Teesdale
Teesdale is the next dale across from Weardale, accessed via the B6278 over Shaftwell Head. Middleton in Teesdale and Barnard Castle are the two towns of any size. Much of the area is owned by the Raby Estate, as witnessed by the white paint used on all their buildings. The area is a little more cultivated than Weardale.
High Force Waterfall
15 miles / 30 minutes
Park at the High Force Hotel (parking charges) and pay to walk down to view the upper Falls.
Alternatively walk along the river from Low Force for some great views.
Low Force Waterfall
13 miles / 25 minutes
Park at Bowlees Visitor Centre DL12 0XE. Parking (pay and display). Walk across the field to Low Force waterfalls and the swing wynch bridge and another 2-3 miles along the river to High Force.
The Café in the Bowlees Visitor Centre open Easter to October.
You can also do a short walk from Bowlees car park to Gibson’s Cave and Summerhill Force.
Cauldron Snout
20 miles / 37 minutes
Park at Cow Green Reservoir and walk a few miles along the track to reach Cauldron Snout on the Pennine Way where water pours 60 metres down the hillside. The whole area is beautiful and designated a Dark Skies Area.
Visit in late spring to see the rare blue Mountain Gentian flowers – they only grow here, on the Irish Burren and in the Alps.
Barnard Castle
15 miles / 25 minutes
The market town (known locally as 'Barney') has the ruined Barnard Castle (admission charge, seasonal) set high above the River Tees in its centre.
With tea shops, market, Morrisons supermarket, pubs, restaurants (including Indian and Italian), Chinese takeaway, fish and chip shops, community hospital (not A&E) and vets its a great place to visit.
The Bowes Museum
16 miles / 30 minutes
Just outside Barnard Castle, Bowes Museum was inspired by a French chateau. Built as a museum and former stately home, with special collections on art, fashion and design as well as the furnished rooms and special events and exhibitions. A silver Swan automaton plays daily at 2.00pm. Admission charge, but guests at Belle View Cottage can have a 20% discount code. Open all year. Café and gift shop.
Bowes Castle
18 miles / 35 minutes
A ruined 12th century keep built on the site of a Roman fort, now owned by English Heritage. There is a nice walk along the river and back via the castle.
Raby Castle
20 miles / 30 minutes
On the outskirts of Staindrop village, Raby Castle is.one of the most impressive intact castles in the North of England, built in the 14th century by the powerful Neville family. Open Easter to September. There are guided tours of the castle plus walled gardens, deer park, coach house with carriages, tea room and ‘The Plotters’ Forest’ play area. The latest development - 'The Rising' - is just coming into being. Seasonal events. Admission charge and guests at Belle View cottage can have a 10% discount code.
Hannah's Meadow
16 miles / 30 minutes
Hannah Hauxwell farmed in Baldersdale, near the Blackton Reservoir and came to fame in a 1973 television documentary ‘Too Long a Winter’ about the harsh conditions facing dale farmers. Hannah was living a simple life without running water or electricity, farming single-handed. She passed away in 2018, aged 91.
Visit Hannah's Meadow in June to early July to see the traditional hay meadow wild flowers. The meadow is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest.