Arts and craft

The landscapes of the North Pennines have a rich association with artists and writers past and present like J.M.W. Turner and W.H. Auden. There is now a wealth of artists  and craft workers producing paintings, photographic prints pottery, textiles, candles, wood and metal work in and around the AONB.

The best way to experience these artworks is by visiting one of the galleries dotted around the area such as the Allendale Forge Studios in Allendale Town and Alston Artspace in Alston both of which showcase local art. There is also a network of excellent craft shops throughout the AONB where you purchase a memento or gift or pick up craft supplies.


Bowlees Visitor Centre

Bowlees Visitor Centre    © NPAP
Bowlees Visitor Centre, run by the North Pennines AONB Partnership, is a fantastic base for exploring Upper Teesdale, with footpath links to Low Force, High Force, Newbiggin and the Pennine Way. The Centre provides information and displays on the geology and landscape, wildlife and people of Upper Teesdale and the wider North Pennines. You'll find a delicious range of food and drinks and our shop stocks nature inspired gifts and books. You'll find a range of special events are running at the Centre throughout the year. You can also hire the venue for family get-togethers, parties and meetings. We have a range of outdoor cooking facilities which can be pre-booked. The Centre is dog-friendly and you'll find free Wi-Fi access, an iGlass (24-hour information touch screen) and an electric car-charging point. Follow the Richard Watson Trail from the Centre - a 2¾-mile circular route exploring the life and times of Richard Watson, Victorian lead miner and poet. The most popular walk is probably the High Force-Low Force Round. The Centre is also an official Dark Sky Discovery Site.
Location:
Newbiggin, Bowlees, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Co. Durham, DL12 0XE (grid ref - NY906281). 01833 622145.
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Facilities nearby

Coatenhill Canoes

Coatenhill Canoes © Coatenhill Canoes
Canoe Building Courses Coatenhill Canoes run courses in the Allen Valleys where participants can construct an open timber canoe from scratch. All materials are provided for the courses. After four days building you can take away your canoe ready to paddle!
Location:
Sinderhope and Ninebanks Youth Hostel
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Errington Reay Pottery

Elegant handmade pots © Errington Reay Ltd
Errington Reay is the last commercial pottery in Britain producing salt glaze garden pots. We still only practice traditional ways of hand throwing which together with specialised salt glazing give Errington Reay pottery it’s truly unique textured finish. Visitors are made welcome at the pottery where they can view the large selection of garden pots. Ample parking is available and a good range of quality seconds can be purchased from the shop.
Location:
Errington Reay - Outstanding Handmade Pottery, Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 7HU.
Facilities nearby
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Fleece with Altitude

Fleece with Altitude © Gabriel Langley
Ellie keeps a small, varied flock of sheep, purely for their wool, at her smallholding high in Upper Weardale - hence the name 'Fleece with Altitude'. The smallholding is a former lead miner's smallholding. It is off-grid and powered entirely by renewable forms of energy - wind, sun and wood. All animals on the smallholding are loved and pampered and live out their natural lives in the haymeadow and pasture. Ellie has a workshop on the smallholding from where she makes felt and teaches workshops. In addition she has a beautiful attic studio in a 350 year old former manse house, The Hearth in Northumberland, from where she sells her work and also teaches workshops. Visitors to Ellie's workshop and studio are welcome.
Location:
Ellie is based at Slackhouse Farm in Upper Weradale. She also has a studio at the Hearth Arts Centre and Cafe in Horsley (NE15 0NT).
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Facilities nearby
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Killhope Lead Mining Museum

Washing Floor at Killhope © Killhope Museum
A visit to Killhope, the award winning North of England Lead Mining Museum, is a unique and unforgettable experience. Killhope is a fully restored nineteenth century Victorian lead mine, where you can experience for yourself the life and work of the lead mining families of the Pennine dales. Our enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff are here to help you get the most from your visit; they are what make Killhope a multi award wining venue. Killhope is famous for its huge working waterwheel, but there is much more to Killhope. You can experience the mineshop where miners lived. You can work as a 'washerboy' looking for minerals and galena (which is the lead ore). You can see the working machinery (which Fred Dibnah admired so much) in the 'jigger house'. But above all, Killhope's award-winning mine tour is unique. From the moment you put on your hard hats, cap-lamps and wellingtons, your visit becomes an unforgettable adventure! Killhope holds the largest collection of Spar Boxes which sits alongside Magnificent Minerals and the Pennine Jewels. Two permanent commissions, Letters of Lead and Language of Lead, part of museumaker, a prestigious national project. We also have an array of art works and installations which adorn our visitor centre and site. You can stroll round Killhope's woodland paths (maybe with a nature backpack). You will see some wildlife and red squirrels. Take a break in Killhope Cafe and sample our wonderful home made soups, pasties and cakes. Our gift shop stocks a wide range of books, maps, keepsakes and souvenirs. Killhope - a great day out in the country for all the family!
Location:
Near Cowshill, Upper Weardale, Co. Durham, DL13 1AR.
Terrain:
Steep sections
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The Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum © The Bowes Museum/Mike Kipling
This magnificent museum has undergone a major transformation, creating a stunning 21st century visitor attraction in beautiful grounds. It contains a wonderful collection of fine and decorative arts housed in an array of stunning new galleries. The silver swan automaton is a must see! Exhibitions, guided tours, family activities, fine dining and shopping add up to a wonderful day out.
Location:
Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 8NP.
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Facilities nearby
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The Durham Dales Centre

Durham Dales Centre  © NPAP/Emily Ball
The Durham Dales Centre is a visitor centre in Weardale with a tearoom specialising in home baking and with a well stocked information centre and gift shop. Other shops are set within a courtyard offering a wide range of cards, chocolate, gifts and crafts. On site facilities include the Durham Dales garden, with interpretation panels throughout the grounds. Coaches welcome.
Location:
Castle Gardens, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham, DL13 2FJ.
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Watercolour Painting with Gordon Lamb

Gordon Lamb painting © Jean Lamb
Gordon Lamb is a professional artist with a distinctive style, who specialises in painting with watercolours. Keep your eye on his website for information about upcoming classes. If you are visiting the area or if you simply want to have a one-off taster, a single session with Gordon can be tailored for beginners or the more advanced. Gordon also runs workshops for art groups, retreat groups or business groups seeking a creative professional development session at your chosen location.
Location:
Various
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Wild North Discovery

Wild North Discovery © Wild North Discovery
Activities centred on discovery and exploration of the natural world. We offer bushcraft and survival skills (30 years experience and qualified to teach bushcrafts to groups through the Institute for Outdoor Learning), wild food foraging (as seen on TV with Robson Green), bird watching tours, wildlife & nature exploration activities including animal tracking, pond dipping and minibeast hunts for families, and greenwood crafts including pole lathe and willow basket weaving. Activities can be booked for a half or full day for two or more people either adult or family groups. Weekend and full week activities are also available.
Location:
Harehope Quarry Project - near Frosterley in Weardale. Activities are available at other sites in Weardale and Teesdale - see website for details
Terrain:
Boggy ground, Off road sections, Steep sections
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