Tag Archives: Durham Dales

The Durham Dales, incorporating Teesdale and Weardale, is a peaceful and tranquil landscape of moors and hills, valleys and meandering rivers, dotted with picturesque villages and market towns. Part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the Durham Dales truly is a special place and the perfect choice for your next holiday of exploration.

The green and tranquil town of Stanhope in Weardale is at the heart of the Durham Dales, and is home to the Durham Dales Centre where you will find craft shops a plenty and an award-winning tea room.

Visit High House Chapel, the world’s oldest Methodist Chapel still in continuous weekly use, and the Weardale Museum – a small independent folk museum where visitors can discover what life was like in Weardale in the 19th Century.

Take the pleasant woodland walk to High Force, the highest unbroken fall of water in England, where the River Tees spectacularly drops 21 metres – an awe-inspiring sight! Barnard Castle in Teesdale is another idyllic market town, and is home to The Bowes Museum, a magnificent French-style château which houses one of the greatest collections of fine and decorative arts in an array of stunning galleries. Nearby Raby Castle, built in the 14th Century, is one of the finest medieval castles in England. Set in 250 acre deer park with beautiful walled gardens, Raby is a must-visit.

Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum, is a multi-award-winning Victorian Museum and the most complete lead mining site in Great Britain. It features a huge working water wheel and visitors can experience the life and work of lead mining families and put on hard hats to descend into the mine to take a tour underground – an unforgettable experience.

And don’t miss Hamsterley Forest – a fantastic adventure playground of woodland with walks, cycle routes and horse riding trails open to all. A mountain-bikers dream, visitors can hire bikes in the forest and tackle a range of rides to suit all abilities.

When it’s time to refuel, you’ll find great places to eat along the way, from tempting treats in market town tearooms, to hearty countryside meals in traditional country pubs, it’s all on the menu in the Durham Dales.

For more local visitor information on Weardale and Teesdale, take a look at  www.discoverweardale.com and www.exploreteesdale.com.