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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Pictures of Stanhope

in the county of County Durham

About Stanhope

This is a lovely, bustling little town is set amidst the charm of Weardale, it is almost entirely built of stone particularly around the old Market Square, dominated by a fine stone cross.

The region is largely rural, with the landscape a patchwork of fields interspersed by a smattering of old farmsteads. In the 19th century the town flourished from the explosion of lead-mining, but significantly it never lost its farming roots, however there still remains scattered reminders of the regions mining days.

Of great interest to the visitor is the parish church dedicated to St. Thomas, here, in the churchyard you can see a 250 million year old fossilized tree.

The hills above Stanhope are worthy of a visit, their beauty is renowned and it was here in 1856 a fascinating archaeological find was made at Heathery Burn Cave. Archaeologists uncovered the 3000 year old belongings of the kind that could only have belonged to a wealthy Bronze Age family. These are now on display in the British Museum. Centuries ago, these same hills formed part of a hunting ground roamed by Wild Boar, Wolves and Deer, it was mostly the province of the church, controlled by the Prince Bishop's of Durham.

There are many wonderful places around Stanhope to explore, help with planning your visit is on hand at the Durham Dales Centre based in Stanhope. The purpose built centre, lying at the heart of Durham Dales Garden offers information, has a tea room, and a crafts centre stocked with locally made goods

Stanhope is a superb centre for walkers, paths lead off taking you to remote isolated upland moors which sometimes rise to over 2,000 feet. Often all you will pass are the hardy sheep grazing the land. For the energetic there are cycle paths, and if its just a quiet stroll you want, there is plenty to see along the banks of the River Wear with its interesting river life and lovely picnic spots.

Fishing is available in the area and Stanhope has an excellent outdoor heated swimming pool situated in lovely Castle Park.

Visitors wishing to stay so as to see more of this stunning region will find pleasant hotels, inns and private homes offering friendly bed and breakfast, shops, cafe's and museums recalling the history and heritage of area.

Recommended towns & villages near Stanhope

Wolsingham

Wolsingham (18 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of County Durham

(5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction E of Stanhope)

This is a lovely village lying on the edge of the North Pennines in an area of great scenic beauty. It is a wild and beautiful landscape dotted only by scattered farms with meadows full of grazing sheep and cattle...

Blanchland, Northumberland - November 2004

Blanchland (38 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Northumberland

(6.9 miles, 11.2 km, direction N of Stanhope)

Blanchland is a small picturesque village nestled beside the river in the Derwent Valley within the North Pennines Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is surrounded by.....

Low Force, Forest- in-Teesdale, County Durham

Forest-in-Teesdale (30 Pictures) in the county of County Durham

(9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction SW of Stanhope)

It's landscape, possessed of a wild untamed beauty, highlighted by the meandering River Tees, has a few ancient farmhouses and old stone cottages...

Escomb Saxon Church

Escomb (7 Pictures) in the county of County Durham

(13.3 miles, 21.5 km, direction SE of Stanhope)

Lying in a prominent position ringed by the River Wear, Escomb is best known for its magnificent Saxon Church reputed to be built from stones brought from the near-by ruined Roman Fort at Binchester...

Mining Remains, Nenthead, Cumbria

Nenthead (14 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Cumbria

(13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction W of Stanhope)

Nestling beside the sparkling River Nent, Nenthead lies on Alston Moor, in a lonely remote North Pennine Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, between the pleasant market town of Alston and the Killhope lead mining museum...

All towns & villages in County Durham
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Nearby attractions..

Frosterly in Weardale, County Durham

Weardale (20 Pictures)

(5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction W)

This lovely scenic valley lies between the town of Bishop Auckland, seat of princes of the church and the charming market town of.....

Blanchland Abbey, Northumberland

Blanchland Abbey (1 Pictures)

(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction N)

Blanchland Abbey was founded as a priory in 1165 by Walter de Bolbec II, and became an abbey in the late 13th century. The.....

Double rainbow

Hamsterley Forest (12 Pictures)

(7.4 miles, 12.0 km, direction SE)

Hampsterley Forest encompasses over five thousand acres, it is a combination of parkland and forest, giving access to some of the.....

High Force, Englands highest waterfall. On the River Tees, Upper Teesdale, Co.Durham.

High Force (56 Pictures)

(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction SW)

This is the Tees most spectacular offering, it is also England's highest waterfall. The best time to see High Force is just.....

Killhope Lead Mining Museum high in Upper Weardale. A desolate but magical place.

Killhope Lead Mining Museum (7 Pictures)

(10.8 miles, 17.5 km, direction W)

Killhope Lead Mining Museum keeps alive the counties lead mining traditions. This is a fully restored site of a working mine.....

The magnificent Raby Castle, Staindrop, Co. Durham.

Raby Castle (31 Pictures)

(13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction SE)

Arriving close to Staindrop from almost any direction the view of Raby Castle, built by the powerful Nevill family in the.....

A view of the Castle at Barnard Castle, County Durham

Barnard Castle (26 Pictures)

(14.7 miles, 23.7 km, direction S)

This historic town is a picturesque centre for discovering the delights of Teesdale. The town occupies a clifftop site above.....


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