryder based on Altogether which has left an extensive legacy of Archaeology excavations Geology and landscape abandoned mines, smelt mills, railways, Stanhope Fossil Tree reservoirs, leats and farmsteads within Allenheads Geotrail what is now referred to as a ‘miner- Dufton Geotrail farmer landscape’. Ashes Quarry Geotrail (Stanhope) Archaeology today Low Force Geotrail (Teesdale) Richard Watson Trail (Teesdale) Today, volunteers are studying many Allen Banks Geotrail aspects of this heritage through the AONB Partnership’s Heritage Lottery funded Altogether Archaeology project. s Volunteers excavating a Stone Age Recent work has included survey and site near Garrigill

48 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2014/15 49 Cycling Biking around Alston Events galore! Cycling in the South Tyne Valley Wheels to the Wild Cycle Route Bowlees Visitor Centre Free, but £1.50p&p cheques payable to ‘Durham County Council’

Peatlands Moorland Flowers, Grasses, Shrubs, Mosses and Lichens Identification Guide

General What’s Special about the North Pennines? We’ve got a range of exciting events planned for 2014 to capture the North Pennines News – Spring and Summer 2014 imagination of children and adults, alike. Water Voles in the North Pennines Last year we ran an array of events attracting people from near and far to the Young person’s guide to the wildlife of Upper Teesdale wonderful wilds of Upper Teesdale. We had batty bats, baking contests, butter churning, bird box building and the Great Bowlees Conker Competition, to name • Visit www.northpennines.org.uk and visit our Publications pages to access pdf a few. downloads of the above leaﬂets. You’ll also ﬁnd lots of them available on Springing into action www.explorenorthpennines.org.uk From the beginning of March we are open seven days a week. This is when our Paid for books and guides events calendar will spring into action, with a strong focus on the landscape of Reading the Rocks: Exploring the geology and landscape of the North Pennines the North Pennines and the wildlife that finds a home here. £8 (+£1.80p&p) cheques payable to ‘Friends of the North Pennines’ Events Slitt Wood and West Rigg Geotrail The Partnership Staff Team will be pulling out all the stops to put on some really £2 (free postage) cheques payable to ‘Friends of the North Pennines’ special events. And we’ll also be working alongside a host of partners, including people Packhorse Trails – for horse riders from RSPB Saltholme and Moor House-Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve. £6 (+£1.50p&p) cheques payable to ‘Friends of the North Pennines’ Packhorse Trails – for mountain bikers Highlights for 2014, include: £6 (+£1.50p&p) cheques payable to ‘Friends of the North Pennines’ • Willow Workshop – Sat 12 April The Quarrymen DVD • First Signs of Spring – Sat 17 May £9.99 (+£1.50p&p) cheques payable to ‘Durham County Council’ • Bowlees Birthday Bash & The Great ‘No five o’clock on our calendars’: A history of hay time in the North Pennines Nature Biohunt – Sat 28 June £6.99 (+£1.50p&p) cheques payable to ‘Durham County Council’ • Harvest Celebration – Sat 20 Sep • Wild Autumn – Sat 15 Nov

s Butter making with Jon Dunn from Café 1618@Bowlees

page 28 l www.visitbowlees.org.uk l Call 01833 622145 during opening times or 01388 528801

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