Stanhope (County Durham)

Stanhope is a small market town in County Durham.

Understand

🌍 North of England Lead Mining Museum, Cowshill DL13 1AR (Follow A689 west). Daily 11:00-17:00. 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. (updated Jul 2018)

🌍 Weardale Ski Club, Fendrith Hill, Stanhope DL13 1PB (Follow A689 west towards Daddry Shield. Do not approach via B6277 Teesdale: if there's enough snow to ski on, the southside lane will be blocked.), ☎ +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. (updated Jul 2018)

🌍 Stanhope Old Hall, Front Street DL13 2PF (On A689), ☎ +44 1388 529036. Splendid characterful hotel in 12th C manor house. Also does self-catering. B&B doubles from £130. (updated Jul 2018)

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.

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