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Black Hill

Hill, Mountain in Durham

England

Black Hill

Minor Road at Swinhope Head The road begins a long descent into the Upper Tees Valley from here.
Minor Road at Swinhope Head Credit: Philip Cornwall

Black Hill is a prominent hill located in County Durham, England. Rising to an elevation of approximately 304 meters (997 feet), it is part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Situated about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) southwest of the village of Blanchland, Black Hill offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

The hill is formed primarily of limestone, creating a distinctive landscape characterized by craggy outcrops and deep gorges. It is known for its diverse flora and fauna, with heather, bilberry, and cotton grass covering the hillside, along with a variety of wildflowers in the warmer months. The area is also home to several bird species, including the red grouse, merlin, and golden plover.

Black Hill is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly hikers and walkers, who can enjoy a network of footpaths and trails that crisscross the hill and its surroundings. One of the most well-known routes is the Pennine Way, a long-distance footpath that passes near the summit of Black Hill. Additionally, the hill is part of the Black Hill and Burnhope Reservoirs Site of Special Scientific Interest, further highlighting its ecological significance.

The hill's location in the North Pennines offers a tranquil and remote setting, making it a favored spot for those seeking solitude and natural beauty. Its proximity to Blanchland also means that visitors can easily access amenities such as parking, accommodations, and local eateries. Overall, Black Hill is a captivating destination that showcases the natural splendor of County Durham's landscape.

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Black Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.695295/-2.1465525 or Grid Reference NY9033. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Minor Road at Swinhope Head The road begins a long descent into the Upper Tees Valley from here.
Minor Road at Swinhope Head
The road begins a long descent into the Upper Tees Valley from here.
View from Swinhope Head towards Dora's Seat
View from Swinhope Head towards Dora's Seat
Pine trees in Swin Hope Swin Hope is a tributary valley of the River Wear; it's seen here looking downhill towards the parent valley.
Pine trees in Swin Hope
Swin Hope is a tributary valley of the River Wear; it's seen here looking downhill towards the parent valley.
Road summit at Swinhope Head [2] Quite a contrast to the last time I took a photograph here [22/03/18] as the temperature on that occasion was only a little above freezing, but on this occasion it was 33°C, even at 2000ft. Taken on a day of record breaking temperatures across Britain. Not much point in coming up here to keep cool.
Road summit at Swinhope Head [2]
Quite a contrast to the last time I took a photograph here [22/03/18] as the temperature on that occasion was only a little above freezing, but on this occasion it was 33°C, even at 2000ft. Taken on a day of record breaking temperatures across Britain. Not much point in coming up here to keep cool.
The start of a long descent The minor road from Newbiggin to Westgate begins a long descent here from the 2000ft contour to below 1000ft in Weardale.
The start of a long descent
The minor road from Newbiggin to Westgate begins a long descent here from the 2000ft contour to below 1000ft in Weardale.
Swinhope Plantation First edition OS maps of the 1850's show an extensive area of trees around the upper reaches of the Swinhope Burn. This view shows the eastern edge of the wooded area with plenty of Scots pine in evidence. If the old OS map is accurate, then the wooded area is in decline as there are areas now without trees, but the question is, why was this area planted in the first place?
Swinhope Plantation
First edition OS maps of the 1850's show an extensive area of trees around the upper reaches of the Swinhope Burn. This view shows the eastern edge of the wooded area with plenty of Scots pine in evidence. If the old OS map is accurate, then the wooded area is in decline as there are areas now without trees, but the question is, why was this area planted in the first place?
Moorland south of Swinhope Head Looking south west towards Mickle Fell (left) and Meldon Hill (right).
Moorland south of Swinhope Head
Looking south west towards Mickle Fell (left) and Meldon Hill (right).
Moorland around Hare Law Sike
Moorland around Hare Law Sike
Swinhope Moor below Chapelfell Top
Swinhope Moor below Chapelfell Top
New House
New House
Swinhope Plantation The plantation is in the upper valley of Swin Hope, a tributary to the River Wear. The trees are well scattered and give the impression of an open, mixed woodland. The building with the rusting roof is known as New House.
Swinhope Plantation
The plantation is in the upper valley of Swin Hope, a tributary to the River Wear. The trees are well scattered and give the impression of an open, mixed woodland. The building with the rusting roof is known as New House.
Sheepwash beside Wester Beck Wester Beck is a tributary of the River Tees which lies in the direction of the view. The sheepwash is a disused farming feature; water, (perhaps with 'additives') would be let into the trough and the sheep fed in from the high step at the far end of it. The remains of sheepfolds can be seen at the end of the trough where animals would be kept to await their turn; the river is eroding the bank below the folds and there's been some collapsing of their stonework.
Sheepwash beside Wester Beck
Wester Beck is a tributary of the River Tees which lies in the direction of the view. The sheepwash is a disused farming feature; water, (perhaps with 'additives') would be let into the trough and the sheep fed in from the high step at the far end of it. The remains of sheepfolds can be seen at the end of the trough where animals would be kept to await their turn; the river is eroding the bank below the folds and there's been some collapsing of their stonework.
Minor road on Newbiggin Common Just below the summit at Swinhope Head which, at 609 metres above sea level, I believe is the highest public motorable road in England.
Minor road on Newbiggin Common
Just below the summit at Swinhope Head which, at 609 metres above sea level, I believe is the highest public motorable road in England.
Road summit at Swinhope Head Cattle grid at the summit of the road from Newbiggin (Teesdale) to Westgate (Weardale) at Swinhope Head which, at 609 metres above sea level, I believe is the highest public motorable road in England.
Road summit at Swinhope Head
Cattle grid at the summit of the road from Newbiggin (Teesdale) to Westgate (Weardale) at Swinhope Head which, at 609 metres above sea level, I believe is the highest public motorable road in England.
Descent into the valley of the Swinhope Burn Dramatic descent on the road from Newbiggin (Teesdale) to Westgate (Weardale) from the summit at Swinhope Head which, at 609 metres above sea level, I believe is the highest public motorable road in England. Swinside House <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/NY8935">NY8935</a> can be seen on the flank of the valley to the left.
Descent into the valley of the Swinhope Burn
Dramatic descent on the road from Newbiggin (Teesdale) to Westgate (Weardale) from the summit at Swinhope Head which, at 609 metres above sea level, I believe is the highest public motorable road in England. Swinside House NY8935 can be seen on the flank of the valley to the left.
Electric transmission line at Swinhope Head On the watershed between Teesdale (to the left) and Weardale.
Electric transmission line at Swinhope Head
On the watershed between Teesdale (to the left) and Weardale.
Descent to Swinhope Bridge On the mountain road between Newbiggin (Teesdale) and Westgate (Weardale). Swinside House <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/NY8935">NY8935</a> stands on the hillside beyond.
Descent to Swinhope Bridge
On the mountain road between Newbiggin (Teesdale) and Westgate (Weardale). Swinside House NY8935 stands on the hillside beyond.
Shelter belt above Swinhopehead House On the mountain road between Newbiggin (Teesdale) and Westgate (Weardale). Swinhopehead House lies at the downhill end of this small patch of woodland. Chapelfell Top <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/NY8734">NY8734</a> on the skyline.
Shelter belt above Swinhopehead House
On the mountain road between Newbiggin (Teesdale) and Westgate (Weardale). Swinhopehead House lies at the downhill end of this small patch of woodland. Chapelfell Top NY8734 on the skyline.
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Black Hill is located at Grid Ref: NY9033 (Lat: 54.695295, Lng: -2.1465525)

Unitary Authority: County Durham

Police Authority: Durham

What 3 Words

///paint.droplet.lends. Near Newbiggin, Co. Durham

Nearby Locations

Black Hill Swinhope Head Westernhope Moor

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.695295,-2.1465525
Black Hill
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 54.6955922/-2.1464992
OpenStreetMap
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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