Local Area Information
There is plenty to see in Weardale and the surrounding area. The nearest local villages are Frosterley (2 miles away) and the villages of Stanhope and Wolsingham are about 5 miles away.
PLACES TO VISIT IN WEARDALE - all distances are approximate.
Bollihope
The area around the cottage is called ‘Lower Bollihope’ and the stream is the Bollihope Burn feeding into the River Wear. The area is rich in mining history – firstly lead mining, then limestone quarrying. The surrounding moorlands are now home to Swaledale sheep and lambs as well as a variety of birdlife. In late summer the moors are ablaze with colour as the heather flowers.
Frosterley
2 miles / 5 minutes
The nearest village to the cottage, with a small Co-op with post office, The Frosterley Inn, fish and chip shop, art gallery, railway station. See the examples of Frosterley marble in the small car park by the village hall and on the station platform!
Stanhope
5 miles / 12 minutes
St Thomas’ Church with a Frosterley marble font and a stone fossil tree in the churchyard is worth a visit.
The Durham Dales Centre is in the village with parking, local craft shops, tea room and gift shop. The village also has a Co-op, fish and chip shop, butcher, baker, cafés, Indian takeaway, pubs (Bonny Moorhen, The Grey Bull and The Packhorse Inn), doctor’s and chemist, vets and cash machine. There is a heritage railway (seasonal, from April running to Bishop Auckland) with a cafe in the station.
Wolsingham
6 miles / 12 minutes
The village has cafés, pubs (Bay Horse, Black Bull and Black Lion), butcher, chemist, bakery and cafe, Italian restaurant, Chinese takeaway, library (Monday, Friday and Saturday morning), sports hall, swimming pool and gym (Leazes Lane). There is a Spar shop and petrol station on the way out of the village.
There’s a lovely, small reservoir to walk around at Tunstall with a nature reserve at the far end to view birdlife. It is signed as you approach Wolsingham from Frosterley.
Eastgate
7.6 miles / 14 minutes
Eastgate is a small hamlet three miles to the west of Stanhope. Beside the bus shelter is a replica of a Roman altar dedicated to the god Sylvanus. It was erected by Aurelius Quernius , the Roman cavalry commander from Longovicium fort (Lanchester) to give thanks for the successful hunting down of a very large wild boar. The original altar is now in a museum in Durham. The altar shows that during Roman times Weardale must have been a favourite hunting ground for soldiers from nearby forts.
At Christmas time Eastgate is well known for its illuminated decorations.
Westgate
10.5 miles / 19 minutes
A scenic walk along the river through Slitt Woods then over to the mine workings and over the moors (about 4 miles) starts from Westgate.
In late October/early November you may see sea trout leaping as they try to return to their spawning grounds – look for them when you first reach the river.
St John's Chapel
12 miles / 21 minutes
St John’s Chapel is the largest village in the upper dale with a population of about 300, and has a town hall with fortnightly cinema and a food store. The village hosts the one day Weardale Agricultural Show on the last Saturday in August.
Daddry Shield is a small hamlet a short distance from St John’s Chapel.
Ireshopeburn
13 miles / 23 minutes
The tiny hamlet of Ireshopeburn (pronounced Eyes-Up-Burn) is home to the Weardale Museum and High House Chapel, the oldest purpose built Methodist Chapel and local museum. Seasonal opening, run by volunteers, small admission charge.
Blanchland
14 miles / 30 minutes
With an interesting church belonging to the former abbey, this pretty, photogenic village set beside the river has tea rooms and a pub. The village was recreated in the 18th century from the ruins of a medieval monastery.
There is a pleasant walk from the car park up to Shildon engine house and Penny Pie House, looping back on a moor track.
Burnhope Reservoir
Burnhope Reservoir is a reservoir above the village of Wearhead. The reservoir was created by the construction of an earth embankment dam across the valley of Burnhope Burn, a tributary of the River Wear.
You can do an enjoyable, short, circular walk on the flat.