Stanhope (County Durham)
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Stanhope is a small market town in County Durham.
See
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North of England Lead Mining Museum
address: Cowshill DL13 1ARLowland 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.
Do
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phone: +44 1388 317767address: Fendrith Hill, Stanhope DL13 1PBEngland'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.
Sleep
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phone: +44 1388 529036address: Front Street DL13 2PFSplendid characterful hotel in 12th C manor house. Also does self-catering.
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, then to Barnard Castle with the Bowes Museum. Then either go south to Yorkshire or west to the Lake District.