Stotfield Pasture

Downs, Moorland in Durham

England

Stotfield Pasture

Narrow walled enclosure beside Boltslaw Incline The enclosure surely has no current use. The slope beyond it descends to the fields and village of Rookhope. The flattish area above the break of slope rises gradually to the summit area of Bolt&#039;s Law. Boltslaw Incline is just out of view to the right of the image. — Narrow walled enclosure beside Boltslaw Incline Credit: Trevor Littlewood

Stotfield Pasture, located in Durham, England, is a sprawling expanse of downs and moorland that offers visitors a truly picturesque and serene natural environment. Spread across a vast area, the pasture is characterized by its undulating hills, open grasslands, and diverse flora and fauna.

The downs of Stotfield Pasture are covered in lush green grass, creating a beautiful carpet-like landscape. These rolling hills provide visitors with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The area is also home to several rare plant species, adding to its ecological significance.

Adjacent to the downs, the moorland of Stotfield Pasture can be found. This part of the pasture features heather-covered hills and peat bogs, creating a unique and distinctive terrain. The moorland is a haven for wildlife, hosting a variety of bird species, including curlews and lapwings, as well as small mammals like rabbits and voles.

Stotfield Pasture offers a range of recreational activities for visitors to enjoy. Walkers and hikers can explore the numerous trails that crisscross the pasture, immersing themselves in the tranquility of the surrounding nature. The open grasslands also provide ample space for picnicking, birdwatching, and simply enjoying the peacefulness of the surroundings.

Overall, Stotfield Pasture in Durham is a natural gem that showcases the beauty of downs and moorland landscapes. Its diverse flora and fauna, coupled with its picturesque views, make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and those seeking tranquility in a stunning natural setting.

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Stotfield Pasture Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.777984/-2.0864847 or Grid Reference NY9442. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Narrow walled enclosure beside Boltslaw Incline

The enclosure surely has no current use. The slope beyond it descends to the fields and village of Rookhope. The flattish area above the break of slope rises gradually to the summit area of Bolt's Law. Boltslaw Incline is just out of view to the right of the image.

Trevor Littlewood

Slope descending from Long Hill

The view is from a cairn, west from the high point of the moorland summit, Long Hill. Beyond, the sunlit ground is on the far side of Rook Hope and most distant are Fendrith Hill and Chapel Fell, seen across both Rook Hope and Weardale.

Trevor Littlewood

High Brandon

High Brandon has the appearance of being a terrace of several homes but according to an offer for sale in 2011 (at £450 000), it's a single house with an attached cottage. It sits high on the eastern slope of the valley of Rook Hope and is described as a "Traditional dales long house".

Trevor Littlewood

Road descending down to the Rookhope valley at Redburn

Clive Nicholson

The now closed and derelict Church of St John at Rookhope

Viewed from the south-west. A notice within the porch of the church indicates how the contents were dispersed upon closure in 2014. One can hope that it will find a new use as a dwelling.

Peter Wood

Road between Rookhope and Eastgate

Clive Nicholson

Horses grazing in a buttercup meadow south of Rookhope

Mike Quinn

Hill road and Boltslaw Incline

The incline descends from the notch on the skyline heading down to Rookhope. The road leaves the incline and makes its way across a ridge, (to the right, out of the image), descending into the valley of the Stanhope Burn.

Trevor Littlewood

Eastern slope of Long Law

The slope is descending into the drainage regime of the Stanhope Burn. The flat-topped moorland on the central skyline is Horseshoe Hill.

Trevor Littlewood

Shooting hut on Stanhope Common (3)

The shooting hut, (shooting box as described on OS maps), with the moorlands surrounding Smiddy Burn and Stanhope Burn beyond.

Trevor Littlewood

Moorland lit by low-angled sunshine

The foreground moorland looks almost to have been burnt - much heather moorland is as part of management for grouse shooting - but this hasn't, the appearance is down to the low angled autumnal sunshine. The flat-topped moorland hill at the centre of the image is Long Law; the oblique line crossing it is the Boltslaw Incline.

Trevor Littlewood

Multiple tracks on East Slate Quarry Hill

The tracks have been formed by years of passage by vehicles, mainly quad bikes but also perhaps, occasional tractors.

Trevor Littlewood

Snow on slope north of Long Hill

Fresh snow lying on the north side of Long Hill with Long Law in the distance.

Trevor Littlewood

Bolt's Burn Ford

This ford is found at Bolt's Burn near Rook Hope. A video of the ford can be seen at: Link

John Walton

Church House Farm Ford

This irish bridge ford is found on the driveway to Church House Farm.

John Walton

Sheepfold, Stanhope Common

brian clark

Reahope Moor

brian clark

A consequence of freezing rain

Freezing rain had been forecast to fall during 15 December 2018; it did and this is the result. Ordinary liquid rain falls landing on surfaces below freezing point; the rain then freezes. On fairly level surfaces such as paths and roads the result can then be a sheet of ice, and that's the situation here, the ice persisting even two days later. To make progress on foot over the paths and roads was extremely awkward and an alternative walking route had to be used than that planned.

Trevor Littlewood

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Stotfield Pasture is located at Grid Ref: NY9442 (Lat: 54.777984, Lng: -2.0864847)

Unitary Authority: County Durham

Police Authority: Durham