Discover Middleton-In-Teesdale

Middleton-In-Teesdale offers walking opportunities and insights into mining, railway and regional architectural history. For planning your trip, this means you can combine active days with walks of varying lengths as well as cultural discoveries in the village and Upper Teesdale. Middleton-in-Teesdale is officially recognised as a “Walkers are Welcome” destination; hundreds of miles of walking and cycling routes are available in the surrounding area.

Walking routes for short and long days

A good place to start is “A Walk Through Time”. The offering includes a village walk through Middleton-in-Teesdale, the Bowlees Holwick circular route, the Tees Railway Path, the King’s Walk and the Leekworth circular route. The walks are intended to help visitors understand the heritage, environment and culture of Upper Teesdale while walking. This allows you to experience the landscape not only as a backdrop, but also through its history and use.

For a clearly structured route, the former railway line from Cotherstone to Middleton-in-Teesdale is a good option. It consists of three easy sections and is fenced. The Tees Railway Path is located in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Historically, the railway line from Barnard Castle to Middleton-in-Teesdale is a reminder that the connection opened in 1868 and ran via Cotherstone, Romaldkirk and Mickleton.

The Hudeshope Valley also offers various options: the Hudeshope from Middleton Geotrail is an eight-kilometre circular route from Middleton-in-Teesdale into the valley, exploring its geological and mining heritage. Another route runs for six miles from Middleton-in-Teesdale into the Hudeshope Valley in the North Pennines National Landscape. The Pennine Way includes a 21-mile section from Middleton-in-Teesdale to Dufton. The Teesdale Challenge Walks range from easy, family-oriented walks to hikes up to 19 miles long.

For a shorter outing, Bridge Street leads downhill across the River Tees over the old County Bridge from the early 19th century. There is also an easily accessible viewpoint near Middleton-in-Teesdale with far-reaching views across Teesdale. When planning your day, take the stated route length into account and choose between a short village walk, a historic route and a longer tour.

Cultural and mining history

The Kirkcarrion Gallery is a community gallery space in Middleton-in-Teesdale. Local artists are given space there to exhibit and sell their work. The Church of St Mary was built in 1878 by C. Hodgson Fowler on the site of a medieval church. Its organ loft contains a reused medieval two-light window; the north wall also incorporates 14 grave slabs with incised decoration as well as fragments of chevron mouldings.

Middleton House was built in 1815 as the northern headquarters of the London Lead Company and as the residence of its Chief Agent. In the same year, Middleton-in-Teesdale developed into an industrial boomtown under the London Lead Company and became its northern headquarters. The cast-iron fountain in the centre commemorates the London Lead Company and the benefits it brought.

Other historical points of interest include: Stotley Hall is a Grade II* listed house dating from around 1600. Hude Bridge is a listed bridge that probably dates from the 18th century and was altered in the 19th and 20th centuries. Kirkcarrion lies just outside Middleton-in-Teesdale on the Pennine Way and is a Bronze Age round barrow.

The right accommodation for planning your trip

If you choose routes that start in Middleton-in-Teesdale, you can consider the location within the village as a criterion when searching for a holiday cottage or holiday home. For longer activities such as the section of the Pennine Way or one of the Challenge Walks of up to 19 miles, it is worth including the planned route length in your daily itinerary. Those who prefer to combine different interests will find walking routes, a gallery visit and historic buildings in the same destination, offering different reasons for choosing the trip.

More travel ideas

For further destinations, you can also take a look at Stanley, Bishop Middleham, Newton Aycliffe, Peterlee, Haswell, Shincliffe, Burnhope and Pelton.

For the overview of the wider area: Durham.