Stanhope (County Durham)
Stanhope is a small market town of 1,600 people (2019) in County Durham. It lies on the River Wear between Eastgate and Frosterley, in the north-east of Weardale. Stanhope is surrounded by moorland in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Understand[edit]
Stanhope parish is the largest parish area in England, at 85 square miles (221 km²).
Get in[edit]
The main A689 road over the Pennines is crossed by the B6278 between Barnard Castle and Shotley Bridge.
Get around[edit]
See[edit]
- 1 North of England Lead Mining Museum, Cowshill DL13 1AR (Follow A689 west). Daily 11AM-5PM. Lowland Durham has the coal, but the hills have lead, in the form of "galena" or "glance": lead sulphide crystals deposited in veins through the rock. Though now we shun it as toxic, earlier times depended upon it for plumbing, weights, bullets & shot, solder and pewter. Raw galena was also used as a cosmetic and a pottery glaze. The museum at Killhope recreates Park Level Mine, active here 1853-1910. Adult £9, conc £6.
- A petrified tree stump standing in the churchyard was found with two others, one of which features in the Great North Museum in Newcastle upon Tyne.
- The Durham Dales Centre incorporates a tea room, tourist information and craft shops.
- Stanhope Bridge, a scheduled monument, was built in the 15th century and widened in 1792.
- The ford has a stepping-stone bridge for pedestrians.
- The 18th-century Stanhope Castle in the town centre stands on the possible site of a medieval castle. It was built in 1798 by Cuthbert Rippon, MP for Gateshead. It has been converted into apartments.
Do[edit]
- 1 Weardale Ski Club, Fendrith Hill, Stanhope DL13 1PB, ☏ +44 1388 317767. England's highest ski centre, reaching a dizzy 655 m, with runs down to 488 m, ie at best a 168 m run. Yes, this is how we skied in Edwardian times, before we discovered Europe. The season is short and conditions are highly variable - but for example in icy 2018, skiing extended into late March. Uplift is two Doppelmayer button-tows. They don't have kit hire or lessons. Day ticket £20, season pass £48.
- 2 Weardale Railway. Stanhope is the terminus of this heritage line operating mainly at weekends in the summer from Bishop Auckland, with stations at Frosterley, Wolsingham and Witton-le-Wear. Adult single £5.50-9.00, child 50% off.
- Truckfest North East celebrates heavy haulage and monster trucks, at Wolsingham Showground in June.
- Stanhope Agricultural Show is held on the second weekend of September each year. It has been held annually since 1834.
Buy[edit]
Eat[edit]
Drink[edit]
Sleep[edit]
- 1 [dead link] Stanhope Old Hall, Front Street DL13 2PF (On A689), ☏ +44 1388 529036. Splendid characterful hotel in 12th-century manor house. Also does self-catering. B&B doubles from £130.
- 2 Westgate Manor, Westgate DL13 1JT, ☏ +44 1388 517371. Swish, small country hotel in Victorian manor house. No dogs. B&B double £130.
Connect[edit]
As of Jan 2024, Stanhope and A689 from the east have 4G from all UK carriers, but with variable coverage on other roads. 5G has not reached this area.
Go next[edit]
- Loop over the moors north via Alston to explore Hadrian's Wall.
- Head east down the valley to Durham; for big city attractions, turn north to Newcastle.
- Cross the moors south to Middleton-in-Teesdale, with a stop at High Force, then to Barnard Castle with the Bowes Museum. Then either go south to Yorkshire or west to the Lake District.