Black Fell

Downs, Moorland in Durham

England

Black Fell

Washington Car Park The view of the Galleries Shopping Centre in Washington. — Washington Car Park Credit: Gordon Griffiths

Black Fell is a prominent upland area located in County Durham, England. Situated within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is part of a larger expanse of moorland that stretches across Weardale and Teesdale. Rising to an elevation of approximately 663 meters (2,175 feet), Black Fell offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

The area is characterized by its rugged and wild landscape, featuring heather-clad moorland, rocky outcrops, and deep valleys carved by ancient glacial activity. Black Fell is an important habitat for a variety of wildlife, including upland birds such as curlews, grouse, and golden plovers. It is also home to several rare plant species, including the Alpine saxifrage and the juniper.

Access to Black Fell is primarily by foot, with several public footpaths and trails traversing the area. These paths provide opportunities for visitors to explore the moorland, taking in the breathtaking scenery and enjoying the tranquility of the surroundings. Hikers and nature enthusiasts can also observe the remnants of the area's lead mining past, with the ruins of old mine buildings and spoil heaps scattered across the landscape.

Black Fell offers a unique experience for those seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the North Pennines. Its remote and unspoiled nature provides a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a connection with nature.

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Black Fell Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.904909/-1.560584 or Grid Reference NZ2856. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Washington Car Park

The view of the Galleries Shopping Centre in Washington.

Gordon Griffiths

Washington F Pit Museum

In the 18th/19th century, a series of coal pits were sunk in the area and lettered from A - J. F pit was sunk in 1777. By the 1960s F Pit employed 1500 men and was the UK's oldest working coalmine. F Pit was closed in 1968. The pit head and winding house was preserved as a small museum (open summer weekends only). Today it is in a park and surrounded by trees; it is difficult to imagine the working pit with its 200 ft high slagheap! More info: Link

Historical info: Link

(halfway down the page)

Brian Abbott

The Galleries shopping centre

What in the USA would be called a 'downtown mall', the Galleries is a 1970s-built shopping centre - depressingly similar to many such found across the UK. It is the main shopping centre in Washington and the main feature in this square.

Brian Abbott

Pond and fields near Sheddon's Hill

Looking northward from The Mill House Car Park. The pond would seem to be a recent addition to the landscape. Whilst shown on current OS mapping it is not on my earlier Explorer map. The other possible giveaway are the tops of the fence posts - once a field boundary?

Peter Wood

Birtley Statue

The view of the Statue of Lt Colonel Edward Moseley Perkins off Fell Bank, Birtley.

Gordon Griffiths

Kateregina View

The view of Fell Bank in Birtley, Gateshead.

Gordon Griffiths

St John The Evangelist

The view of the Church on Birtley Lane, Birtley.

Gordon Griffiths

Parsons Road

The view up the Washington Road.

Gordon Griffiths

Ordnance Survey Cut Mark

This mark can be found on the roadside wall of the Mill House Inn. The recorded details give a height of 121.1838 metres above sea level. For more detail see : Link

Peter Wood

Benchmark on wall bounding grounds of Eighton Lodge

Ordnance Survey cut mark benchmark levelled at 80.751m above Newlyn Datum verified 1962

Roger Templeman

Wall bounding grounds of Eighton Lodge on NE side of Durham Road

There is an Ordnance Survey benchmark NZ2657 : Benchmark on wall bounding grounds of Eighton Lodge on the wall on the far side of the entrance wall piers

Roger Templeman

Angel View hotel and restaurant

Roger Templeman

Roadworks on A1 at A167 junction

Roger Templeman

Bowes Railway Path approaching bridge under Newcastle Bank

Roger Templeman

Bowes Railway Path closed at A1 underpass - time for Plan B!

Roger Templeman

Nos. 39 and 37 Long Bank

Luke Shaw

Joseph Hopper Terrace on NE side of A167

Houses named after the founder of the Durham Aged Mineworkers Homes Association. The stone plaque includes 1899 date.

Luke Shaw

#2 Long Bank, The Cottage at Newcastle Bank (A167) junction

Ordnance Survey records indicate that a benchmark levelled at 56.781m above Newlyn Datum was verified in 1962 1.5m left of the metal gate: the mark is probably still there hidden in the hedge

Roger Templeman

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Black Fell is located at Grid Ref: NZ2856 (Lat: 54.904909, Lng: -1.560584)

Unitary Authority: Sunderland

Police Authority: Northumbria