A row of lime trees, known as Lime Tree Walk, gives Stanhope a distinctive local feature. It is set within a broader landscape: the town lies amid open moorland in the North Pennines National Landscape. Two different scales come together here—a named local landmark and the open landscape in which Stanhope is situated. When planning your stay, you can decide whether to focus mainly on the town’s history, the landscape or both.
Market history in two dates
The market’s history can be traced through two dates. In 1418, Bishop Langley granted a weekly Friday market and two annual fairs, on 6 May and 29 August. The Market Cross commemorates the market’s re-establishment in 1669 by Bishop John Cosin. The dates mark different historical milestones: the market’s origins and its later re-establishment.
The Market Cross itself is also noteworthy: it is the only market cross in County Durham still standing in its original location. Alongside the recorded market dates, Stanhope therefore offers a tangible monument that reflects the town’s market history.
Church and family history
St Thomas the Apostle was built by the Normans on Saxon foundations. Its construction history thus brings two historical periods together in one building. For visitors interested in traces of their own family history, the church is a useful place to start: it provides information from burial registers to visitors researching their family history.
Fossil tree and Old Hall
Stanhope’s famous fossil tree is approximately 320 million years old. Its approximate age offers a very different perspective on the town’s past from the market records or the church: here, the focus is on a geological timescale reaching far back into the past.
Stanhope Old Hall is another historic feature. The hall stands at the western end of the town, near the start of the trackbed of the Stanhope & Tyne Railway. Its location and proximity to the trackbed offer a distinct connection to the area’s railway history; however, this does not imply that the hall is open to visitors.
Railway, ford and visitor information
The Weardale Railway operates seasonal passenger trains on the 16-mile section between Stanhope and Bishop Auckland. Its seasonal service provides a railway option to consider when planning your trip, but service information may vary. If you are considering travelling by train, check the dates for your travel period.
Walkers can cross Stanhope Ford using large stepping stones. River conditions may affect whether it can be crossed, so it is advisable to check the situation before setting out. The railway and the ford offer different ways to factor Stanhope into your travel plans: for the railway, the season matters; for the ford, it is the current river conditions.
Stanhope’s Durham Dales Centre includes a courtyard with craft shops showcasing work by Weardale craftspeople. It also has an information point, a café, toilets and long-stay parking. As the shops and visitor facilities may change over time, check what will be available on the date of your visit.
Discover more destinations: Bowburn, Shincliffe, Horden, Barnard Castle, Durham, Bishop Middleham, Staindrop, West Rainton.
Go to the main travel overview: Durham.
