A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WEARDALE      

 Weardale Stanhope Weardale Scenery


Weardale is that part of the valley of the River Wear that represents the upper course of the river valley. It is a geographically distinct area that passes a hightly distinctive landscape of great beauty and variety. It is an area of contrasts that provide a harmonious blend of unique ingredients that combine to create a highly individual landscape. Amongst the many facets that comprise the jewel that is Weardale, are its green valley covered with countless miles of drystone walls that create a patchwork pattern of field boundaries, the vast expanses of wild grassland fells and the purple blanket of heather moorland-crowned peat deposits.

This hidden corner of England awaits discovery and exploration, both by car and on foot. Indeed, the open moorland watersheds provide excellent unrestricted panoramic views that are differently breath-taking and awe-inspiring in different conditions. Some personal favourites include travelling from the edge of the river basin at the Cumbria border and marking the western extremity at Weardale. On a late summer's day, just before sunset, there is a rich golden cast to the panorama that produces a magnificent richness to the already varying different colours of the landscape; descending towards Killhope and Cowshill is a true delight. Other remarkable vistas are those seen on the high routeways crossing from Langdan Beck in Upper Teesdale to St. John's Chapel in Weardale and the road from Middleton-in-Teesdale and Eggleston to either Stanhope or Frosterley. The beauty of the open expanses are also to be well-enjoyed travelling from the north, particularly on the routes from both Allenheads and Rookhope.

It was earlier stated that Weardale is an area of contrasts...and this is certainly true in so many different ways. The farming landscape is varied with its mix of in-bye, allotment and open fell. However, the landscape is full of variety and character as there are areas of forest, notably the huge expanse of Hamsterley Forest that offers so much of interest and activity for visitors. In addition the area has its 'lakes', such as Burnhope and Tunstall Reservoirs which, although created by man, add another aspect and further quality to the Weardale tapestry. In addition there is so much of historical fascination to see, such as the majestic Auckland Castle, the magnificent 7th Century Saxon Church at Escomb and the Killhope Lead Mining Centre. Furthermore, we must not forget that much of the area is located within the  North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and also has some important nature reserves. Wear Valley possesses a unique blend of beauty, history, heritage and landforms, yet for the most part it still remains relatively undiscovered.

The Wear Valley Trail has been specifically developed to encourage both residents of and visitors to Wear Valley, to explore the area, discover its treasures and to partake of its delights. Starting at the Killhope Lead Mining Centre and continuing downstream to end at the busy market town of Bishop Auckland, the Wear Valley Trail provides an excellent single, linear, 43 mile long-distance walk that should prove appealing to those more experienced walkers who are searching for a new challenge. However, the Trail has been divided into twelve different sections that can be completed in either a linear or circular format.

Whatever your approach, we hope that you will enjoy your experiences and find your personal discovery both stimulating and rewarding.

 

07932 440 550
01388 527 851
ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE AT THE FOSSIL TREE B&B STANHOPE in WEARDALE, COUNTY DURHAM

THE GATEWAY TO WEARDALE




SOME HISTORY FROM STANHOPE

Stanhope is the `capital' of Weardale and its Anglo-Saxon name, meaning `stony valley', is a good description of the Wear and the burns in the area. Like many towns in the North Pennine dales, Stanhope grew most significantly in the nineteenth century as a lead mining centre, but is unmistakably a dalestown.In 1818 Stanhope was the site of a most unusual battle which involved the local lead miners and the Prince Bishop of Durham.When times got hard, the lead miners of Weardale had come to regard it as their right to shoot the game which was so plentiful in their valley.

The Bishop of Durham had a different view and regarded such activities as poaching. He warned the lead miners that it would have to stop.When the poaching continued the bishop brought an army of his men into the Wear valley, arrested the suspected poaching ring leaders and temporarily imprisoned them in a local inn. Hearing of the arrests, a large and angry crowd of lead miners quickly gathered outside the inn and demanded the release of the men.It was not long before a violent `battle' broke out, in which the Bishop's men were heavily defeated by the lead miners. Although no one was actually killed, much blood was shed and one man is said to have lost an eye. This bloody event known as `The Battle of Stanhope' is commemorated in a lengthy folk ballad called The Bonny Moor Hen, a few verses can be found below;

THE BONNY MOOR HEN

"You brave lads of Weardale, I pray lend an ear
The account of a battle you quickly shall here,
That was fought by the miners, so well you may ken
By claiming a right to the bonny moor hen.

Oh this bonny moor hen, as it plainly appears,
She belonged to their fathers some hundreds of years;
But the miners of Weardale are all valiant men,
They will fight till they die for their bonny moor hen.

Oh the miners in Weardale, they are bred to the game
, They level their pieces and make sure of their aim;
When the shot it goes off - Oh, the powder doth sing,
They are sure to take off, a leg or a wing

Now, the times being hard and provisons being dear,
The miners were starving almost we do hear;
They had nought to depend on, so well you may ken,
But to make what they could of their bonny moor hen.

There's the fat man of Auckland and Durham the same
Lay claim to the moors and likewise the game
They send word to the miners they would have them to ken
They would stop them from shooting the bonny moor hen.

Of these words they were carried to Weardale with speed
Which made the poor miners hang down their heeds
But then sent an answer they would have them to ken
They would fight till they died for their bonny moor hen.

When this answer it came to the gentlemen's ears,
An army was risen, it quickly appears;

Land stewards, bum bailiffs, and game-keepers too,
Were all ordered to Weardale to fight their way through.

Oh this battle was fought all in Stanhope town,
When the chimneys did reek and the soot it fell down
Such a battle was ne'er fought in Stanhope before
And I hope such a battle will ne'er be fought more."

ANCIENT FINDS AT STANHOPE:

Stanhope is associated with two notable ancient discoveries. One is a 250 million year old fossilized tree stump, which can be seen in Stanhope's churchyard, directly over the road from the Fossil Tree Bed & Breakfast, the other the famous nineteenth century Heathery Burn Cave finding.In 1859 this great archeological discovery was made in the hills above Stanhope, in which a huge collection of Bronze Age items were uncovered, including edvidence of the earliest use of wheeled vehicles in the British Isles.The items found at the Heathery Burn cave, seem to have belonged to a particularly wealthy Bronze Age family, whose skeletons were also uncovered. For some unknown reason, perhaps a flash flood, the family had become trapped in this cave some 3000 years ago. Today the findings of the Heathery Burn Cave are kept in the British Museum, London.


07932 440 550
01388 527 851
ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE AT THE FOSSIL TREE B&B STANHOPE in WEARDALE, COUNTY DURHAM

THE GATEWAY TO WEARDALE
 
 
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