The North Pennines Pocket Guide 2012/13

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Inside… • Events & activities • Detailed maps & area guides • Nature watching • Local products & produce • Outdoor activities • Attractions North Pennines Pocket Guide 2012_Layout 1 14/03/2012 15:13 Page 2

Welcome to The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a stunning landscape of open heather moors, dramatic dales, tumbling upland rivers, wonderful woods, close-knit communities, glorious waterfalls, fantastic birds, colourful hay meadows, stone-built villages, intriguing imprints of a mining and industrial past, distinctive plants and much, much more. As well as being an AONB the North Pennines is also a European and Global Geopark.

Where is the North Pennines? The North Pennines is a distinctive landscape of high moorland and broad upland dales in the North of England. It shares a boundary with the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the south and extends as far as the Tyne Valley, just south of Hadrian’s Wall, in the north. Parts of the North Pennines AONB are in the three counties of Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland. See the map on the centre pages (34 & 35) for more detail. How to use this guide Map references Throughout the guide many attractions, places and other features have been given a map reference eg D2 C3 A1 . These refer to the map on the centre pages (34 & 35). Green Tourism Business Scheme Look out for the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) logos throughout the guide. Wherever you see one you can be sure that the business is committed to looking after the environment. See page 10 for more details or visit www.green-business.co.uk Where to stay You’ll find green accommodation providers, in and around the North Pennines, listed on page 8. There are other accommodation providers in the area – see page 9 for information on websites and publications which include accommodation listings.

Information is correct at the time of going to print (March 2012). Every effort has been made to ensure that information is accurate. However, the AONB Partnership and its Staff Unit cannot be held responsible for errors 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.

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s Weardale Contents Page A special place 4 Green places to stay 8 Finding accommodation 9 Be a green visitor 10 Reading the Rocks 13 Packhorse Trails 14 AONB Events 15 Rocky weekends 16 Other events & activities 17 Shows and fairs 18 Friends of the North Pennines 19 Local products & produce 21 Area guides 24 North Pennines map 34-35 Attractions 36 Discover the past 42 Nature watching - Reserves and WildWatch 44 - Moorlands 45 - Birds 46 - Hay meadows 48 - Geology and landscape 50 Outdoor activities - Walking 53 - Cycling 57 - Fishing 60 - Horse riding 62 Publication requests 63 Information centres 65

This publication is printed on 250/115 Front cover: South Tyne Valley taken from Knowe Head above Eals gsm Cocoon Silk: 100 post-consumer © NPAP/Andy Lees. All other unaccredited images are: © Natural recycled ﬁbre content, chlorine free England/Charlie Hedley, North Pennines AONB Partnership/Rebecca Maps used between pages 24 & 35 Barrett/Elizabeth Pickett/Chris Woodley-Stewart/K. Gibson/Shane are based on OS mapping © Crown Harris/Elﬁe Waren/Paul Frodsham/Charlie Hedley/Simon Copyright. All rights reserved. Durham Wilson/Louise Taylor/Andy Lees, Marcus Byron, Steve Parsley, County Council. LA 100049055. 2012. NERC, www.northeastwildlife.co.uk and Teesdale Marketing.

North Pennines AONB Partnership, Weardale Business Centre, The Old Co-op Building, 1 Martin St, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL13 2UY

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Introducing the North Pennines A special place

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 designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988. Tumbling waterfalls, sweeping moorland views, dramatic dales, stone-built villages, snaking stone walls and friendly faces – the North Pennines has all this and more!

Beneath your feet The impressive landscape of the North Pennines – from High Force on the River Tees to the sweeping valley of High Cup Gill above Dufton – are the product of millions of years of geological processes. The 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 the Global Geoparks Network. pages 50-52 s High Force Past times About 12,000 people live in the North Pennines today – less than half the number who lived here 150 years ago in the heyday of the lead mining industry. The rise and fall of mining has left an indelible imprint on the landscape, not just in terms of the physical remains but also in the pattern of local settlement. The social history of the miner-farmers is also an intriguing element that contributes to the story of the North Pennines. pages 42-43

s Hay meadow in Teesdale

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s Nine Standards Rigg, near Kirkby Stephen

People and places The character of the North Pennines landscape is inseparable from the people and places found here. The differing nature of settlements, from the distinctive red sandstone villages at the foot of the North Pennine escarpment to the white farms and barns of the Raby Estate in Teesdale, has a significant impact on landscape character. Local traditions and other intangible elements also come together with wildlife, geology, soils s and climate to form the essence of the North Hunstanworth Pennines landscape. Past, present and future generations of people are also fundamental to an appreciation of the area’s rich cultural heritage.

Plants and animals ©Val Wilson The area is famous for the variety and profusion of plants and animals found here. Eighty percent of the AONB benefits from the continuation of less intensive and more traditional farming practices, which means that large tracts of the area are still a haven for wildlife. pages 44-49

s Spring gentian New for 2012 The AONB Partnership will be re-opening Bowlees Visitor Centre C3 during 2012. Once opened it’ll be a great place to get to grips with Upper Teesdale and the wider North Pennines. We’re going to be adding a new cafe, improving the displays and information and upgrading the accessibility of the centre. Watch this space!

www.northpennines.org.uk for details Follow us on t. 01388 528801 @NorthPennAONB page 36 NorthPenninesAONB

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Who looks after the AONB? Local communities, landowners, farmers and estate managers look after the North Pennines. These people have helped shape the landscape for centuries and this continues today. Everyone who has an interest in the North Pennines has a responsibility to care for the AONB. The North Pennines AONB Partnership, an alliance of 24 public, statutory and voluntary sector bodies, also helps to look after the area. The work of the Partnership is carried out by its Staff Unit, based in Stanhope C2 . The Staff Unit takes action to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, to raise awareness of its special qualities and to improve the quality of life for local people.

Follow the work of the AONB Partnership on twitter.com/NorthPennAONB facebook.com/NorthPenninesAONB

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s High Force, Teesdale

AONB family The aim of AONB designation is to look after our finest landscapes not just for now but also for our children’s children to cherish and enjoy. There are 38 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales, covering 16% of the land area. The North Pennines covers almost 2,000 square kilometres and is the second largest member of this protected landscape family. In terms of landscape quality, the AONBs are recognised as the equal of our 15 National Parks and are given the same level of protection. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and National Parks were created by the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. Since the Act was passed, 50 AONBs and 15 National Parks have been designated: AONBs - 33 in England, four in Wales, one straddling the English/Welsh border and eight in Northern Ireland; National Parks – ten in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland. They are diverse in character: © Steve Parsley areas of lowland heath; upland mountains; gently rolling hills; coastal plain and shingle beaches; each containing unique and fascinating landscape features; and in size: the largest the Lake District National Park being 2,292 sq. km and the smallest The Isles of Scilly AONB at just 16 sq. km.

s Nidderdale AONB

To ﬁnd out more about the Protected Landscapes family Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: www.landscapesforlife.org.uk National Parks: www.nationalparks.gov.uk

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Accommodation Green places to stay

Some accommodation providers in the area have joined either the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) – green accreditation for quality tourism businesses, page 10 or have other green accreditation.

B&B • Beckleshele Cottage • Low Cornriggs Farm Lanehead, Weardale C2 Cowshill C2 (also self-catering) www.beckleshele.co.uk l 01388 537683 www.cornriggsfarm.co.uk l 01388 537600 • Brignall Mill • Dowfold House Nr Barnard Castle D4 Crook D3 www.brignallmill.co.uk l 01833 637726 www.dowfoldhouse.co.uk l 01388 762473 • Rock House Estate B2 • Greenwell Hill Cottages Nenthead Wolsingham D2 (also self-catering) www.rockhouseestate.co.uk l 01434 382684 www.greenwellfarm.co.uk l 01388 710350 • Milburn Grange Holiday Cottages Knock B3 Guesthouse www.milburngrange.co.uk l 01768 361867 • Lowbyer Manor Country House • Brokenheugh Lodge & Orchard Barn Alston B2 Haydon Bridge C1 www.lowbyer.com l 01434 381230 www.brokenheugh.co.uk l 01434 684206 • Cobblestone Barn Pub with rooms Melmerby A2 • The Miners Arms www.cobblestonebarn.co.uk l 01768 881915 Nenthead B2 • Cromer House Barn www.nenthead.com l 01434 381427 Frosterley D2 www.cromerhousebarn.co.uk l 01388 526632 Hotel Bunkhouse • Langley Castle Hotel • Carrs Farm Bunkhouse South of Haydon Bridge B1 Nr Wolsingham D2 www.langleycastle.com l 01434 688888 www.carrsfarm.co.uk l 01388 527373 l 07592 744649 Self-catering Group accommodation • East Briscoe Farm Cottages • Deneholme Country House Hotel Baldersdale C4 and Activity Centre www.eastbriscoe.co.uk l 01833 650087 Allendale C1 • Bradley Burn Cottages www.deneholme.com l 01434 618579 Nr Wolsingham D2 • Blackton Grange www.bradleyburn.co.uk l 01388 527285 Baldersdale C4 • Tottergill Farm Cottages www.blacktongrange.com l 07771 688014 Castle Carrock A1 Caravan park www.tottergill.co.uk l 01228 670615 • Allendale Caravan Park • Isaac’s Byre Allendale C1 Garrigill B2 www.allendale-holidays.co.uk l www.isaacsbyre.co.uk l 01434 381013 01434 683362

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s Dufton

Finding accommodation County Durham www.thisisdurham.com – search for accommodation in the Durham Dales (Teesdale, Weardale or Derwent Valley), plus money-saving offers on accommodation in the Durham Deals section www.teesdalediscovery.com www.discoverweardale.co.uk Contact: Middleton-in-Teesdale information centre to request a 2012 Teesdale Where to Stay Guide. Contact Stanhope information centre for Weardale information (page 67) Northumberland s Cromer House Barn, Frosterley www.visitnorthumberland.com – search for Cumbria accommodation in Hadrian’s Wall & North www.visiteden.co.uk – search for Pennines l the Northumberland Holiday Guide accommodation l request an Eden Visitor is available online or contact Hexham, Guide 2012 using the online form l contact Haltwhistle or Corbridge information centres Alston Local Links Information Centre (page 66) (page 65) www.golakes.co.uk – search and book accommodation within Cumbria. Click on www.golakes.co.uk/brochure-request.aspx to request a copy of the 2012 Holiday Guide or ﬁnd online l call 01539 822222 For accommodation in Carlisle District www.discovercarlisle.co.uk l call 01228 625600 l [email protected] – request a ‘2012 Historic Carlisle & Hadrian’s Wall s YHA Edmundbyers Country Holiday and Short Breaks Guide’ Youth Hostels There are six YHA Youth Hostels in the North Pennines: Kirkby Stephen B4 , Edmundbyers D2 , Langdon Beck C3 , Alston B2 , Ninebanks B2 and Dufton B3 . Visit www.yha.org.uk or call 01629 592700 ([email protected]) Baldersdale (Blackton Grange C4 ) is also available as an ‘Escape to’ (sole use) hostel along with the six hostels above – visit www.escape-to.co.uk

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Sustainable North Pennines Be a green visitor!

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 you can be conﬁdent that you are helping to look after this special place.

Stay local, eat local and buy local! Support local producers and services during your stay in the North Pennines. If you visit farmers' markets, village shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants you'll meet local people and help to support the local economy. pages 21-23

Why not also support one of the s Allendale Bakery many local shows that’ll you’ll find in the area during the summer months? To enter the GTBS, businesses need to page 18 demonstrate that they are: minimising their impact on the Support businesses that environment; communicating their support the environment green credentials to their customers; Tourism businesses in and around the and having a positive impact on their North Pennines AONB, from B&Bs and surroundings. To do this they self-catering cottages to hotels and implement practical measures visitor attractions, hold awards in the covering business management, nationally recognised Green Tourism communication, energy efficiency, Business Scheme (GTBS). water savings, waste reduction, green Throughout this guide purchasing, transport, and wildlife you’ll find businesses conservation. with a GTBS award by Find out more looking out for the logo. www.green-business.co.uk www.northpennines.org.uk

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s Teesdale Follow the Countryside Code and the Moorland Visitor's Code

www.naturalengland.org 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 countryside is protected for future generations to enjoy.

• Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs can be left black, scarred, prone to erosion and devoid of wildlife for decades. • Leave gates and property as you find them • Never light fires on moorland - not even • Protect plants and animals, and take gas stoves or barbecues your litter home • During periods of high fire risk respect all • Keep dogs under close control warning signs • Consider other people Controlled burning • Prevent uncontrolled Carefully planned small-scale heather moorland fires burning by trained gamekeepers, farmers and shepherds is used to Smoldering cigarette ends, discarded encourage fresh shoots of heather bottles and dropped matches can all where it has grown old. This light, cause uncontrolled fires on moors - surface burning ensures food for red particularly during the spring and grouse and sheep and creates the summer. Serious, deep-seated fires are diversity of habitats that moorland birds fatal to important animals and plants rely on. Between 1 October and 15 April and devasting to controlled burning takes place - so be the landscape. aware of this. Please report any fires Following severe seen on moorland outside these dates to wild fires, our the fire service immediately, and if unique moorlands possible, the nearest dwelling.

Reduce, reuse, recycle! Help the environment by refusing packaging and bags that you don't need and by using recycling banks in the area. If you can recycle glass, cans, paper and plastics where you are staying then even better! Switch off 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.

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Give your car a break! Walking, cycling and horse riding are some of the best ways to discover the splendour of the North Pennines landscape. Consider using public transport to travel to your start point – or try exploring near to where you are staying. Why not stay overnight rather than making day visits? If you do drive, please SLOW down! Sheep and their lambs (and birds) can be a hazard on the area’s moorland roads. Driving more slowly and smoothly will also help reduce your fuel consumption. Even if you don't arrive in the North Pennines on public transport - why not consider giving your car a break for a day or two whilst you're here? By train • Durham and Darlington on the East Coast main line • Bishop Auckland on the branch line from Darlington • Brampton, Hexham, Haydon Bridge and Haltwhistle on the Newcastle to Carlisle line • Kirkby Stephen, Appleby, Langwathby and Carlisle on the Settle to Carlisle line • Penrith on the West Coast main line • National Rail Enquiries: 08457 484950 l www.nationalrail.co.uk • The Weardale Railway runs heritage and special event services page 41 l www.weardale-raliway.org.uk By bus • Traveline Northeast and Cumbria www.travelinenortheast.info l 0871 2002233 (7am - 8pm, 7 days a week). Calls cost 10p per min, plus any charges your network provider makes

• National Express www.nationalexpress.com l 08717 818178 l 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, calls cost 10p a minute plus network extras • Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland County Council websites www.cumbria.gov.uk l www.durham.gov.uk l www.northumberland.gov.uk By bike Bring your own or hire one once you're here. pages 57-59 On foot Contact the nearest information centre pages 65-67 to where you are staying for details of local walk routes. pages 53-56

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An exciting new book! Reading the Rocks

Exploring the geology and landscape of the North Pennines This new 48-page book from the AONB Partnership tells the remarkable story of the North Pennine landscape and how it has evolved over many millions of years of Earth history. Discover how volcanoes, tropical seas, rainforests, molton rock, deserts, glaciers, miners and quarrymen have all helped create today’s landscape. Shaped by 500 million years of Earth history… The geological story of the North Pennines spans nearly 500 million years of Earth history and is incredibly varied. The rocks and landscapes reveal a story of volcanoes, tropical deltas, deserts and, in the more recent geological past, vast ice sheets. Molten rock became the Whin Sill whose hard dolerite now forms dramatic cliffs and waterfalls. And cutting through the fells and dales are veins of lead ore and other minerals, which crystallized deep underground from fluids heated by a hidden granite. The book includes colourful reconstructions of ancient environments, nuggets of geological information and suggestions of locations to visit. It shows how, by spotting clues in the landscape and ‘reading the rocks’, readers can explore the North Pennines’ incredible journey through time. Woven through the story are the ways in which the area’s rocks and minerals have been used by local people through the ages.

Get your copy £8 (£4 for Friends of the North Pennines – pages 19 & 20) + £1.80 P+P, direct from the AONB Partnership pages 63 & 64 Also available in local information centres – pages 65-67 and other outlets

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Five new routes! Packhorse Trails

Mountain bikers and horse riders looking for great ways to explore the spectacular North Pennines are in for a treat with these ﬁve trails, based on 18th century packhorse routes. The guides – one for horse riders and another for mountain bikers – include five waterproof route cards. A companion booklet identifies: route basics; places to eat and drink; points of interest on the routes; cycle hire and repair/livery, stabling and horse riding centres (depending on guide); and GPS waypoints. • Alston – a stunning 29km (18 miles, 30% off-road) gently undulating circular ride through the Nent and South Tyne Valleys. • Baldersdale – travel 18km (11 miles, 60% off-road) along Baldersdale, with woodland, moorland and a superb stretch along Hury and Blackton Reservoirs. • Blanchland – a 21km (13 miles, 70% off-road) ride high up and over the moors above the beautiful Derwent Valley. • Hamsterley – enjoy a 26km (16 miles, 75% off-road) tour of spectacular open moorland, before dropping down to Eggleston and returning to the forest. • Hartside – a challenging 11km (7 miles, 75% off-road) of steep climbs and descents starting at the Hartside Cafe.

Get your guide! Mountain bike or horse riding guide - £6 (£3 for Friends of the North Pennines pages 19 & 20) + £1.50 P+P, direct from the AONB Partnership pages 63 & 64 Why not get a copy of the Wheels to the Wild Cycle Route too? page 50. For 2012 this guide, which includes three challenging day rides, is available at the specially discounted price of £2 (reduced from £5) Also available in local information centres – pages 65-67 and other outlets

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North Pennines AONB Events

Explore the North Pennines in the company of expert guides and uncover the area’s special qualities. During 2012 you’ll ﬁnd a series of events and activities to help you discover the area’s stunning wildlife, landscape, geology and history… Discovery and adventure! There is a lot going on in the North Pennines during 2012! Throughout the year there’ll be plenty of opportunities for you to get to grips with the special qualities of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Global Geopark. Our new Rocky weekends will unlock the area’s geological mysteries page 16 Visit www.northpennines.org.uk for full details of a wide range of events and activities, including: peatland adventures, mini-beast activities, bat events, walling taster days, hay meadow discovery, dark matter events, birdwatching days and much, much more!

Full event details at www.northpennines.org.uk Most events are advance booking only – see web follow us on Facebook or Twitter for up to the minute information

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Geology and landscape Rocky weekends s High Force s High Cup Gill

New for 2012 the AONB Partnership will be running a series of three weekends of ‘rocky’ activities to help you unlock the geological and landscape secrets of the North Pennines.

Each weekend consists of a 10-mile guided geowalk on the Saturday led by our very own geologist – Dr Elizabeth Pickett. On the Saturday evening you will be treated to a guest speaker with food laid on. A local guide will round the weekend off with a shorter (5-6 miles) stroll on the Sunday. Make a weekend of it and book local accommodation pages 8 & 9

Lead mining - 26 & 27 May - Allendale C1 • Saturday walk – Allenheads to Allendale • Saturday talk – ‘Lead mining in the Allen Valleys’ – Ian Forbes (former Director of Killhope Museum and current Chair of the Friends of the North Pennines) • Sunday walk – Allendale Circular

Teesdale discovery - 8 & 9 September - Bowlees C3 • Saturday walk – Cow Green Reservoir to Bowlees via Cauldron Snout, High and Low Force • Saturday talk – ‘Holwick archaeological discovery’ – Paul Frodsham (Historic Environment Officer with the AONB Partnership) • Sunday walk – Richard Watson Poetry Trail with Neil Diment (local expert)

Volcanoes and deserts - 6 & 7 October – Dufton, Eastern Fellside B3 • Saturday walk – Great Rundale-High Cup Nick • Saturday talk - tbc • Sunday walk – Dufton Circular

Full event details at www.northpennines.org.uk l call the AONB Partnership on 01388 528801 l [email protected]

s Allenheads

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Out and about Other events and activities

As well as events organised by the AONB Partnership pages 15 and 16 there are other organisations also running events and activities in the North Pennines. • Allendale Bakery. Bread making courses • Highlights Rural Touring Scheme. Theatre, at Allen Mill in the East Allen Valley. music and dance in venues across the area. www.allendalebakery.com l 01434 618879 www.highlightsnorth.co.uk l 01768 • Dickens in Teesdale. Year-long festival 353954 l [email protected] celebrating Dickens’ visit to Teesdale. • Gordon Lamb. Watercolour art courses. www.dickensinteesdale.org.uk l 07522 www.gallery-upstairs.co.uk l 01434 012417 675415 l [email protected] • Durham County Council’s Countryside Service • Make Recycled Craft Workshop. Fun Programme of guided walks (1-15 miles) workshops for adults and kids and countryside activities including throughout the year. Above the cafe at volunteering opportunites. Whitfield Village Pantry. www.durham.gov.uk/countryside l 0191 http://makerecycledcraftworkshops.bigcar 372 9100 l [email protected]) tel.com • The Garden Station, Langley. Nature, art, • Moor House–Upper Teesdale National gardening and cookery day courses. Nature Reserve. Programme of events and page 37 activities. • Geltsdale RSPB Reserve. Bird and www.naturalengland.org.uk l 01833 622374 moorland walks. • Natural History Society of Northumbria run www.rspb.org.uk l 01697 746717 l a series of field meetings (March-Oct), [email protected] some in the North Pennines. • John Martin Heritage Festival, Haydon www.nhsn.ncl.ac.uk l 0191 2326386 l Bridge. Talks, workshops, guided walks [email protected] and more. Running until Sep 2012. • North Pennines Wool Group. Page 21 www.haydon-bridge.co.uk • Pennines Painting Courses. Run by Lionel • Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Playford from Rose House Studio in Museum. Lots of events through the year. Garrigill. www.killhope.org.uk l 01388 537505 www.penninepainting.co.uk l • Haltwhistle Partnership are running two 01434 381092 Walking Festivals in 2012 (28 April-7 • Slack House Farm, Ireshopeburn (Weardale) May and 6-14 Oct) and a long distance run a range of rural workshops with an challenge event on 19 May. environmental emphasis. www.haltwhistlewalkingfestival.org l 01434 www.ﬂeecewithaltitude.co.uk l 322025 l [email protected] 01388 537292 l • Harehope Quarry. Community events slackhousefarm@ﬂeecewithaltitude.co.uk programme. • Upper Teesdale Botany Group www.harehopequarry.org.uk l Contact Dr Margaret Bradshaw 01388 528633/528599 [email protected]

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Out and about Shows and fairs

Agricultural shows and other fairs are an excellent day out for the whole family, as well as being an opportunity to ﬁnd out more about the rural way of life in the North Pennines. You’ll find stalls selling local produce and crafts; rural skills demonstrations; animals from sheep, cattle and poultry to goats, guinea pigs and ducks; as well as programmes of events from sheep dog trials to pony fancy dress!

21 April Bishop Auckland Food Festival E3 12 May Nenthead Gala B2 26 May Eastgate Sheep Show, Weardale C2 4 June Northumberland County Show D1 7-13 June Appleby Horse Fair* B3 9 June Roman Wall Show (Twice Brewed) B1 16 June Catton Village Fair C1 30 June Alston Gala B2 9-10 July Raby Castle Game and Country Fair D3 28 July Penrith Agricultural Show A3 4 Aug Middleton-in-Teesdale Carnival C3 11 Aug Slaley Show C1 16 Aug Brough Agricultural Show B4 18 Aug Allendale Show C1 18 Aug Appleby Agricultural Show B3 18 Aug Romaldkirk & Cotherstone Fair D3 25 Aug Dufton Agricultural Show B3 25 Aug Weardale Agricultural Show (St John’s Chapel) C2 27 Aug Blanchland and Hunstanworth Show C2 27 Aug Garrigill Gala B2 1 Sep Alston Agricultural Show B2 1-2 Sep Wolsingham and Wear Valley Agricultural Show D2 8 Sep Bowes Agricultural Show C4 8-9 Sep Stanhope Agricultural Show C2 Find out more about these shows 15 Sep Eggleston Agricultural Show D4 and fairs from information centres 22 Sep Langdon Beck Show C3 pages 65-67 * The Horse Fair is a traditional gypsy gathering and NOT an organised event. People attend at their own risk.

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Get involved! Friends of the North Pennines

Do you care about the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty? ‘The Friends’ is a charity specially designed for people who are passionate about looking after, and celebrating the special qualities of the North Pennines. The aims of the Friends • Looking after the North Pennines - promoting the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment in and around the AONB • Increasing awareness of the North Pennines and its special qualities

Membership beneﬁts • Members only events and volunteering opportunities • Three e-newsletters a year • Opportunities to meet like-minded people • 50% discount on AONB Partnership publications • Annual meeting

How to join Simply complete the membership form overleaf and return to: Friends of the North Pennines, Weardale Business Centre, The Old Co-op Building, 1 Martin Street, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL13 2UY

Find out more visit www.friendsofthenorthpennines.org.uk l email [email protected] l or call 01388 528801

s High Force, Upper Teesdale

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Friends of the North Pennines Membership application form Please complete in BLOCK CAPITALS

Title First name Surname Address Postcode Tel Email Type of membership Individual £15 per year Joint/family (2 adults, children £25 per year under 18* included) Life Membership – Individual £300 Life Membership – Joint/family £500 (2 adults, children under 18 included*) *After children turn 18 they can no longer count as family members and will need to join separately Donations I/we would also like to make a donation £25 £50 £100 Other £ Total fee & donation: £

Use Gift Aid and you can make your donation worth more. For every pound you give to us, we get an extra 25p from the Inland Revenue – at no cost to you. Please sign the declaration below: “I would like the Friends of the North Pennines to treat all donations I make from the date of this declaration (until I notify you otherwise) as Gift Aid donations. I am a UK taxpayer.” Signature Date

How to pay? By Standing Order (preferred option) – visit www.friendsofthenorthpennines.org.uk and download a mandate form By cheque, payable to ‘Friends of the North Pennines’

What now? Please return this form together with your cheque (if applicable) to: Friends of the North Pennines, Weardale Business Centre, The Old Co-op Building, 1 Martin Street, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL13 2UY

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North Pennines products and produce Buy local

Buying locally produced food, crafts, art and other produce and products is a great way to help the North Pennines prosper.

Love food Local wool Love Food is about Wool – a product of the hill farming helping local people that has shaped the landscape for many – people involved in centuries – is well and truly back on the production, use and appreciation the North Pennines map thanks to a of great locally grown or reared food. group of smallholders, craftspeople and The project area covers Teesdale, artists living in the area. The North Weardale, the Allen Valleys and the Pennines Wool Group has formed to Derwent Valley and supports raise the profile of local wool. individuals, companies and organisations which are involved in food-related enterprises and/or activities. Love Food is a partnership project (Teesdale Marketing, South Durham Enterprise Agency and the North

Pennines AONB Partnership) funded © Ellie Langley by the Big Lottery Fund’s Local Food Scheme, North Pennine Dales 28 Sep – North Pennines Wool LEADER and Durham County Council. Day at St John’s Chapel C2 www.lovefood.me l includes a directory This event offers an exciting opportunity to of places to eat and buy local produce ﬁnd out about the wool produced in the North Pennines. There will be demonstrations of a range of craft New food festival in the Eden techniques using local wool and also the chance to get hands on and have a go Valley yourself! Yarns, ﬂeeces and other wool- related products will be available to buy. Eden Foodival. Brough, www.npennines-wool.co.uk l call Ellie 26 August 2012 Langley at Slackhouse Farm on 01388 537292 www.edenfoodival.co.uk follow their blog at http://northpennineswool.blogspot.com

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An inspirational place Art and the landscape

The landscapes of the North Pennines have a rich association with artists and writers – both past and present. You'll also ﬁnd a wealth of craft workers - pottery, textiles, candles, wood and metal work to name a few - in and around the North Pennines. Inspirational Pennine Painting WH Auden, Phillip Larkin, Dickens Art holidays run by Lionel and Alex www.dickensinteesdale.org.uk and JMW Playford. Two to four-day drawing and Turner all drew inspiration for their painting courses based at their Rose work from the stunning North House Studio & Gallery in Garrigill. Pennine landscape. Turner Holidays are running between June immortalised many Teesdale scenes – and Nov in 2012. New for this year, not least High Force. Auden loved the Lionel will be running an outdoor area’s lead mining landscape – environmental art course. especially around Rookhope in www.penninepainting.co.uk B2 Weardale.

• Highlights Rural Touring Scheme www.highlightsnorth.co.uk Allendale Forge Studios and • Alston Craftworkers Cafe C1 www.alstoncraftworkers.co.uk • Alston Artists The Forge provides seven affordable www.alstonartists.co.uk workspaces, two free studios for young • Eden Arts entrepreneurs, a design studio with www.edenarts.co.uk etching press and a recording studio • Teesdale Open Studios plus retail space for some 40 creative www.teesdaleopenstudios.co.uk businesses in Northumberland. The • Allen Valleys Community website – Creative Industries section exhibition gallery and workshop www.allenvalleys.co.uk studio are available for hire for • Network & The Art Tour business, family and community www.networkartists.org.uk events. Come and visit the gift shop, • Aurora Creative Arts art gallery and cafe. www.auroracreativearts.co.uk • NeST – gallery, studios, digital hub www.allendaleforgestudios.co.uk l and cafe 01434 683975 www.barnardcastlenest.org.uk

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Farmers’ markets in the North Pennines

Meet local farmers, growers and Greenhead 2nd Sun every month 10am-2pm (except producers and discover the April – 1st Sun) products which they themselves Greenhead Village Hall, Greenhead B1 have grown, reared, caught, 016977 47448 [email protected] brewed, pickled, baked, smoked www.hadrianswallfarmersmarket.co.uk or processed! Hexham 2nd and 4th Sat every month 9am-1.30pm Allendale Market Place, Hexham C1 4th Sun every month 10am-3pm 07854 320519 Allendale Village Hall, Allendale C1 [email protected] 01325 718841 www.hexhamfarmersmarket.co.uk Barnard Castle FARMA Certified (www.farma.org.uk) 1st Sat every month 9.30am-3pm Middleton-in-Teesdale On the cobbles, Market Place, Last Sun every month, 10am-3pm. Barnard Castle D4 (except Feb, St Mary’s Outdoor market April-Sep: indoor market Parish Hall) Oct-March at ‘UTASS’, above Co-op www.barnardcastlefarmersmarket.co.uk Middleton-in-Teesdale C3 FARMA Certified (www.farma.org.uk) 01833 641000 Brampton [email protected] Last Sat every month 9.30am-1.30pm www.middletonplus.org.uk (except Dec – 3rd Sat) Penrith In front of the Moot Hall, Brampton A1 3rd Tues monthly April-Dec 9.30am-2pm Lauren Harrison, 016977 47962 Market Square, Penrith A3 [email protected] Eden District Council, 01768 817817 www.sustainablebrampton.org [email protected] www.eden.gov.uk Brough FARMA Certified (www.farma.org.uk) 3rd Sat every month (9.30am-1pm, Jan- March; 9.30am-2pm, April-Dec) Stanhope Inside Brough Memorial Hall, Brough B4 4th Sat monthly April-Dec 10am-3pm Marion Williams, 01768 342135 Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope C2 [email protected] 07802 534899 www.broughfarmersmarket.org.uk david.butterfi[email protected] FARMA Certified (www.farma.org.uk) [email protected] FARMA Certified (www.farma.org.uk)

Market days Useful links The following towns have local markets: www.made-in-northumberland.co.uk Monday: Kirkby Stephen, Stanhope (Apr-Oct) www.northumbria-larder.co.uk Tuesday: Hexham, Penrith www.madeincumbria.co.uk Wednesday: Barnard Castle, Brampton www.teesdalefarmersmarkets.co.uk Thursday: Haltwhistle www.lovefood.me Saturday: Appleby

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Area Guides Teesdale

Teesdale is the most southerly of the Durham Dales. The sweep of the moors and crags of the upper dale have an unrivalled drama which many visitors come back to savour time and time again. Raby Estate’s white farmhouses and barns are a distinctive and memorable element in the landscape of Upper Teesdale and the stunning spectacle that is England’s biggest waterfall – High Force – adds a vibrant natural beauty to the mix. Middleton-in-Teesdale is the ‘capital’ of the upper dale and is an excellent base from which to explore the area. The information centre is a great place to plan a trip to the upper dale. New for 2012! The AONB Partnership will be re-opening Bowlees Visitor Centre as a discovery centre for Upper Teesdale and the wider North Pennines www.northpennines.org.uk & page 36 for details

PW Alston

R. Tees B 6 2 s 77 Middleton-in-Teesdale

B6278

78 8 Cow Green Langdon Beck Reservoir Bowlees Visitor Centre Hamsterley Forest PW High Force Newbiggin Cauldron Low Force Chapel Snout Teesdale Middleton-in-Teesdale Woodland Moor House Bishop High Cup Nick Upper Teesdale National Nature Auckland Reserve Ark on the Edge Romaldkirk B6276B Grassholme Raby Castle Resr. Selset Staindrop Resr. Cotherstone A688 Hury Stainmore Common Resr. Blackton A67 Balderhead Resr. Resr. Brough A67A BARNARD Bowes CASTLE Museum R. Tees A66 Bowes A66 R. Greta

s Gibson’s Cave, near Bowlees

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s Baldersdale Places to visit, things to do:

• High ForceC3 page 38 & Low Force waterfalls C3 • Bowlees Visitor Centre C3 page 36 & www.northpennines.org.uk Re-opening in 2012. Car park, toilets and walks to Gibson’s Cave and Low Force • Eggleston Hall Gardens C3 page 37 • Dickens in Teesdale D4 www.dickensinteesdale.org.uk Events throughout 2012 to celebrate Dickens’ visit to the dale • Newbiggin Methodist Chapel C3 page 39

• Moor House-Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve s Eggleston Hall B3 page 44 l www.naturalengland.org.uk l 01833 622374 • Grassholme, Cow Green and other Northumbrian Water reservoirs B3 C3 page 60 l www.nwl.co.uk • Barnard Castle and Middleton-in-Teesdale Farmers’ Markets D4 page 23 • Walks on the Teesdale Way and Pennine Way National Trail page 53 • Hannah’s Meadow nature reserve C4 www.durhamwt.co.uk l 0191 5843112 • Ark on the Edge D3 page 36

Further aﬁeld: • 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 39 • Hamsterley Forest D3 page 38 Walks, traffic-free cycle tracks, visitor centre, orienteering • Bowes Museum D4 page 36 • 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: www.northpennines.org.uk • www.teesdalediscovery.com • www.thisisdurham.com Call or visit Middleton-in-Teesdale information centre pages 67

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Area Guides Weardale

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 the Stanhope Deer Park where the famous ‘Great Chases’ were held. Weardale is also the source of a unique form of marble – known as Frosterley Marble. It’s actually a type of limestone and when highly polished the fossilized remains of corals are plain to see. Stanhope is the largest settlement in Upper Weardale. Don’t miss the spectacular fossilized tree stump (originally from a quarry near Edmundbyers D2 ) in the churchyard. Take a closer look into Ashes Quarry, above Stanhope, by following the 2-mile self-guided walk Available in the Durham Dales Centre & pages 63-64 The poet WH Auden loved the North Pennines, especially the area around Rookhope C2 . It was here in the lead mining landscapes of Weardale that he first felt his creative juices flowing. © Peter Atkinson

Derwent Resr 686

B6295 Blanchland Pow Hill Edmundbyers Country Park

C2CC2C Castleside

2C Alston C A689689899 Stanhope Common Waskerley Resr. Rookhope Durham Killhope Tunstall s Cowshill Dales Weardale Museum Museum Centre Resr. St John’s Stanhope Chapel Eastgate Tow Law Ireshopeburn Frosterley Weardale Westgate Wolsingham Museum Weardale Harehope Weardale Crook Quarry Railway R. Wear

B 6 2 777 Bollihope Common

B6278

A688 8

Teesdale A689 PW West BISHOP Auckland AUCKLAND

A6 8 6 B627B

A688

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s Upper Weardale Places to visit, things to do:

• Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum B2 page 39 Multi-award winning museum with many opportunities for hands on experiences of what life was like in the lead mines. Gift shop, cafe, impressive underground tour, waterwheels, dazzling mineral/spar box exhibition, woodland trails & red squirrel hide

• Weardale Museum and High House Chapel, Ireshopeburn C2 page 40 Independent folk museum telling Weardale’s story. Catch a glimpse of home life for lead miners a century ago

• The Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope C2 page 37 Information, tearooms, craft and gift shops and grounds • The Weardale Railway Heritage services between Bishop Auckland, Wolsingham D2 , Frosterley D2 and StanhopeC2 page 41

• Stanhope Farmers’ Market C2 page 23

• Harehope Quarry Project D3 page 38 s Roman altar, • Swimming Pools Eastgate Weardale Open Air Swimming Pool, Stanhope C2 www.woaspa.co.uk l 01388 528466; Wolsingham Swimming Pool D2 http://wolsinghamsportshall.com l 01388 528198

s Killhope Museum s Stanhope Fossil Tree

Find out more: www.northpennines.org.uk • www.discoverweardale.com www.thisisdurham.com Call or visit Stanhope information centre at the Durham Dales Centre page 67

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Area Guides Derwent Valley

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 means the ‘white lands’ – almost certainly a reference to the white habits of the Premonstratensian monks of the old Blanchland Abbey. Today the village, abbey and surrounding countryside (accessible on an easy access path) are well worth a visit. Downstream from Blanchland the flow of the River Derwent is interrupted by the three mile long Derwent Reservoir. It was built in 1967 and is the second largest reservoir in Northumberland. There is a choice of three 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.

Haltwhistle Haydon A69A66699 Bridge Corbridge A69 HEXHAM Newcastle

R. Tyne

The Garden Station Slaley The Highland B 6306 Cattle Centre

A68

rwent e Beamish Pow Derwent R. D Museum Hill Resr Shotley A686 Country Shildon Park Bridge Engine House

B6295 CONSETT Blanchland Muggleswick Edmundbyers Grange Castleside C2CC2C Rookhope

C2C

6 A689 8 Waskerley Resr. Stanhope & Weardale

s Hay meadow s Derwent near Blanchland Reservoir

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s Derwent Reservoir Places to visit, things to do: Ted Liddle © • Blanchland – former Abbey and village C2 Don’t miss the easy access path, created by the AONB Partnership, in Blanchland. Visit the recently restored Shildon Engine House www.northpennines.org.uk

• Derwent Reservoir D2 pages 60 l www.nwl.co.uk Easy access path, created by the AONB Partnership and Northumbrian Water, from Pow Hill Country Park to s the dam and along the north side of the reservoir. Cycling on the Derwent Great traffic-free family cycling opportunity Reservoir path

• Pow Hill Country Park D2 www.durham.gov.uk • Muggleswick Grange Spectacular medieval monastic grange www.northpennines.org.uk Further afield: • Tanfield Railway www.tanfieldrailway.co.uk l 0845 4634938 Working steam railway – see the world’s oldest surviving railway bridge, Causey Arch

• Highland Cattle Centre D1 www.thehighlandcattlecentre.co.uk l 01661 843228 • Beamish, the Living Museum of the North page 41 • Beamish Wild www.beamishwild.co.uk l 01207 233733 Birds of prey conservation centre 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 23 • Hadrian’s Wall A1 - D1 www.hadrians-wall.orgk l 01434 322002 • Northumberland National Park www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk l 01434 605555 s Hexham Abbey © Mike Quinn/ Creative Commons

Find out more: www.northpennines.org.uk • www.blanchland.org www.visitnorthumberland.com • www.thisisdurham.com Call or visit the information centres in Hexham, Haltwhistle or Corbridge page 66

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Area Guides Alston Moor & East Fellside

The countryside around Alston, England’s highest market town, provides some of the area’s ﬁnest walking country – including the lofty Cross Fell – the highest English hill outside the Lake District. The striking North Pennines escarpment is a dramatic backdrop to the attractive, red sandstone-built, fellfoot villages.

A69 Haltwhistle A69A Alston is well worth a visit – a wealth of

P BRAMPTON W small, independent shops await you, unspoilt Hallbankgate street scenes and a choice of quality eateries Talkin Tarn B Country Park to while away an hour or three! 6 Halton-lea-Gate 306 Talkin Cold Fell Castle Carrock Geltsdale RSPB Reserve A686

A689 Cumrew B6295

9 Whitﬁeld 295 B 6413 Whitley Castle & Hexham Roman Fort Croglin South Alston C2CC2C Tynedale Railway & The Hub Stanhope A689A & Weardale C2C A686 Nenthead Garrigill

M6 Kirkoswald Hartside Lazonby PW Melmerby Fell Middleton &

B6412 Melmerby Teesdale

Cross Fell B 6 2 Langwathby Great Dun Fell 77 PENRITH B6278 Blencarn A66

PW Rheged M6 Knock Dufton High Cup Nick s South Tynedale Railway

Hilton B6276B Appleby-in- Westmorland Stainmore Common North Stainmore Brough Barnard Castle A66

Kirkby Stephen Nine PW Standards Rigg

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s Alston Places to visit, things to do:

• South Tynedale Railway B2 page 40 Steam train rides along the gorgeous South Tyne Valley from Alston. New for 2012 – line extension to Lintley • High Cup Nick B3 A classic walk from Dufton up to this stunning U-shaped valley

• High Cup Wines, Nr Dufton B3 www.highcupwines.co.uk l 017683 53714 Vineyard, winery and geology displays

• The Hub Museum, Alston B2 page 38 Vibrant local history and transport museum

• Brough Castle B4 www.english-heritage.org.uk • Hartside Viewpoint & Cafe A2 01434 381036 • Rose House Studio & Gallery, Garrigill B2 www.penninepainting.co.uk l 01434 381092

• Talkin Tarn Country Park A1 s Geology displays at • Geltsdale RSPB Reserve A1 page 44 High Cup Winery

• The Poetry Path, nr Kirkby Stephen B4 page 53

• Farmers’ markets at Brampton A1 , Brough B4 and Penrith A3 page 23

• 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

• Whitley Castle Roman Fort B2 page 42

Find out more: • www.northpennines.org.uk • www.visiteden.co.uk • www.golakes.co.uk • www.cybermoor.org • www.discovercarlisle.co.uk • www.hadrians-wall.org Call or visit information centres in Alston, Appleby, Kirkby Stephen, Penrith or Brampton pages 65-67

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Allendale Area Guides South Tyne & the Allen Valleys

Allendale, lying at the heart of the Allen Valleys, is a former lead mining settlement. It’s the largest community in this part of the North Pennines and with its central market square and its pubs, cafes, shops, art gallery and walking/cycling opportunities is well worth a visit! The South Tyne Valley is a gloriously undiscovered place – the tumbling river 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 busiest in the North Pennines, supporting a population almost ten times greater than today.

Haydon Greenhead A69 Haltwhistle Bardon Mill Bridge Hexham Brampton A69

PW Allen Banks

The Garden Station

Halton-lea-Gate Whitﬁeld

South Whitﬁeld Allen Mill Allendale Tyne Moor Valley Ninebanks R. South Tyne A686 Tower Hexhamshire Slaggyford Ninebanks R. East Common R. West A689 East Allen B6295

Allen B Valley 6413 West Allen s Allen Allendale Tearooms 13 Valley C2C Alston Allenheads The Old Blackmith’s Shop C2C A686 Cowshill & Weardale

s Allen Banks & s Old Blacksmith’s Shop, Staward Gorge Allenheads

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s South Tyne Valley Places to visit, things to do: • Allendale C1 This welcoming settlement is a great base for the Allen Valleys • Allendale Forge Studios and Cafe C1 page 22 l www.allendaleforgestudios.co.uk l 01434 683975 Centre for arts, crafts and media

• Allen Banks & Staward Gorge, National Trust B1 www.nationaltrust.org.uk l 01434 344218 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 40

• South Tyne Trail www.northpennines.org.uk • The Garden Station page 37

• Allendale Bakery & Cafe C1 www.allendalebakery.com l 01434 618879 One mile NW of Allendale at Allen Mill www.allenmillregeneration.co.uk

• Greenhead Farmers’ Market A1 page 23 s East Allen Valley • Issac’s Tea Trail page 53

• Ninebanks Tower B2 www.northpennines.org.uk Further aﬁeld: • Hadrian’s Wall A1 - D1 www.hadrians-wall.org l 01434 322002 • Northumberland National Park www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk l 01434 605555

Find out more: www.northpennines.org.uk • www.allenvalleys.com s The Hemmel www.hadrians-wall.org • www.visitnorthumberland.com Coffee Shop, Allenheads Call or visit information centres in Haltwhistle, Hexham or Alston pages 66 & 65

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Greenhead A69

P BRAMPTON W 1 Hallbankgate Talkin Tarn Country Park Halton-lea-Gate Talkin Cold Fell Castle Carrock

SCOTLAND Hexham Geltsdale RSPB Reserve Newcastle R. Eden upon Tyne Slaggyfor Cumrew Carlisle Durham B6413 Whitley Ca Roman F Penrith Middlesbrough Armathwaite Croglin Darlington & Kendal 2 C2C

York M 6 Kirkoswald Hartsid Lazonby Melmerb

B6412 Melmerby 0 246810km Cross Langwathby 0246810milesN PENRITH Blencarn A66 AONB boundary Rheged A road 3 Knoc B road Minor road railway & station Appleby-in- Westmorland Tourist Information Centre Pennine Way Coast to Coast Cycle Route (C2C) YHA Youth Hostel Hadrian’s Wall 4 Please note that not all roads and settlements are included on this map ©Crown Copyright. all rights reserved. Durham County Council. LA100049055. 2012.

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NORTHUMBERLAND NATIONAL PARK BCD E

Haydon Corbridge d Haltwhistle Bardon Mill A69 Bridge A69 HEXHAM PW Allen R. Tyne Banks

The Garden Station Lambley B6306 Slaley Highland Gate Viaduct Whitﬁeld A68 Cattle Centre Allen Mill ll South Whitfield East Allen Allendale Tyne Moor Valley Pow Derwent R. Derwent B Valley Ninebanks Hill Resr Shotley Beamish Museum Country R. South Tyne A686 Tower Hexhamshire Shildon Bridge (12 miles) R. East Park Slaggyford Ninebanks Common Engine House

A689 R B629 CONSETT . West Blanchland

Allen Muggleswick 5 Derwent Edmundbyers West Allen Allen Grange hitley Castle Valley Roman Fort Valley Castleside Lanchester South Alston C2C Tynedale Allenheads Railway The Old

C2C & The Hub Blackmith’s A68 A689 Shop Stanhope A686 Nenthead Common Waskerley Resr. Garrigill Killhope Rookhope Durham Museum Dales Tunstall Cowshill Resr. Hartside Centre Wearhead St John’s Stanhope PW Burnhope Res. Eastgate Melmerby Fell Chapel Tow Law Ireshopeburn Frosterley rby Weardale Westgate Wolsingham Museum Weardale Harehope Weardale Railway Crook R. Tee Quarry R. Wear Cross Fell s B62 Great Dun Fell 77 Bollihope Common

Cow Green B62 Reservoir A688 78 Langdon Beck Moor House - A689 Upper Teesdale Bowlees Visitor Centre Hamsterley Forest NNR Newbiggin PW High Force Chapel Knock Cauldron Low Force Te Middleton-in-Teesdale Snout Woodland West BISHOP Dufton esdale AUCKLAND High Cup Nick Auckland Ark on the Edge A68 Romaldkirk Hilton B6276 Grassholme Raby Castle eby-in- Resr. Selset Staindrop morland Resr. Cotherstone A688 Hury Stainmore Resr. Common Blackton A67 North Balderhead Resr. Resr. Brough Stainmore A67 BARNARD ees Bowes CASTLE Museum R. T

A66 Bowes A66 R. Greta Kirkby PW Stephen Nine Standards Rigg YORKSHIRE DALES A685 NATIONAL PARK

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Out and about Attractions in the North Pennines

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 ride on the Weardale Railway or the South Tynedale Railway. Explore Hamsterley Forest, visit the Durham Dales Centre and the Hub Museum or relax awhile in the Garden Station or Eggleston Hall Gardens.

• The grid references eg D3 refer to the map on the centre spread pages 34 & 35

Ark on the Edge D3 Bowlees Visitor Centre C3 Ark on the Edge is an animal The centre will re-open in 2012 rescue centre and sanctuary and and will be run by the AONB has a fully equipped wildlife Partnership. It is a fantastic base education centre and a mile-long for exploring Upper Teesdale, with nature trail. The centre offers footpath links to Low Force, High courses in animal care and group Force, Newbiggin and the Pennine visits are welcome. It is open for Way. There are lively displays on the public to visit, see the The Bowes Museum D4 the landscape, wildlife, geology animals, walk the nature trail, or This magnificent museum has and people of Upper Teesdale, and you can do a spot of pond undergone a major transformation, the work of the AONB Partnership. dipping. Ark on the Edge creating a stunning 21st century There is car parking, a picnic area welcomes disabled visitors, call visitor attraction in beautiful and toilets nearby. Accessible for details. grounds. It contains a wonderful parking in front of the centre. collection of fine and decorative Woolley Hill Farm, Woodland arts housed in an array of stunning Newbiggin, Bowlees, Middleton-in- Co. Durham DL13 5RX Teesdale, Co. Durham DL12 0XF t. 01833 630505 new galleries. Exhibitions, guided t. 01388 528801 (AONB Partnership) e. [email protected] tours, family activities, fine dining e. [email protected] w. www.arkontheedge.org.uk and shopping add up to a w. www.northpennines.org.uk

Opening times wonderful day out. Opening times • Normally open all week • Visit web for details • Ring to check if travelling far The Bowes Museum, Barnard • Group visits can be arranged Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 8NP t. 01833 690606 Entrance fees e. [email protected] • Free entry & parking – donations w. www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk welcome Opening times • Open daily 10am-5pm Closed 25, 26 Dec & 1 Jan

Entrance fees • Adults £9, concessions £8, children free (under 16), carers free. 6 months pass £12 • Free access to cafe, shop and grounds • Admissions are donation inclusive and can be Gift Aided

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s Durham Dales Centre

Durham Dales Centre C2 Visitor centre in Weardale with a tearoom, specialising in home baking and a well stocked information centre & gift shop. Other shops are set within a courtyard offering a wide range of The Garden Station C1 cards, gifts and crafts. On site Woodland garden and beautifully facilities include the Durham restored wooden Victorian railway Dales Garden and interpretation station on the former Hexham - throughout the grounds. Coaches Allendale railway. Enjoy: a garden welcome. of beauty and peace; a lovely muddy woodland walk; artworks Castle Gardens, Stanhope inside and outside the station; a Bishop Auckland Co. Durham DL13 2FJ fabulous earth-friendly Fairtrade t: 01388 527650 cafe; and a wide range of day [email protected] e: Eggleston Hall Gardens C3 courses. w: www.durhamdalescentre.co.uk Four acres of gardens and nursery. Langley on Tyne, Hexham Opening times 16th century churchyard with Northumberland NE47 5LA • Apr-Oct: Daily 10am-5pm ruined chapel and rare plants, t. 01434 684391 • Nov-Mar: Daily 10am-4pm e. [email protected] • Closed Christmas and New Year moorland stream, winding paths, and many interesting plants for w. www.thegardenstation.co.uk Entrance fees Opening times • Free entrance sale. Malcolm Hockham & Roy Long, who run the gardens, are two • See website or call for details of the best known horticulturalists Entrance fees in the North of England. In addition • Free entry, donations invited to these gardens Malcolm also has a small private nursery (open 14 days per year) at which many rare and unusual plants are kept for propagation and collections throughout the country.

Eggleston, Barnard Castle Co. Durham DL12 0AG t. 01833 650230 e. [email protected] w. www.egglestonhallgardens.co.uk www.plantsmanscorner.co.uk

Opening times • See website or call for details

Entrance fees • £2 adults, children free, dogs must be on leads © The Durham Dales Centre © The Garden Station

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Out and about Attractions in the North Pennines

Hamsterley Forest D3 High Force Waterfall C3 County Durham’s largest forest, High Force, England’s biggest Hamsterley has a mixture of waterfall, spectacularly drops 70 deciduous woodland, meadows feet (21m) into a plunge pool and coniferous woods. It below. The woodland walk leads combines commercial forestry you to this breathtaking sight. The with a variety of natural habitats. muffled rumble suddenly turns to You’ll find walking, cycling and a roar and the sight astounds you. horse riding trails. Additional The waterfall walk must be treated with care and children should be facilities include toilets, a tea Harehope Quarry Project D3 supervised at all times. Picnic area room, cycle hire and a downhill The Harehope Quarry Project aims mountain bike course. to promote a more sustainable way and parking.

1 Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre of living. The project has developed Upper Teesdale - on B6277, 4 ⁄2 Redford, Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland, a fish farm and smallholding, a miles NW of Middleton-in-Teesdale Co. Durham DL13 3NL nature reserve with public access t. 01833 622209 t. 01388 488312 and an eco-classroom built entirely e. [email protected] e. [email protected] w. www.rabycastle.com w. www.forestry.gov.uk/hamsterleyforest by volunteers. The project has a community events programme and Opening times Opening times delivers environmental education, • Open throughout the year. During • Forest: Winter 8am-5pm; Summer adverse weather conditions parts of 8am-8pm field studies and education for the falls may not be accessible • Visitor Centre: 31/03/12-30/09/12: sustainable development. The eco- 10am-4pm weekdays, 11am-5pm classroom can also be booked for Entrance fees weekends • Adult (16+) £1.50, Children (5-15yrs) meetings, green birthday parties 50p, over 60/concessions £1 Entrance fees and other events. • Car Park £2 • £3 per car (£5 on Easter & Bank • Coach parking fees for school parties Holiday weekends) Harehope Quarry, Frosterley, apply – please book in advance. Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham DL13 2SG t: 01388 528599 or 01388 528633 The Hub Museum B2 e: [email protected] w: www.harehopequarry.org.uk Vibrant local history and transport museum, packed full of bygone Opening times forms of transport and delightful • Permissive paths to the east and west ends of the quarry are open snippets of local history. Next to at any time South Tynedale Railway. • Community events programme • Visits are strictly by prior Alston Goods Shed Trust, Alston, arrangement Cumbria CA9 3HN • Eco-classroom can be booked for t: 01434 381609 events and activities. Note that the classroom is closed at other Opening times times • Call for details

Entrance fees Entrance fees • Costs of events and activities vary • £1.50

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s Killhope Museum

Killhope, the North of England B2 Raby Castle D3 Lead Mining Museum This 14th century castle has been Killhope is a multi-award winning home to Lord Barnard’s family Victorian mining museum, since 1626. Highlights include an offering a grand day out for all. impressive gateway, a vast hall, a One of our guides will take you on medieval kitchen and a Victorian an unforgettable mine tour. Find octagonal drawing room. The your own minerals as you work as rooms display fine furniture, a washerboy. Working water artworks and elaborate wheels. 2012 exhibitions include: architecture. Enjoy the deer park, A Miscellany of Museum walled gardens and carriage Marvels – treasures from the collection. Stable tearooms. Events regional museum’s archives that take place throughout the summer. illuminated the lives of Victorian people and Rags to Riches – Staindrop Co. Durham DL2 3AH traditional and contemporary t. 01833 660202 rugs and mats. Walk the e. [email protected] woodland trails to see our red w. www.rabycastle.com

squirrels. Visit the shop and cafe Opening times to complete your great day out. • Easter Weekend: Sat to Mon • May, June and September: Sun to Nr Cowshill, Upper Weardale Wed (guided tours Mon to Wed) Co. Durham DL13 1AR (A689) • July and August: Daily except Sat t: 01388 537505 e: [email protected] Entrance fees w: www.killhope.org.uk • Castle, park and gardens: Adults £10, concessions £9, children (5-15yrs) £4.50 Opening times • Park and Gardens: Adults £6, • 01/04/12-04/11/12: 10.30am-5pm concessions £5, children (ages 5-15) Newbiggin C3 £2.50 Entrance fees (valid 12 months) • Adults £7.15, child £4.10, concessions Methodist Chapel £6.65 Believed to be the world’s oldest Methodist Chapel in continuous use, from 1759. Methodism and local history displays. Exhibition to be confirmed

Newbiggin, Middleton-in-Teesdale Co. Durham DL12 0TY t: 01833 641001 (Middleton TIC) e: [email protected]

Opening times • Weds (2-4.30pm) May Bank-Aug Bank hol • At other times keys can be borrowed from Middleton TIC, Bowlees Visitor Centre and Alston Road Garage (Middleton)

Out and about Attractions in the North Pennines

Members of the scheme have Museum Weardale © Peter Atkinson, agreed to reduce their impact on Weardale Museum C2 the environment in a range of & High House Chapel South Tynedale Railway B2 ways, including: using low-energy Enjoy a scenic ride through the This highly commended volunteer- light bulbs; installing motion run museum is packed with stunning South Tyne Valley from sensors; and recycling paper. Alston to Kirkhaugh or Lintley. fascinating new displays and stories Leave the train for a walk on the Members are independently of Weardale’s heritage including South Tyne Trail. Bring a picnic or assessed and are given one of the The Weardale Tapestry, a beautiful sample our cafe at Alston Station following awards: 16ft free-style embroidery. where there is free parking and a Adjoining the museum is the gift shop just minutes from the Good environmental historic High House Chapel. Built in town centre. practice 1760, it is the oldest Methodist Chapel to have held continuous The Railway Station, Alston weekly services. The museum tells Cumbria CA9 3JB Very good environmental the story of Wesley's many visits to t: 01434 381696 01434 382828 (Talking Timetable) practice Ireshopeburn and provides access e: [email protected] to the Chapel during Museum w: www.strps.org.uk hours. The Museum also holds a Excellence in Opening times vast Weardale genealogy resource - • April 1, then Good Friday – end Oct environmental practice ring first to avoid disappointment. (not every day – check for details) MLA Accredited Museum • Trains leave Alston at 10.45am, 12.15pm, 2.15pm & 3.45pm Ireshopeburn, • Return trains from Lintley at Co. Durham DL13 1HD 11.30am, 1pm, 3pm & 4.30pm t: 01388 517433 e: [email protected] Fares w: www.weardalemuseum.co.uk • Return to or from Lintley: Adults £7.50, children £3, family (2 adults & Opening times up to 3 children) £20 • Open 2pm-5pm • Easter and Bank Holidays: 2pm-5pm • 01/05/12-31/10/12: Wed-Sun, 2pm-5pm • August 2012: Daily, 2pm-5pm

Entrance fees • Adult £3, child 50p

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s South Tynedale Railway

Attractions further aﬁeld © J. Lewins © Beamish Museum Beamish Museum E1 This open air museum vividly recreates life in North East England in the early 1800s and early 1900s. Step back in time and explore this 300 acre museum. Enjoy unlimited free rides on the restored trams and replica buses. Visit exciting attractions including an authentic town street, colliery village, working farm, manor house and steam locomotives. You’ll find Beamish just 12 miles A3 east of Castleside. Rheged Centre The Rheged Centre just off the M6 Beamish Museum, Beamish (J40), is a great family day out, Co. Durham DH9 0RG with so much to do, including the Weardale Railway t: 0191 3704000 biggest 3-D screen in the North Heritage service between Bishop e: [email protected] w: www.beamish.org.uk West and Cumbria’s Information Auckland West E3 , Wolsingham D2 Centre. Rheged's rather special Frosterley D2 and Stanhope C2 on Opening times: shops reflect the region, its Saturdays and Sundays. The • Visit website for details activities, crafts people and Weardale Railway platform at Entrance fees: producers; fresh food with a Bishop Auckland is a short walk • All year unlimited ticket: £17.50 distinct Cumbrian emphasis; and from the Northern Rail Station. For (adult); £13 (60+); £10 (child); £13 let off steam with our indoor soft (student); £46 (family 2+2); £32 (family timetables and special events visit 1+2) play, creative workshops and our website or call. Ticket office, cafe • Mid-week winter discount (Nov- fantastic outdoor play area for and shop at Stanhope Station. March): £8.75 (adult); £6.50 (60+); £5 under 12s! There’s even a (child); £6.50 (student) dedicated area for under 5s. Stanhope Station,Stanhope, Weardale, Bishop Auckland, Co. Redhills, Penrith Durham DL13 2YS Cumbria CA11 0DQ t: 01388 526203 t: 01768 868000 (Reservations/Enquiries) e: [email protected] e: [email protected] w: www.rheged.com w: www.weardale-railway.org.uk Opening times: Opening times: • Daily 10am-5.30pm, closed • Sat & Sun Easter – end Oct, Fri during Christmas, Boxing Day and New summer holidays Year’s Day

Fares: Entrance fees: • Visit website or call for details • Free parking and entry to centre © Beamish Museum

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Historic envrionment Discover the past

The North Pennines landscape contains many clues to the development of human society over the past 10,000 years. Prehistoric times The earliest evidence for people in the Castle (near Alston) has shown it to be North Pennines comes in the form of one of the best preserved forts flint tools picked up from ploughed anywhere in Britain. It was almost fields and erosion gullies in the peat. certainly built here to oversee Roman During Neolithic times (about 5,000 lead mining operations, although no years ago) some early farming evidence of Roman mines has yet been communities built stone circles as found. Farmsteads occupied by native open air temples; Long Meg in the people during the Roman occupation Eden Valley (just outside the AONB) is are known from many places one of the most spectacular. Neolithic throughout the North Pennines. people also carved the enigmatic ‘cup and ring marks’, of which several fine examples survive on the moors of Upper Teesdale. Several settlements and burial mounds of Bronze Age date (c 3,500 years ago) survive within the North Pennines, and a spectacular hoard of Bronze Age metalwork was found in Heathery Burn Cave, s Stanhope in the 19th century. Stone inscribed with mysterious 5,000 year-old ‘cup-and-ring’ The Roman occupation marks, Teesdale The North Pennines became part of the vast Roman Empire in the late 1st century AD. A recent survey of the impressive Roman fort at Whitley Discover Whitley Castle Follow the self-guided walk - 'Whitley Castle… Alston through the ages' Download from www.northpennines.org.uk s Whitley Castle Roman Fort

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s Excavations on Bollihope Common, Weardale

Lead mining

The landscape of the North Pennines Today’s landscape is full of the owes much to the exploitation of lead remnants of mines, spoil heaps, smelt which has taken place here mills, railways, reservoirs and leats, all continuously since medieval times. reminders of the once thriving but now Lead mining dominated the local silent lead industry. economy in the 18th and 19th centuries, giving rise to a distinctive ‘miner-farmer’ landscape of small, dispersed farmsteads extending high into the uplands; these were occupied by families whose menfolk worked the mines during the week. Within villages, many chapels, schools, and other buildings were built using profits from lead exploitation.

s Old mine entrance near s ‘Miner-farmer’ landscape near Nenthead Lanehead, Weardale

Find out more Visit Allenheads pages 32 & 33, Killhope - the North of England Lead Mining Museum page 39, Weardale Museum & High House Chapel page 40

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Wildlife of the North Pennines Nature watching

The North Pennines is a fantastic place to experience the natural world. For the opportunity to see a profusion of wildlife that is all but a memory for much of the rest of England a visit to the AONB should be very high up your list of things to do! WildWatch Why not combine your day out in the North Pennines with some wildlife recording to help with conservation? You can now record all your wildlife sightings by registering with the AONB Partnership’s WildWatch project (funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund) s Globeﬂowers on our website, where you can also view maps of wildlife in the AONB, Moor House-Upper Teesdale NNR B3 find on-line identification guides and This is one of England’s largest National book onto our training courses. Nature Reserves. It is particularly well known for the plants that originally colonised the North Pennines after the last Ice Age. The Reserve encompasses an almost complete range of upland habitats typical of the North Pennines, from hay meadows, rough grazing and juniper woods to limestone grassland, blanket bog and the high fells. Programme of events in s © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk Common frog spring and summer. www.northpennines.org.uk/WildWatch www.naturalengland.org.uk l 01833 622374 @NorthPennWild WildWatchNorthPennines Geltsdale RSPB Nature Reserve A1 From remote and windswept blanket bog Red squirrels to flower-filled hay meadows, Geltsdale Conifer plantations in the North RSPB reserve is a fantastic place for Pennines are one of the last refuges for upland birds and wildlife. At Stagsike the red squirrel in England. One of the Cottages you’ll find a visitor centre with an art gallery and CCTV trained on best places to see and find out about nesting birds. There are also three trails red squirrels is at Killhope, the North (3-8km) to follow. of England Lead Mining Museum B2 . www.rspb.org.uk l 01697 746717 l page 39 [email protected]

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Nature watching Moorlands

The moorlands of the North Pennines are home to some of our rarest wildlife. They also have a sense of tranquility and remoteness found in few other places in the country. The North Pennine moorlands cover golden plover, red and black grouse, over 90,000 hectares of wind swept curlew, common lizard and adder. and remote landscape, making them the biggest continuous peatland in Peaty facts: England. The deepest Pennine peat • When peat forms it locks in carbon formed over 7,500 years ago making contained in the plant matter – moorlands some of England’s oldest healthy, wet, peatlands are an ecosystems. important store of carbon and

© Brian Rafferty hence are important in mitigating against climate change • There is as much carbon stored in peatlands in the UK as there is contained in all the forests of the UK, France and Germany combined! s Red grouse Peatscapes Blanket bog The AONB Partnership’s Peatscapes The North Pennines AONB contains initiative aims to restore and conserve 27% of England’s blanket bog. Blanket the internationally important peatlands bog is an internationally protected type within the North Pennines AONB. of peat habitat, found only in cool, wet regions. Since it began to form at the www.northpennines.org.uk end of the last ice age, blanket bog has Request leaflets on our peatlands: helped shape the landscape of the pages 63 & 64 l www.northpennines.org.uk (pdf ﬁles available to download) North Pennines and is now one of its principal ecosystems. Typical blanket bog species include common cottongrass, hair’s-tail cottongrass, cloudberry, bog asphodel, round-leaved sundew and a variety of peat building Sphagnum mosses. North Pennine moorlands are an important habitat for many types of birds and animals, including: dunlin, s Cottongrass

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Nature watching Birds s Lapwing chick © Brian Rafferty The North Pennines is a great place to watch birds. The rich mix of habitats, wildlife and stunning landscapes in the AONB is unique in England.

Birdwatching in the North Birdwatchers Code of Conduct Pennines • The welfare of the birds must Look out for... come first. Disturbance to birds High moors: golden plover, red and their habitats should be kept grouse, meadow pipit, dunlin, merlin, to a minimum short-eared owl, hen harrier • Keep to paths and tracks, especially Grasslands and hay meadows: during the bird breeding season curlew, lapwing, redshank, snipe, (March-August) skylark, wheatear, grey partridge, • Avoid disturbing birds or keeping yellow wagtail, twite, fieldfare them away from their nests for Woodlands: pied flycatcher, redstart, even short periods especially in wood warbler, woodcock wet or cold weather Rivers and streams: dipper, • Do not try to find nests. All birds, goosander, grey wagtail, grey heron, nests, eggs and young are common sandpiper, oystercatcher protected by law and it is illegal to harm them Scrub, scree and crag: ring ouzel, peregrine, whinchat • Keep dogs on a short lead Open water: mallard, teal, goosander, • Leave gates and property as you coot, moorhen, tufted duck, pochard find them • Take your litter home with you www.northpennines.org.uk © Brian Rafferty © Brian Rafferty

s Curlew s Short-eared owl

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s Red grouse

Black grouse © Brian Rafferty Watching lekking black grouse in the early morning and listening to their distinctive bubbling song is a memorable wildlife watching experience. Black grouse are vulnerable to disturbance – please follow the advice below:

• Avoid looking for black grouse after telescopes. Don't start the engine heavy snowfalls, when birds are under until after lekking has wound down, stress. usually about two hours after dawn. • View leks from a vehicle. Black grouse Alternatively, consider watching a lek pay little attention to stationary in the evening. vehicles that are at least 100 metres • Keep to footpaths, especially in June away. Ensure that you do not block and July, when there may be nesting access and that your presence will not females and young birds present. Do disturb nearby residents. Avoid not go looking for black grouse in approaching a lek on foot, which heather or thick field vegetation, usually disturbs the birds. especially in woodland (birds may fly • Arrive before daybreak. A vehicle into fences, with lethal consequences, stopping once it is light can disturb the if flushed). birds. Stay in your vehicle and watch • Do not bring dogs when you're quietly through binoculars and watching grouse. www.blackgrouse.info l www.rspb.org.uk/advice/watchingbirds

Guided nature watching • Wild North Discovery • Northern Experience Wildlife Tours Meet wildlife face to face; explore the This Northumberland based eco-tourism stunning North Pennines with a wildlife business aims to enhance the experience guide. From an evening with bats and of visitors while maintaining ethical badgers to wildlife tracking in a principles. Join experienced guide woodland or watching black grouse, Martin Kitching on a tour in the North merlin and waders, our activities are Pennines – take in the soundscape of designed to get you closer to nature. Allen Banks as well as the spectacular Alternatively try your hand at moorland of Allendale, Teesdale and bushcrafts, green woodturning on a pole Weardale. With a remarkable density of lathe or willow basket making. From breeding waders and displaying black firecraft and wilderness cooking to grouse and a stunning carpet of making a rolling-pin or a chair. wildflowers, your day in the North Activities can be arranged from half day Pennines will live long in the memory. sessions to a full week. www.northernexperiencewildlifetours.co.uk www.natureholiday.co.uk l 01388 529154 l 01670 827465 l [email protected] l [email protected]

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Nature watching Hay meadows

Species-rich upland hay meadows are one of the rarest grassland habitats in the country. Rich in wildlife and steeped in cultural tradition, the North Pennines holds some of the best meadows in the UK. Only 900ha of upland hay meadow are thought to remain in the UK and 350ha (almost 40%) of this is within the AONB.

insect-eating birds like swallows and house martins. Even at night the meadows supply important insect food for bats. The meadows also provide important feeding sites for yellow wagtail, grey partridge, black grouse and curlew. A living link to the past Hay meadows are thought to have evolved from woodland clearings that Neolithic people began to enlarge by Bursting with life cutting down trees. Over time these Hay meadows are an important clearings grew and farmers began to habitat for wildlife. Even though they harvest the long grass to feed often may look like just another livestock. This tradition has green field, a closer investigation will continued until the present day and reveal a large number of different in some cases the same plot of land plant species. may have been harvested for its hay The very best meadows contain over 30 for almost 6,000 years! species of flowering plants and grasses per square metre, with up to 120 species per field. The special flowers of North Pennines meadows include wood crane's-bill, globeflower and great burnet. The richness of flowering plants means an abundant supply of nectar s Thomas William Bainbridge (Roadside which attracts bees and other House, Newbiggin) trailing pikes with invertebrates. These in turn attract his converted car, aided by the Coatsworth children © Desmond Collinson 48 NORTH PENNINES AONB • POCKET GUIDE 2012/13 North Pennines Pocket Guide 2012_Layout 1 14/03/2012 15:14 Page 49

s Upper Weardale, near St. John’s Chapel Hay Time project Hay Time walks Through this project the AONB The AONB Partnership has produced Partnership works with farmers, a series of three glorious walks from: landowners and others to conserve and AllendaleC1 ; Ireshopeburn C2 ; and enhance the hay meadows of the area Hury Reservoir, BaldersdaleC4 . and to increase public awareness, The 5km (two hour) strolls enjoyment and understanding of this will introduce you to some important habitat. of the best hay meadows in www.northpennines.org.uk the North Pennines.

Available as pdf downloads from www.northpennines.org.uk

‘No ﬁve o’clock on our calendars’: a history of hay time in the North Pennines This 40-page book celebrates the history of hay time in the North Pennines. Principally comprising extracts from oral history interviews undertaken with retired farmers, it contains a wealth of information about how meadows were managed using horses and hand tools in the years after the Second World War and is richly illustrated with period photographs generously donated to the AONB Partnership.

£6.99 (£3.50 for Friends of the North Pennines pages 19 & 20) + £1.50 P+P, direct Also available in local information centres pages 65-67 and other outlets

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Landscape foundations Geology and landscape

Rocks are the building blocks of the stunning North Pennine landscape. The area’s fells and dales, and the rocks, minerals and fossils of which they are made, tell a fascinating story – one which stretches back nearly 500 million years. Tales from old quarrymen Global signiﬁcance For centuries quarrying has been As well as being an AONB the North an important North Pennine Pennines is Britain’s first European industry, and one that continues Geopark. It’s also a founding member of today. the UNESCO-endorsed Global Geoparks This new DVD and booklet from Network. Geoparks are places with the AONB Partnership captures outstanding geology where special the memories and stories of old effort is made to make the most of quarrymen. geological heritage through interpretation, education, conservation The DVD also includes some rare film and nature tourism. footage of working quarries in the 1950s and evocative black and white www.northpennines.org.uk images dating back over a century. www.europeangeoparks.org £9.99 (£5 for Friends of the North Reading the Rocks Pennines – pages 19 & 20) +£1.80 P+P, direct from the AONB Partnership – The AONB Partnership has published pages 63 & 64 a fantastic new book to help you get Also available in local information to grips with the geological story of centres – pages 65-67 and other the North Pennines. outlets Page 13 Rocky weekends New for 2012 the AONB Partnership will be running three weekends of rocky walks and talks to help you unlock the geological and landscape secrets of the North Pennines.

page 16 l www.northpennines.org.uk

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s High Cup Gill The mining legacy Geological highlights Everywhere you look in the North Discover some of the geological gems Pennines you’ll see evidence of past of the AONB, with our leaflets on the mining. The area’s lead mining Geology of the North Pennines, industry was once of world importance Stanhope fossil tree, Frosterley and dominated people’s lives and the Marble and the Whin Sill. landscape. You can still see many • Pages 63-64 to request copies pdfs remains – from shafts and spoil heaps from www.northpennines.org.uk to smelt mills and chimneys. Many other minerals were also mined, • Pick up the leaflets from local adding to the fascinating legacy of a information centres pages 65-67 past industrial age. • Head to High Force page 38 to see the Whin Sill at one of England’s Find out more: most impressive waterfalls • Killhope, the North of England • Discover the fossil tree in front of Lead Mining Museum B2 St. Thomas’s Church, Stanhope page 39 l www.killhope.org.uk l C2 01388 537505 Market Place • See a sculpture made of Frosterley • The Old Blacksmith’s Shop and Marble at the Durham Dales Centre exhibition, Allenheads C2 Enquire at the Hemmel Coffee page 37, or visit Harehope Quarry Shop in Allenheads page 38 to see natural outcrops • Weardale Museum and High House Chapel C2 page 40 l www.weardalemuseum.co.uk l 01388 517433

s Old mine entrance

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Geotrail discovery Walk back in time on ‘geotrails’ across the North Pennines. Discover lead mining heritage in Blanchland, Allenheads and Slitt Wood in Weardale, explore Ashes Quarry in Stanhope and find out about the Whin Sill at Holwick and volcanic rocks near Dufton. These publications will help you read the landscape and discover more about its fascinating past.

Pages 63-64 to request copies of these geotrails Wheels to the Wild Cycle Route www.northpennines.org.uk (pdfs) Three geotrails (Cow Green, Knock & Turn your wheel to the wild and Tynehead) are available as pdfs discover some of the best cycling in the www.northpennines.org.uk AONB and explore the area’s geology The Slitt Wood & West Rigg Geotrail and landscape. 122km, three-day, route booklet costs £2 pages 63-64 split into 48, 42 and 33km legs. The guide also includes three day routes suitable for mountain and hybrid cycles: • Waskerley Round (33.5km) • Swinhope High Challenge (38km) • Killhope Round (32km)

Special discount £2 (reduced from £5) direct from the AONB Partnership (pages 63 & 64). Includes accommodation and services booklet

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Outdoor activities Walking

If you crave big skies and the wide open, rolling views typical of moorland landscapes away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, then the North Pennines is for you. The AONB has a large network of footpaths and bridleways for the keen walker to explore, as well as extensive areas of open country.

• Hay Time Walks 3 miles • Slitt Wood & West Rigg Geotrail 3 miles Three glorious walks from Allendale C1 , Westgate, Weardale. Discover mineral Ireshopeburn C2 and Hury Reservoir, deposits and see how working them has Baldersdale C4 . Each two hour stroll shaped the local landscape. C2 introduces you to some of the best hay pages 63 & 64 meadows in the AONB. pdf downloads at • South Tyne Trail 23 miles www.northpennines.org.uk Enjoy this spectacular walk from the stone sculpture at the source, down the 268 miles • Pennine Way South Tyne Valley to Haltwhistle B1 . Some of the best bits of this National Trail are in the North Pennines. From www.northpennines.org.uk Edale to Kirk Yetholm, Scotland. • Isaac’s Tea Trail 36 miles www.nationaltrail.co.uk/PennineWay Follow the footsteps of Isaac Holden on this circular trail from Allendale. C1 • Wainwright’s Pennine Journey 247 miles The modern version of Alfred www.northumberlandlife.org/teatrail Wainwright’s 1938 walk – explores the 1 heart of the AONB. • The Poetry Path, Kirkby Stephen 2 ⁄2miles Celebrate the hill farmer's relationship www.penninejourney.org.uk with the landscape. 12 poems carved into • Teesdale Way 90 miles blocks along a circular route. B4 Follows the River Tees from the North Kirkby Stephen information centre Pennines to the sea. page 67 A guidebook by Martin Collins and 2-11 miles Paddy Dillon is available - • John Martin Heritage Trail Discover the landscape which www.cicerone.co.uk influenced the painter! South of Haydon Bridge . • Weardale Way 73 miles C1 Traces the route of the River Wear from www.haydon-bridge.co.uk Cowshill to the sea at Wearmouth. There 1 are circular day walks, linked to the • Whitley Castle up to 7 ⁄2 miles route, eg Rookhope Fields & Fells - 3 & 5 Walk from Alston B2 to Whitley Castle mile walks. C2 Roman Fort and back. www.weardaleway.com l pdf download from www.durham.gov.uk www.northpennines.org.uk

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Self-guided walks Lots of self-guided trails and books are available for walks across the North Pennines – the best way to find out about them in the area you plan to visit is to contact the nearest information centre. pages 65-67 Lace up your boots – festivals and guided walks Rocky weekends New for 2012 the AONB Partnership will be running three weekends of rocky walks and talks to help you unlock the geological and landscape secrets of the North Pennines. page 16 l www.northpennines.org.uk

Haltwhistle Walking Festivals The Haltwhistle Partnership is running two walking festivals in 2012 (28 April-7 May & 6-14 October). The walks are led by experienced local leaders exploring the landscape and heritage around Haltwhistle B1 – walks are in the North Pennines AONB, Northumberland National Park and around Hadrian’s Wall. The Partnership are also organising a long distance challenge event on 19 May.

For details and to request Festival Programmes: www.haltwhistlewalkingfestival.org l 01434 322025 l [email protected]

Durham County Council walks Durham County Council’s Countryside Service runs a programme of guided walks and countryside activities, including volunteering opportunities, many within the North Pennines.

For more details: www.durham.gov.uk l 0191 3729100 l [email protected] For further details of other organisations running events and activities, including guided walks, in the North Pennines. page 17

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Walking and dogs Please keep dogs under close control at all times. The North Pennines is home to around 22,000 pairs of breeding wading birds. These birds nest on the ground and are extremely vulnerable to disturbance by dogs. Also in the spring time moorland sheep are lambing – another reason to be careful with your dog. Dogs on Public Rights of Way All public footpaths, bridleways and other Public Rights of Way provide opportunities in the North Pennines for you to walk with your dog. Please always follow the Countryside Code and the Moorland Visitors' Code. page 11 Dogs in open country The rights on access land extend to walking with dogs. However, they must be on a fixed lead no more than 2m long between 1 March and 31 July to limit disturbance to ground nesting birds. They must also be on a short fixed lead at any time near livestock and nesting birds. Please follow local information signs and check for exclusions of dogs at www.naturalengland.org.uk l 0845 6003078 as much of the North Pennines is used for the rearing of red grouse. 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

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Walking Open Access

Walking on access land is a very different experience to following public rights of way, mostly because you can make up your own route and explore where you like. On access land you can walk, sightsee, picnic, birdwatch, climb, run and cross- country ski. But there is no right to ride a cycle or horse, camp, drive vehicles, hanglide, paraglide, use a metal detector, use boats, collect stones, plants or wood, light or cause fires or swim.

Open Access guides Two downloads are available to help you find out about open access in the AONB: • Discover Open Country in the North Pennines, includes circular routes from Youth Hostels in the AONB available as a pdf file at www.northpennines.org.uk • Open Access in the North Pennines includes five suggested routes across open country, a map showing access land in the AONB and lots of guidance and advice available as a pdf file at www.northpennines.org.uk

Find out more: • OS Explorer maps published after May 2005 show access land • Visit www.naturalengland.org.uk for information on restrictions to walk on access land and for general information • Call the Open Access Helpline on 0845 1003298 • Visit a Primary Information Point – locations on OS Explorer maps • Contact the County Councils: Cumbria – 01228 606060; Durham – 0300 123 7070; Northumberland – 01670 533000 • www.cumbriacc.gov.uk/openaccesswalks

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Outdoor activities Cycling s Hartside Packhorse Trail The North Pennines offers loads of fantastic opportunities to discover the area by bike. Routes vary from car-free level trails suitable for families to more challenging moorland single track and steep minor roads for experienced mountain bikers, cycle tourists and road cyclists. Packhorse Trails Discover these five new routes for mountain bikers and horse riders. The routes take in some of the highlights of the area’s inspiring scenery and are all based on 18th century packhorse trails, once used to transport lead and other goods.

page 14 s Alston Packhorse Trail Wheels to the Wild! Discover the spectacular geology and landscape of the North Pennines on this three-day (122km) cycle touring route. Also three mountain bike/hybrid day rides. Reduced to £2 for 2012. page 52 National Cycle Routes • C2C Cycle Route. The UK’s most popular ‘challenge’ cycle route (from Whitehaven or Workington to Newcastle or Sunderland). The 140 mile (79 traffic-free) route passes right through the heart of the North Pennines. www.c2c-guide.co.uk l www.sustrans.org • Walney to Wear and Whitby Cycle Route. Inspired by the pioneering C2C, the W2W route passes through a variety of stunning countryside, including the southern part of the AONB. www.cyclingw2w.info l www.sustrans.org • Pennine Cycle Way runs for 335 miles between Derby and Berwick-upon-Tweed, passing through the North Pennines on its way. www.sustrans.org

Two new cycling events for 2012 • North Pennines MTB 100. Three mountain bike loops – Enduro Full (100km), Enduro Lite (65km) and Enduro Half (52km). 7 July 2012 www.northpenninesmtb100.info • Etape Pennines. 78-mile traffic free road route. Start and finish Ushaw College, Durham. 7 October 2012 www.etapepennines.co.uk

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Trafﬁc-free routes Cycle hire and shops The Waskerley Way (Weardale), the ActivCycles C1 Tees Railway Walk (Teesdale) D2 Address 17 Watling Street, Corbridge, www.durham.gov.uk and Derwent Northumberland NE45 5AH Reservoir multi-user path are great T. 01434 632950 E. [email protected] traffic-free, easy gradient, cycle routes W. www.activ-cycles.co.uk ideal for families. Hamsterley Forest D3 Hire No is also a great place to find traffic-free Other Sales, accessories, repairs routes page 38 . Appleby Electric Bike Hire B3 Address Midland Hotel, 25 Clifford Street, Mountain biking in the forest Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria CA16 6TS (next to train station) Hamsterley Forest D3 has excellent T. 017683 51524 terrain for mountain biking, offering E. [email protected] routes for a range of abilities - W. www.appleby- cumbria.co.uk/electricbikehire including: The Loop – skills area; Hire Electric bikes downhill for experienced riders; and Arragon’s Cycle Centre A3 three, colour coded, waymarked trails Contact Sarah or Phil (Blue – 9 miles, Red – 10 miles and Address 2 Brunswick Road, Penrith, Cumbria Black – 7 miles). Don’t miss the CA11 7LU mountain bike friendly Hamsterley T. 01768 890344 E. [email protected] Tearooms, open between April and Nov. W. www.arragonscycles.com Hire Mountain, hybrids Other Sales, service, repairs, parts, accessories

s Hamsterley Forest

www.forestry.gov.uk/hamsterleyforest l www.hamsterley-trailblazers.co.uk l www.descend–hamsterley.co.uk l Hamsterley Tearooms 01388 488822

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The Bike Shop C1 Pedalpushers A1 Contact John Swan Contact Nick & Maggie Davis Address 16 St Mary’s Chare, Hexham, Address Lonnings End, Sandy Lonning, Northumberland NE46 1NQ Brampton, Cumbria CA8 1RA T. 01434 601032 T. 01697 742387 / 07770 976187 W. www.thebikeshophexham.com E. [email protected] Hire Hybrids Hire Range of bikes available for road and Other Sales, repairs, parts and accessories moderate off-road use. Childrens’ bikes and a tandem also available. Helmets, locks and puncture repair kits included in hire. Other Collection/delivery & transfer service. Local route maps. Service and repairs Spitﬁre Cycles D4 Contact Richard Varcoe Address 44 Galgate, Barnard Castle, County Durham DL12 8BH T. 01833 690640 E. [email protected] C2C Bike Repairs B2 W. www.spitfirecycles.co.uk Contact Mark Fearn Other Sales, servicing, repairs, upgrades, Address Nenthead, Nr Alston, Cumbria parts and accessories T. 07776 098915 & 01434 382194 E. [email protected] Wood ‘N’ Wheels D3 W. www.markfearn.co.uk Contact Martin Stout Hire No Address Hamsterley Forest, Redford, Bishop Other Bike & rider recovery, roadside Auckland, Co. Durham DL13 3NL assistance, parts (new & used), specialist T. 0333 8008222 (local cost from a landline workshop repairs (inc. wheels) to get you and reduced cost from a mobile) back on the road E. [email protected] W. www.woodnwheels.co.uk North Pennine Cycles B2 Hire Mountain – adults and children (down Contact David & Pat Raeside to 16” wheel), child seats and tagalongs Address Old Post Office, Nenthead, Cumbria CA9 3PF Other Sales (new & ex-hire), repairs, accessories & parts, groups catered for T. 01434 381324 with trained guide, bikes can be delivered E. [email protected] to your accommodation, light hire on W. www.northpenninecycles.co.uk winter Wed nights, cycle repair courses Hire Mountain, kids, tandem Other Repair, rescue, baggage transfer (C2C – Keswick to Park Head), retail, servicing (Cytech 2), parts, accessories

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Outdoor activities Fishing

The North Pennines boasts some of the finest upland reservoirs and rivers, renowned for the quality of their fishing. Whether you want an almost guaranteed catch on stocked water, or want to pit yourself against wild salmon, brown and sea trout – the North Pennines could be the fishing destination for you. Reservoirs Northumbrian Water looks after lots of well stocked (rainbow and brown trout) and attractive upland reservoirs, with average catches of between four and five fish. There are opportunities for coarse, fly and multi-bait fishing at Derwent D2 , Cow Green B3 , Selset C3 , Grassholme C3 , Balderhead C4 , Blackton C4 and Hury C3 reservoirs across the North Pennines. Find out more… Call Northumbrian Water on 0845 1550236 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) to request your free ‘Go Fishing Guide’ or visit www.nwl.co.uk/gofishing Have a go… If you fancy an introduction to the world of fly or multi-bait trout fishing for trout why not sign up for a ‘Try it day’ at Derwent Reservoir D2 ? • Three-hour fishing lesson – all tackle provided • Call Derwent Reservoir Lodge on 01207 255250 for details and to book

s Derwent Reservoir s New Mills Trout Farm Family ﬁshing • Bessy Beck Trout Fishery, near Kirkby Stephen B4 l 015396 23303 l www.bessybecktrout.co.uk • New Mills Trout Farm, near Brampton A1 l 016977 41115 l www.newmillstroutfarm.net

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s River Tees Rivers and lakes Rivers and lakes in the North Pennines offer some of the best brown trout, sea trout and salmon fisheries in the country: River South Tyne River Eden (Alston to Langley Viaduct) B2 Day fishing beats on the Eden and its Alston and District Angling Association tributaries (voucher system) Fly and spinning only http://gowild.edenriverstrust.org.uk l Day and week permits from: 01768 866788 Alston Post Office, Angel Inn (Alston) & Kirkstyle Inn (nr Slaggyford) River Tyne: Tyne Angling Passport Voucher system for day fishing beats on the River Tees Tyne and its tributaries (Barnard Castle) D4 www.tyneriverstrust.org Barnard Castle Angling Club Day and week permits River Wear Details from: (Stanhope Gauging Station to Rookhope Burn, F.E. Wilkinson Country Sports Shop, Eastgate) C2 Barnard Castle. 01833 631118 Weardale Fly Fishers Club River Tees Fly until 1 Sept then also worm and (Upper Tees North Bank) C3 spinning Raby Estate Day permits from: Fly only Stanhope Newsagents, Front Street, Day permits from: Stanhope Raines Ironmongers/Raby Estate Office in Langley Dam (image left) C1 Middleton-in-Teesdale or shop at High Force (14 acre lake, off the A686 near Haydon Bridge) Fly only Stocked weekly with rainbow trout Various day permits and boat hire available 01434 688846 for details and to book

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 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 0844 800 5386 or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk

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Outdoor activities Horse riding

The North Pennines offers a range of opportunities for horse riding, from leisurely, guided pony rides for beginners to technical upland hacks across historic packhorse trails page 14 for the more experienced.

Riding centres & services Bank House Equestrian A3 Contact Ray and Nancy Atkinson Address Bank House, Little Salkeld, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 1NN T. 01768 881257 E. [email protected] W. www.bankhouseequestrian.co.uk About Lessons, indoor/outdoor arena hire, livery, rider accommodation, overnight stabling

Booze Wood C4 Raygill Riding Centre D4 Contact Christene Allison Address Raygill Farm, Lartington, Barnard Address Booze Wood, Baldersdale, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham DL12 9UN Castle, Co. Durham DL12 9DG T. 01833 650690 T. 01833 638739 or 07919 996045 E. [email protected] E. [email protected] About Livery, overnight stabling, trekking W. www.raygillridingcentre.co.uk for riders with own horse About Riding holidays, trekking Hamsterley Riding School D3 Sinderhope Trekking Centre C2 Contact Judy Dennis Contact Lisa or Robert Philipson Address Dixon Carr Farm, Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham DL13 3NH Address High Sinderhope, Sinderhope, Allendale, Northumberland NE47 9SH T. 01388 488328 or 07774 971423 T. 01434 685266 About Trekking, lessons E. [email protected] W. www.sinderhopeponytrekking.co.uk About Trekking, lessons, indoor arena hire

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

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Publication requests 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, with any payment required, to the address below: North Pennines AONB Partnership Weardale Business Centre The Old Co-op Building 1 Martin Street Stanhope, Bishop Auckland County Durham DL13 2UY

Your details Title First name Surname Address Postcode Day time tel Email address

Please tick if you would like to receive information about things to see and do in the North Pennines, the work of the AONB Partnership and how to get involved and we’ll be in touch (note that we will not share your details with any other organisations)

Publications are FREE unless otherwise stated Walking Along the river bank (Blanchland) Over the hill to Cowbyre Farm (Blanchland) Newbiggin and the Carriers’ Way (Blanchland) Forest-in-Teesdale Storywalk Derwent Reservoir & Pow Hill Country Park

Geology and landscape Geology of the North Pennines Stanhope Fossil Tree Frosterley Marble The Whin Sill Blanchland Geotrail Allenheads Geotrail Dufton Geotrail Ashes Quarry Geowalk (Stanhope) Low Force and Holwick Geotrail

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Cycling Biking around Alston

Peatlands Peatlands of the North Pennines Moorland Flowers, Grasses, Shrubs, Mosses and Lichens Identification Guide

General What’s Special about the North Pennines? North Pennines News – Spring and Summer 2012 Water Voles in the North Pennines North Pennines Management Plan 2009-14

• Visit www.northpennines.org.uk and visit our Publications pages to access pdf downloads of the above leaﬂets Paid for books and guides Reading the Rocks: Exploring the geology and landscape of the North Pennines £8 (+£1.80p&p) cheques payable to ‘Friends of the North Pennines’ Slitt Wood and West Rigg Geotrail £2 (free postage) cheques payable to ‘Friends of the North Pennines’ Packhorse Trails – for horse riders £6 (+£1.50p&p) cheques payable to ‘Friends of the North Pennines’ Packhorse Trails – for mountain bikers £6 (+£1.50p&p) cheques payable to ‘Friends of the North Pennines’ Wheels to the Wild Cycle Route Reduced to £2 (from £5) (+£1.50p&p) cheques payable to ‘Friends of the North Pennines’ The Quarrymen DVD £9.99 (+£1.50p&p) cheques payable to ‘Durham County Council’ ‘No five o’clock on our calendars’: A history of hay time in the North Pennines £6.99 (+£1.50p&p) cheques payable to ‘Durham County Council’ Special offer for 2012 Buy* the ‘Packhorse Trails* – for mountain bikers’ guide together with the ‘Wheels to the Wild Cycle Route’ and get both for £8 (+£1.80p&p) – saving almost £4! cheques payable to ‘Friends of the North Pennines’

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About the North Pennines Finding out more

Information centres are great places to ﬁnd out more about the North Pennines. Knowledgeable and friendly staff are on hand providing a wide range of services. You’ll ﬁnd lots of information on places to visit and local events, including a range of publications, as well as where to stay and public transport options.

Accommodation booking service Wheelchair accessible Wheelchair accessible toilets

Internet access Photocopying Local theatre tickets Cafe Loop system

Alston Appleby-in-Westmorland Alston Local Links, Moot Hall, Boroughgate, Appleby-in- Town Hall, Front Street, Alston, Westmorland, Cumbria CA16 6XE Cumbria CA9 3RF e: [email protected] e: [email protected] t: 017683 51177 t: 01434 382244 w: www.applebytown.org.uk w: www.visiteden.co.uk Opening times: Opening times: • Summer: Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm; Sun • Up to 14/10/12 Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; 10.30am-2.30pm Sun 11am-3pm • Winter: Mon-Thur 10am-1pm; Fri • 15/10/12-11/03/13: Mon, Fri 10am-5pm; 10am-3pm; Sat 10am-2pm Tues-Thur & Sat 10am-3pm; Sun closed

Conference booking facility Barnard Castle Woodleigh, Flatts Road Barnard Castle, Co. Durham DL12 8AA e: [email protected] t: 01833 631107 w: www.teesdalediscovery.com

s Alston

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Bishop Auckland Corbridge Town Hall, Market Place, Bishop Auckland Hill Street, Corbridge Co. Durham DL14 7NP Northumberland NE45 5AA e: [email protected] e: [email protected] t: 01388 604922/602610 t: 01434 632815 w: www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk w: www.visitnorthumberland.com Opening times: Opening times: • Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 9am-4pm • Until 31/03/12: Wed, Fri, Sat 11am- • Closed Bank Holidays 4pm • 01/04/12-31/10/12: Mon-Sat 10am- 123 4.30pm (closed 1pm-1.30pm); closed Sun • 01/11/12-31/01/13: Wed, Fri, Sat 11am- 1 When Café is open (Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm) 4pm 2 Family history resources are available on the last Thur every month; 10am-12pm & 2-4pm 3 Town Hall & Darlington Civic Theatre

Haltwhistle Brampton Mechanics Institute, Haltwhistle Moot Hall, Brampton, Cumbria CA8 1RW Northumberland NE49 0AX e: [email protected] e: [email protected] t: 016977 3433 t: 01434 322002 w: www.discovercarlisle.co.uk w: www.visitnorthumberland.com Opening times: Opening times: • Summer: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm • 01/04/12-31/10/12: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm (closed 1pm-1.30pm)

Durham Visitor Contact Centre Hexham e: [email protected] Wentworth Car Park, Hexham t: 03000 262626 (calls are charged at a Northumberland NE46 1QE local rate, mobiles may vary. Texts - e: [email protected] standard network charges apply) t: 01434 652220 Skype: ThisisDurham w: www.visitnorthumberland.com w: www.thisisdurham.com Opening times: Opening times: • Until 31/03/12: Mon-Sat 10am-4.30pm • Open all year: Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm; • 01/04/12-31/10/12: Mon-Sat 9.30am- Sun (& Bank Holidays) 11am-4pm 5pm, Sun 11am-4pm

Visitor information, route planning Also: and travel information • Fishing Permits for River Tyne at Hexham • Hadrian’s Wall Bus tickets

Surf the web… Visit our website at www.northpennines.org.uk for a wide range of information on the North Pennines AONB and European Geopark

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Kirkby Stephen Market Street, Kirkby Stephen Cumbria CA17 4QN e: [email protected] t: 017683 71199 © Eden Tourism w: www.visiteden.co.uk Opening times: • Winter: Daily (except Thur & Sun) 10am-12 noon • Summer: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 11am-3pm

s Kirkby Stephen

Middleton-in-Teesdale Stanhope 10 Market Place, Middleton-in-Teesdale Durham Dales Centre, Castle Gardens Co. Durham DL12 0QG Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham e: [email protected] DL13 2FJ t: 01833 641001 e: [email protected] w:www.middletonplus.org.uk t: 01388 527650 Opening times: w: www.durhamdalescentre.co.uk • Daily 10am-1pm Opening times: • Until 31/03/12: Daily 10am-4pm • 01/04/12-30/10/12: Daily 10am-5pm

Penrith Middlegate, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7PT e: [email protected] t: 01768 867466 w www.visiteden.co.uk Opening times: • Winter: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm • Summer: Open daily *

*Theatre by the Lake (Keswick), Penrith Players, National Express & Eurolines agents s Middleton-in-Teesdale Also: • Next to Penrith & Eden Museum

Parts of the North Pennines are in the three counties of Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland: www.thisisdurham.com • www.visitnorthumberland.com • www.golakes.co.uk www.visiteden.co.uk • www.discovercarlisle.co.uk www.discoverweardale.com • www.teesdalediscovery.com

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The North Pennines is one of England’s most special places – a peaceful, unspoilt landscape with a rich history and vibrant natural beauty. In recognition of this it is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The area is also a Global Geopark – an accolade endorsed by UNESCO.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of things to see and do in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Global Geopark.

North Pennines AONB Partnership NorthPenninesAONB www.northpennines.org.uk @NorthPennAONB +44 (0)1388 528801 [email protected] northpennines

The AONB Partnership has a Green Tourism award for its corporate ofﬁce

This publication has been funded by:

… as part of their support for the North Pennines AONB Partnership 03/12/24K