Stanhope (County Durham)

Stanhope is a market town in County Durham, with a population just under 1600 in 2021. It's in the valley of the River Wear, surrounded by the North Pennine moors, which are designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Get in

Stanhope is on A689 into the Pennines: from the south follow A1 past Scotch Corner to join A68, turning onto A698 at Fir Tree. This road continues west up the valley from Stanhope to cross into Alston in Cumbria: this section can be difficult in winter but seldom closes.

A scenic alternative is via B6278 from Barnard Castle, which continues north towards Shotley Bridge.

Weardale Bus 101 runs hourly from Bishop Auckland, which has hourly trains from Middlesbrough and Darlington. The bus takes an hour via Howden-le-Wear, Crook and Wolsingham. M-Sa four buses continue west to Ireshopeburn and Killhope.

1 The Crossroads of A689 and B6278 is the main bus stop, but buses make several stops through the village.

Get around

The village is walkable but you need wheels to properly explore the area.

Peter's Private Hire is the local taxi firm, tel +44 1388 527812.

See

• 1 Stanhope Castle is a mansion built in 1798 by Cuthbert Rippon, MP for Gateshead, over the site of a medieval castle. No visits, as it's been converted into private apartments, though these are available for short breaks.
• St Thomas Church opposite the castle is Anglican. It's Norman over Saxon foundations; its rector was traditionally Bishop of Durham, who shared the profits of the lead mines. The tree stump in the graveyard is the fossil of a giant Sigillaria club moss that flourished 320 million years ago in a tropical swamp. It was found in a nearby quarry in 1915 but relocated here in the 1960s, while similar stumps from the quarry were moved to museums.
• Durham Dales Centre incorporates a tea room, tourist information and craft shops.
• Stepping stones flank a ford across the river on the original line of B6278 into the village. They're modern breeze-block, easily negotiated if not submerged. The ford is paved but closed to vehicles.
• 2 Stanhope Bridge carries B6278 across the River Weir. A single stone arch, it was built in the 15th century and widened in 1792.
• 3 Pine Woods are a pleasant area to stroll at Low Bollihope 2 miles south of town.
• 4 Weardale Museum, Ireshopeburn DL13 1HD, ☏ + 7990 786220. Small volunteer-run museum of valley life, especially the miners, and they also preserve High House Methodist Chapel next door. (updated Jul 2024)
• 5 Killhope Lead Mining Museum, Cowshill DL13 1AR. Closed. 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 lead for plumbing, weights, bullets and 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, but it's closed for refurbishment. (updated Jul 2024)

Do

Killhope Lead Mine

• Stanhope Swimming Pool is outdoors, heated. It remains closed in 2024.
• 1 Weardale Railway. Stanhope is the east terminus of this heritage line operating mainly at weekends in the summer. The route is 16 miles of standard-gauge from Bishop Auckland via Witton-le-Wear, Wolsingham and Frosterley. Trains are 1960s-80s diesels; their steam locomotive is being rebuilt. Day ticket from Bishop Auckland adult £16, child £8. (updated Jul 2024)
• 2 Weardale Ski Club, Fendrith Hill DL13 1PB (A689 to Daddry Shield then lane south), ☏ +44 1388 317767. England's highest ski centre, reaching a dizzy 655 m with runs down to 488 m, so at best a 168 m run. The season is short and conditions are highly variable, but for example in icy 2018, skiing extended into late March. If you got here by the lane off B6277 near Middleton you wasted your time, since if that lane is not blocked by snow then Weardale lacks snow cover. Uplift is two Doppelmayer button-tows. They don't have kit hire or lessons. Day ticket £20, season pass £48. (updated Jul 2024)
• C2C is a long-distance cycle route, 137 miles from Whitehaven to Sunderland. Stanhope is usually the last overnight stop after cresting the ridge from Cumbria, then the last day is fairly level through Consett to the east coast.
• Truckfest North East celebrates heavy haulage and monster trucks at Wolsingham Showground. The next is probably 7-8 June 2025, tbc.
• Stanhope Weekender is a music festival held on Unthank Park south of the river, with a pop-up campsite. The next is 4-5 July 2025.
• Wolsingham Show is an agricultural fair held on the second weekend of September, with the next on 7-8 Sep 2024.

Buy

On Stanhope Common

• Co-op Food is at 33 Front St, open daily 7:30AM-10 PM.

Eat

• There is no sit-down eating place as of 2024. Pack Horse Inn might let you bring in food if you buy their beer. Takeaway are Freddie's Fish & Chips, Pizza Barn and Star of India.

Drink

• Pack Horse Inn is on the market place.
• The Grey Bull at the crossroads is open daily noon-11PM.

Sleep

• 1 Stanhope Old Hall, Front Street, Stanhope DL13 2PF, ☏ +44 7956 778739. Splendid characterful B&B within a 12th-century manor house. B&B double £130. (updated Jul 2024)
• 2 Westgate Manor, Westgate DL13 1JT, ☏ +44 1388 517371. Swish, welcoming country hotel in a Victorian manor. No dogs. B&B double £200. (updated Jul 2024)
• 3 Belle Vue Farm, Hall Rd, Stanhope DL13 2EZ, ☏ +44 1388 526225. Open March-Oct, this has four pitches for touring caravans or campervans. No tents, children, dogs, visitors, credit cards, etc etc. Hook-up £31. (updated Jul 2024)
• Other caravan parks in Stanhope only have privately-owned or leased static units, no facilities for tourers or camping. The three parks are called Stanhope, Stanhope Burn and Greenfoot.

Heather View is similar but has availability for short breaks.

Connect

As of July 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

• 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 waterfall, then to Barnard Castle with the Bowes Museum.