The Area
The boundaries of the area can best be described as follows:
- To the South and South West - A66 Scotch Corner to Penrith Road
- To the North - A6 and B6263 Penrith to Brampton
- To the North - A69 Brampton to Haltwhistle and Tyne Valley to Hexham
- To the East - "Eastings" Grid line NZ 407000 linking the Tyne valley to A66 near Greta Bridge, South of Barnard Castle
Within this vast square the valleys of the rivers Tees, South Tyne and Wear can be found together with the East and West Allen and the upper reaches of the Derwent. Whilst the area is predominantly in County Durham, the Panel covers considerable amounts of terrain in both Northumberland and Cumbria.
The Durham Dales are to the east of the area, Teesdale and Weardale being the two larger valleys and perhaps the most popular.
The Western escarpment of the High Pennines froms an almost continuous ridge of high ground, between 600-900 metres, with some dramatic scenery.
Maps:
- Four O.S. Outdoor Leisure 1:50000 Series cover the entire area: Sheets 86 & 87, Sheets 91 & 92.
- One O.S. Outdoor Leisure 1:25000 Series (Sheet 31- North Pennine - Teesdale and Weardale) covers the area most popularly visited by Award groups and is the best map for navigation whilst on the venture
The Network consists of a team of around thirty volunteer members who are delighted to offer their expertise, guidance and wealth of local knowledge to support all DofE groups visiting the area to undertake qualifying ventures in the Expedition Section. Advice is also available to those visiting for training/practice journey purposes.
All will receive a cordial welcome but please remember much of the area is wild as well as beautiful! Adequate preparation and training is essential if participants are to enjoy their experience.
For more detailed information on the area, notification procedures etc send an A4 stamped addressed envelope to the Field Secretary, who will then send you ain information folder.
We also offer an Open Gold week each Summer.
The area offers all who come to explore it, a 'challenging and physically demanding journey' but do not neglect your expedition purpose. The area is rich in geological, geographical, botanical and historical interest and no one should visit and leave without learning something about some or all of these subjects.
There are extensive areas where access is strictly limited to Public Rights of Way - frequently such paths are none existent on the ground and in no way does the use of map and compass become superfluous.
In Teesdale, extensive tracts of land are owned by, Lord Barnard and the Earl of Strathmore and much of the land is important for grouse shooting. During the Shooting season (post 12th August) and for general access information in these areas contact:
Lindsay Waddell - Chairman of Gamekeepers Association on the Raby Estates *Brenda Blake to confirm these details*
Further west in the 'High Pennine' area exists a military Firing Range administered from the Warcop Training Centre: Tel: 017683 41661, ext.3224/5.
All access, even on Rights of Way, is strictly prohibited during firing practice.
Red Flags are displayed at: Nr. Moss Shop 797273: Lunedale Road 825196: Hilton Gill 740210.
There are a number of Danger Posts on the periphery approximately from 805275 to 830280.
Further advice and information should be sought before planning routes.
Durham County Council provide a help-line, 0191 383 3452, which will put you in touch with the Durham County Footpaths Officers.
Moorhouse Nature Reserve covers some 35 square miles and is situated near the confluence of the Trout Beck and the River Tees at 757328. Access is strictly controlled with only two rights of way through this wilderness: The Pennine Way northwards from Dun Fell to Cross Fell and the Footpath from Trout Beck Foot (760338) connecting with the Pennine Way on Dun Fell Hush (717318)
All visitors should be aware that hill farming and grouse shooting are the main business of the Region and respect this fact at all times but particularly being aware of the lambing season and the shooting season.
Lead Mining was an important activity in the Northern Dales in its past history and all visitors are warned to stay clear of old mine workings.
Camping can be difficult in most parts of the Area. Certainly, wild and indiscriminate camping is not allowed in any part of the Region.
There are, however, a number of selected places where farmers etc have for many years given permission for DofE groups to camp overnight. Some of these are on the Pennine Way and in these cases the proprietors are well accustomed to campers turning up without booking. This practice would seem unnecessary for groups and it should always seem sensible to make prior arrangements.
The following list will provide sufficient overnight sites to enable a wide choice of Gold and Silver routes to be followed:
|
Location
|
Sheet /MR
|
Facilities
|
Contact
|
Telephone
|
|
Edmundbyer Y.H.
|
87 018500
|
ABC
|
Warden
|
01207 255 651
|
|
Nentsberry Horse & Wagon
|
87 764452
|
ABC
|
D Barraclough
|
01434 382 805
|
|
Garrigill -by river
|
87 739419
|
Wild
|
Water from river
|
|
|
Tow Law-Viewly Hill
|
92 101395
|
AB
|
Mrs Hodgson
|
01388 730 308
|
|
Westgate Caravan Site
|
91/92 903380
|
ABC
|
Mr Pears
|
01388 517 309
|
|
Burnhope Resevoir
|
91/92 846393
|
AB
|
Mr Patterson
|
01388 537 272
|
|
Bollihope Burn
|
91/92 003348
|
Wild
|
Mr Fawcett
|
01388 528 354
|
|
High Shipley
|
92 115332
|
ABC
|
Mrs Richardson
|
01388 764 620
|
|
Witton Castle
|
92 115304
|
ABC
|
Owner
|
01388 488 230
|
|
Friar Cote
|
92 088208
|
AB
|
Mr Robson
|
01833 660 267
|
|
Hetherwick Grange
|
92 058210
|
ABC
|
Mr Holmes
|
01833 631 170
|
|
Hilltop Bendholm
|
92 991246
|
ABC
|
K Nicholson
|
01833 650 457
|
|
Mickleton-Rose&Crown
|
91/92 967236
|
AB
|
Proprietor
|
01833 640 381
|
|
Cote House
|
91/92 951234
|
ABC
|
Mr Metcalfe
|
01833 640 515
|
|
Dale View Caravan Site
|
91/92 947248
|
ABC
|
Owner
|
01833 640 233
|
|
Wythes Hill Farm
|
91/92 922227
|
ABC
|
Mr Dent
|
01833 640 349
|
|
Holwick-LowWay Farm
|
91/92 915271
|
AB
|
Owner
|
01833 622 217
|