Nookton Fell

Hill, Mountain in Durham

England

Nookton Fell

Newbiggin Hall and Birkside Farm from Bale Hill The Reverend Daniel Capper sold up Newbiggin and Hunstanworth estate by auction in London on 1st August 1865. The sales brochure describes the mansion house of Newbiggin as the jewel in the estate crown. Rev Capper had recently spent £30,000 on new farm buildings, the latest water power machinery and rebuilding the estate cottages &quot;with four rooms each&quot;. Kelly&#039;s Directory 1894 tells us it is owned by Edward Joicey esq. J.P. Pevsner documents that the house was rebuilt in Neo-classical style in 1906 after a fire of 1904 from a Latin inscription on the west wall. Reports indicate it has been a First World War sanatorium, a turkey farm and hotel and was more recently owned by a member of the Arabian royal family who stays a couple of times a year for the grouse shooting. — Newbiggin Hall and Birkside Farm from Bale Hill Credit: Jo and Steve Turner

Nookton Fell is a prominent hill located in County Durham, England. It is situated in the northern region of the Pennines, a mountain range that runs through northern England. With an elevation of approximately 1,736 feet (529 meters), Nookton Fell stands as one of the highest points in the Durham Dales.

The hill is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Its location within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty further enhances its appeal to nature enthusiasts and hikers. Nookton Fell is a particularly popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, walking, and wildlife spotting.

The terrain of Nookton Fell is characterized by rolling hills, rocky outcrops, and heather moorland. The hill is covered in a patchwork of vegetation, including grasses, ferns, and wildflowers, which provide a habitat for a variety of wildlife species. Visitors may catch glimpses of birds such as curlews, lapwings, and golden plovers, as well as mammals like hares and roe deer.

Access to Nookton Fell is primarily via public footpaths and trails that wind their way through the surrounding countryside. These paths offer varying levels of difficulty, catering to both experienced hikers and casual walkers. It is advisable to bring suitable outdoor gear, including sturdy footwear, to fully enjoy the hill's natural wonders.

Nookton Fell is a true gem of County Durham, providing a tranquil escape and a chance to immerse oneself in the region's picturesque landscapes. Whether it's for a challenging hike or a leisurely stroll, Nookton Fell offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

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Nookton Fell Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.836885/-2.0933057 or Grid Reference NY9449. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Newbiggin Hall and Birkside Farm from Bale Hill

The Reverend Daniel Capper sold up Newbiggin and Hunstanworth estate by auction in London on 1st August 1865. The sales brochure describes the mansion house of Newbiggin as the jewel in the estate crown. Rev Capper had recently spent £30,000 on new farm buildings, the latest water power machinery and rebuilding the estate cottages "with four rooms each". Kelly's Directory 1894 tells us it is owned by Edward Joicey esq. J.P. Pevsner documents that the house was rebuilt in Neo-classical style in 1906 after a fire of 1904 from a Latin inscription on the west wall. Reports indicate it has been a First World War sanatorium, a turkey farm and hotel and was more recently owned by a member of the Arabian royal family who stays a couple of times a year for the grouse shooting.

Jo and Steve Turner

View to East High House Farm from Bale Hill

Jo and Steve Turner

Hunstanworth from Bale Hill

Hunstanworth is one of the 'Thankful Villages' (a term popularised by the writer Arthur Mee in the 1930s) that suffered no fatalities during the Great War of 1914-1918. The unusual patterns in the roof tiles was a creation of architect Samuel Sanders Teulon who had been commissioned by Reverend Daniel Capper, landowner who would stay in Newbiggin Hall during the grouse shooting season, to build a new church, school, reading room, shop and workers' terraced cottages in 1863. The distinctive diamond-patterned, steep-pitched roofs and Victorian Gothic detail make Hunstanworth unique among the villages of the North Pennines. Closure of the local lead mines in the 1880s diminished the 800 strong population (778 in 1861) to just 200 by 1901. The population of the village in 2011 was 116. John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales of 1870-72 informs us that "the church was rebuilt in 1865, at a cost of £2,500".

Jo and Steve Turner