Industrial heritage
From medieval times, the North Pennines became one of Britain’s most important lead mining areas.
Mining was on a relatively small scale until the mid-18th century, but from this time until the early 20th century much of the area was dominated by lead mining and the landscape was transformed. Levels were driven miles underground to exploit the lead veins and the ground surface became stubbed with mine complexes, dressing floors and smelt mills. The hills were crisscrossed with leats providing water power to various sites, flues taking noxious gases away from the smelt mill to chimneys high up on the hills, and tracks and railways providing access to all the different sites. Aside from lead iron, coal and later fluorspar were also mined here. Elsewhere quarrymen extracted limestone, sandstone and whinstone from the ground.
After these industries went into decline in the late 19th and early 20th century these mines and quarries were closed, often leaving all their buildings and structures and equipment in situ. As a result the North Pennines has been left with a rich industrial heritage which is best appreciated at sites like Killhope Lead Mining Museum, Shildon Engine House and Ashes Quarry.
Allen Banks Geotrail
Allenheads - Family Trail Guide
![© ©](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_87.jpg?itok=j8-VUjsD)
Allenheads Geotrail
![Above Allenheads © NPAP Above Allenheads © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp020_0.jpg?itok=-pfccDSh)
Alston Packhorse Trail - Horse
![Riding the Alston Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley Riding the Alston Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_57.jpg?itok=FKAlDyES)
Alston Packhorse Trail - Mountain Biking
![Alston Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley Alston Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_58.jpg?itok=FaQnf7ww)
Alston Training and Adventure Centre
Ashes Quarry Geotrail
![Ashes Quarry above Stanhope in Weardale © NPAP/Neil Diment Ashes Quarry above Stanhope in Weardale © NPAP/Neil Diment](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp019.jpg?itok=ZDaKILBI)
Baldersdale Packhorse Trail - Horse
![Baldersdale Packhorse Trail © Natural England/Charlie Hedley Baldersdale Packhorse Trail © Natural England/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_66.jpg?itok=O6Nf9nf8)
Baldersdale Packhorse Trail - Mountain Biking
![Baldersdale Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley Baldersdale Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_65.jpg?itok=Pa75fZlr)
Blackton Reservoir: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 14
![Oystercatcher © NPAP Oystercatcher © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp015_0.jpg?itok=BI5KQ66e)
Blanchland Geotrail
![Blanchland © NPAP/Shane Harris Blanchland © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp021.jpg?itok=aLE7vyGV)
Blanchland Packhorse Trail - Horse
![Blanchland Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley Blanchland Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_64.jpg?itok=B8sPBNg6)
Blanchland Packhorse Trail - Mountain Biking
![Blanchland Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley Blanchland Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_63.jpg?itok=yhBLcCNK)
Bowlees Visitor Centre
![Bowlees Visitor Centre © NPAP Bowlees Visitor Centre © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_19.jpg?itok=Z9HzuFBE)
Burnhope Head: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 7
![Merlin © NPAP Merlin © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp008_0.jpg?itok=XXWTWfzF)
Canoes, Mountains and Caves
![Mine exploration in the North Pennines © Canoes, Mountains and Caves Mine exploration in the North Pennines © Canoes, Mountains and Caves](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_5.jpg?itok=1X31TLWn)
Cow Green Geological Trail
![Cauldron Snout on the River Tees © Natural England/Charlie Hedley Cauldron Snout on the River Tees © Natural England/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp051_0.jpg?itok=G9tP71fF)
Derwent Gorge: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 6
![Redstart © NPAP Redstart © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp007_0.jpg?itok=O3Be9fbn)
Derwent Reservoir and Pow Hill Country Park
![Couple walking at Pow Hill Country Park © NPAP Couple walking at Pow Hill Country Park © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp057_0.jpg?itok=mPPyL5s8)
Derwent Reservoir: North Pennine Birdwalks - Site 1
![Black headed gull © NPAP Black headed gull © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp016_0.jpg?itok=px8Gtxux)
Discovering the Lead Mining Heritage of the North Pennines
![© ©](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_89.jpg?itok=8SrJ_V0Z)
Dukesfield Arches & Devil's Water
![© ©](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_84.jpg?itok=DPLRXpUf)
Dukesfield Arches - Family Trail Guide
![© ©](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_86.jpg?itok=zpKqxEdn)
East Allen Valley Wildflower Walk
![Allenheads © © NPAP & Elizabeth Pickett Allenheads © © NPAP & Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_0.jpg?itok=hTwX5Wt8)
Eden Outdoor Adventures
![Gyhll scrambling © Eden Outdoor Adventures Gyhll scrambling © Eden Outdoor Adventures](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp136_0.jpg?itok=W-LRsp8o)
Epiacum Roman Fort
![Ramparts at Epiacum Roman Fort © Epiacum Heritage Ltd Ramparts at Epiacum Roman Fort © Epiacum Heritage Ltd](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_16.jpg?itok=Oqk2pts8)
Hamsterley Packhorse Trail - Horse
![Hamsterley Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley Hamsterley Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_62.jpg?itok=BycqRZgn)
Hamsterley Packhorse Trail - Mountain Biking
![Hamsterley Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley Hamsterley Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_61.jpg?itok=xGjHY5ko)
Hartside Packhorse Trail - Horse Riding
![Hartside Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley Hartside Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_59.jpg?itok=GlGQyEDI)
Hartside Packhorse Trail - Mountain Biking
![Hartside Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley Hartside Packhorse Trail © NPAP/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_60.jpg?itok=g3rrh--z)
In the footsteps of the Allen Valley lead miners
Isaacs Tea Trail
![© Roger Morris © Roger Morris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_2.jpg?itok=33ii50L1)
Killhope Lead Mining Museum
![Washing Floor at Killhope © Killhope Museum Washing Floor at Killhope © Killhope Museum](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_24.jpg?itok=LWcNihY0)
Knock Geological Trail
![Great Dun Fell © NPAP/Shane Harris Great Dun Fell © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp048_0.jpg?itok=O7lss1Gr)
Lambley and the South Tyne: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 1
![Curlew © NPAP Curlew © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp003_0.jpg?itok=7dxyoqjw)
Lost industrial Blaydon
![© ©](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_85.jpg?itok=0N7AuOX8)
Nenthead Mines
![Nenthead Mines © Nenthead Mines ©](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_4.jpg?itok=atAVlc-S)
Newbiggin and the Carriers’ Way
![Walkers on the heather moors © NPAP/Shane Harris Walkers on the heather moors © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp054.jpg?itok=oyqwjqj-)
Ninebanks Tower
![Ninebanks Tower © Natural England/Charlie Headley Ninebanks Tower © Natural England/Charlie Headley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp098_0.jpg?itok=nBE4CNVI)
Open access walks in Cumbria: Cold Fell
![Walkers on Gairs track © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett Walkers on Gairs track © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp089.jpg?itok=KJUQaIQN)
Open access walks in Cumbria: Geltsdale
![Binney Bank wood below Tarnmonath Fell © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Binney Bank wood below Tarnmonath Fell © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp090.jpg?itok=v1hop-oi)
Open access walks in Cumbria: North Pennine Ridge (Southern Section)
![View of Pikes from Knock Fell © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett View of Pikes from Knock Fell © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp094.jpg?itok=tTbfXxkM)
Open access walks in Cumbria: Talkin Fell
![View down the River Gelt Valley © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy View down the River Gelt Valley © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp091.jpg?itok=U47gMLD3)
Open access walks in Cumbria: Thack Moor and Black Fell
![Cottage near Hartside summit © NPAP/Simon Wilson Cottage near Hartside summit © NPAP/Simon Wilson](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp093_0.jpg?itok=SweW-1ZS)
Pinpoint Adventure
![Mine exploration in the North Pennines © Pinpoint Adventure Mine exploration in the North Pennines © Pinpoint Adventure](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_6.jpg?itok=G953dKS8)
Rookhope: Fields and Fells
![Rookhope © NPAP/Shane Harris Rookhope © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp062.jpg?itok=m3oW1-ZJ)
RSPB Geltsdale Walking Trails
![Stagsike Cottage at RSPB Geltsdale © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Stagsike Cottage at RSPB Geltsdale © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp104.jpg?itok=8nBIeZZn)
Slitt Wood and West Rigg Geotrail
![Slitt Wood waterfall © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett Slitt Wood waterfall © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp022.jpg?itok=wP5ldXI9)
St John's Chapel: Farming, Mining and Methodism
![Coronation Bridge in Ireshopeburn, Weardale © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Coronation Bridge in Ireshopeburn, Weardale © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp063.jpg?itok=VDKJ9TGK)
Taste Trails: Allendale to Whitfield Circular
![Allendale Bakery © NPAP/Shane Harris Allendale Bakery © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp124.jpg?itok=ewe2wHkb)
The Chimneys and Dryburn Moor (Allen Valleys): North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 4
![Golden plover © NPAP Golden plover © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp005.jpg?itok=LAVl2N1l)
The Harehope Quarry Project
![A view of Harehope Quarry © Tom Mercer A view of Harehope Quarry © Tom Mercer](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp110.jpg?itok=20Ha76xn)
The Lead Road Cycle Route
![© ©](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_88.jpg?itok=kxlu9lOI)
The National Trust - Allen Banks and Staward Gorge woodland walk
![Bluebells at Allen Banks © NPAP/Shane Harris Bluebells at Allen Banks © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp071_0.jpg?itok=czxoVU0w)
Tynehead Geological Trail
![Crinoid fossils © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett Crinoid fossils © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp049.jpg?itok=iv6mdIXB)
Up on the ridge: Moor House-Upper Teesdale NNR
![Knock Pike and the Eden Valley © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Knock Pike and the Eden Valley © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp078.jpg?itok=hD6rLsTR)
Walking around Wolsingham
![Hay meadow in Wolsingham © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett Hay meadow in Wolsingham © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp066.jpg?itok=X2WXd93q)
Weardale Adventure Centre
![Climbing with the Weardale Adventure Centre team © Weardale Adventure Centre Climbing with the Weardale Adventure Centre team © Weardale Adventure Centre](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_9.jpg?itok=T67DhAFx)
Weardale Railway
![Steam train, Stanhope Station, Weardale Railway © Steam train, Stanhope Station, Weardale Railway ©](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp128_0.jpg?itok=cun9neB9)
Weardale Way - Stanhope to White Kirkley
![Footbridge over the Bollihope Burn © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Footbridge over the Bollihope Burn © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp082.jpg?itok=RUXR0EEh)
Weardale Way - White Kirkley to Wolsingham
![View over Harehope Quarry © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy View over Harehope Quarry © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp083.jpg?itok=nVRDEkEi)
Wellhope Moor (Nent Valley): North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 9
![Grey partridge © NPAP Grey partridge © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp010_0.jpg?itok=WnggNTDn)
Whitesyke and Bentyfield Mine
![Whitsyke and Bentyfield mine © NPAP/Beck Baker Whitsyke and Bentyfield mine © NPAP/Beck Baker](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp101.jpg?itok=DneOXfpC)