Stanhope: Discover market history and moorland landscapes

Stanhope lies in open moorland within the North Pennines National Landscape. The town’s character is shaped by several themes: market history, historic buildings, seasonal rail services and features of the landscape. If you are considering Stanhope as a destination for a stay, you can plan around the interests that matter most to you.

Market history and historic buildings

Stanhope’s market history dates from its charter in 1418 to its re-establishment in 1669. At that time, Bishop Langley granted a weekly Friday market and two annual fairs, on 6 May and 29 August. The market cross commemorates the re-establishment of the market in 1669 by Bishop John Cosin. It is the only market cross in County Durham that remains in its original location. The original charter and the later re-establishment are two separate historical milestones.

St Thomas the Apostle was built by the Normans on Saxon foundations. The church provides information from its burial registers for visitors researching their family history. At the western end of the town, historic Stanhope Old Hall lies near the start of the trackbed of the Stanhope & Tyne Railway. These connections lead to different aspects of the town’s history: the church’s construction, family history research and the former railway landscape.

Moorland landscapes, railway and ford

The Weardale Railway operates seasonal passenger trains on the 16-mile section between Stanhope and Bishop Auckland. Operating days may vary; check the timetable before planning a journey. Walkers can cross Stanhope Ford on large stepping stones. Whether it can be crossed depends on river conditions, which you should take into account when planning your crossing. The railway and the ford therefore offer different ways to include Stanhope in your travel plans: a seasonal train journey on the stated route or a crossing on foot.

Crafts and facilities at the Durham Dales Centre

The Durham Dales Centre has a courtyard with craft shops showcasing work by craftspeople from Weardale. The centre also has an information point, a café, toilets and long-stay parking. The shops and visitor facilities may change, so check the latest information before your visit. Local crafts and visitor information give the centre a different focus from Stanhope’s historic buildings.

Geological and landscape features

The famous Stanhope fossil tree is approximately 320 million years old. Its age gives the town a geological connection distinct from the history of its market and church. A row of lime trees in Stanhope is known as Lime Tree Walk. The two names refer to different natural features: the fossil tree represents a very distant geological past, while Lime Tree Walk refers to a row of lime trees in the town. Together with the open moorland within the North Pennines National Landscape, these provide several clearly distinct connections with nature.

Discover more destinations: Sacriston, Woodland, Middleton-In-Teesdale, Newton Aycliffe, Bishop Middleham, Seaham, Horden, Ebchester

For the main travel overview: Durham.