Coal Cleugh

Valley in Northumberland

England

Coal Cleugh

A689 descending Westwards from Killhope Cross Long descent from Killhope Cross towards the Nent Valley in Cumbria — A689 descending Westwards from Killhope Cross Credit: Chris Heaton

Coal Cleugh is a small valley located in the county of Northumberland, England. Situated in the northern part of the county, it is known for its beautiful natural scenery and rich mining history.

The valley is characterized by its rolling hills, lush green fields, and meandering streams. It is surrounded by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which adds to its picturesque charm. The landscape is dotted with ancient ruins and remnants of its industrial past, including old mine shafts and disused buildings.

Coal Cleugh takes its name from the coal mines that were once prevalent in the area. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the valley was a hub of mining activity, with numerous collieries operating in the vicinity. The mining industry played a significant role in shaping the local economy and community.

Today, the valley is a popular destination for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and history buffs. It offers a range of outdoor activities, such as walking, cycling, and birdwatching, with several well-marked trails and footpaths crisscrossing the area. The valley's diverse wildlife includes various bird species, foxes, and rabbits.

Visitors to Coal Cleugh can explore the remnants of the mining era, with some sites open to the public as educational attractions. The valley also provides a tranquil setting for picnics and relaxation, with its peaceful atmosphere and stunning views.

In summary, Coal Cleugh is a picturesque valley in Northumberland, renowned for its natural beauty, mining heritage, and outdoor recreational opportunities. It is a place where visitors can immerse themselves in the region's history while enjoying the tranquility of its countryside.

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Coal Cleugh Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.799079/-2.3097388 or Grid Reference NY8044. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

A689 descending Westwards from Killhope Cross

Long descent from Killhope Cross towards the Nent Valley in Cumbria

Chris Heaton

Furniture on Killhope Cross

County sign, Weardale sign, watershed and the old stone cross stand beside the highest point an "A" Road attains in England.

Chris Heaton

The A689 climbing eastward to the watershed at Slate Hill

Leaving Nentdale and approaching the head of Weardale

Tim Heaton

The A689 crossing the Cumbria/Durham county boundary at the top of Slate Hill

The 'Kilhope Cross' stone cross in front of the sign is a Listed Grade II "Boundary marker of uncertain date but possibly medieval; moved to its present site in C18." Link

Tim Heaton

Peat banks on The Dodd

There's a prominent cairn at the camera position, not in view in the image of course. It's likely that it was built to mark what someone considered to be the hill's summit but others think differently. The authoritative web site 'Hillbagging' has the summit to be at NY 79159 45761, over 100 m. SSW. of the cairn. At a different location again there's an OS spot height of 614 m. which might well be an accurate height but of course there's no necessary claim of that as the highest point. It's impossible to judge; when at The Dodd's summit area there are clearly countless locations which could be the prime one! The view from the cairn over the peat banks is across the head of West Allendale with Killhope Law distant.

Trevor Littlewood

Cruel suggestion along Cumbrian road!

This is the A689 heading towards Killhope Cross on the boundary between Cumbria and County Durham which is the highest point reached by any A-classified road in England - 623 metres. (It's beaten in Scotland by the A93 at the Cairnwell Pass - 670 metres.) It's to be hoped that the road sign isn't advertising a barbaric service! (Cruelty there too to the English language... missing apostrophe!)

Trevor Littlewood

Roofless barns at Roughside

At over 520 m. the farmhouse at Roughside must have been one of the highest occupied houses in the UK. It's long gone but the barns there still stand as roofless ruins.

Trevor Littlewood

Boundary stone near fence angle on Slate Hill

Slate Hill is a location close to the A689 at Killhope Cross, the highest point reached by any A-classified road in England. The stone is cleanly and deeply cut, 'C 1863'. It's on the County Durham / Cumbria boundary which in 1863 would have been between Durham and Cumberland. It's possible then, but not certain that the C denotes the county; there's no corresponding D on the other side, nothing in fact. Knoutberry Hill is in the distance.

Trevor Littlewood

Old Boundary Marker

County Boundary Marker against the boundary fence on Slate Hill, north of Killhope Cross CBED_ALS. On the boundary of Alston Moor, Cumbria, was Cumberland, and Stanhope, County Durham. Milestone Society National ID: CU_ALMSTA02cb

Colin Smith

Headwaters of Killhope Burn

One of the main feeders of the River Wear, flowing east downstream

Chris Heaton

Descending East off Killhope Cross

A689 descending off Killhope Cross into County Durham and towards Weardale

Chris Heaton

Killhope Bank

The A689 descending off Killhope Cross into Weardale

Chris Heaton

The A689 descending Killhope Bank into the head of Weardale

Tim Heaton

The A689 leading up to the head of Weardale

Cumbria starts at the horizon

Tim Heaton

Ochreous stream beside shaley slope

Ochre is an iron oxide or hydroxide present in certain rocks and often found in uplands staining pools and watercourses. The flow of the stream in the image (Bridge Cleugh) is particularly strongly affected. The loose, shaley material beside the stream is a natural feature. The similar piles higher on the slope have been bulldozed to create a flat parking area for a shooting hut - its roof can be seen.

Trevor Littlewood

Trig point and summit area of Killhope Law

The pillar stands on the Northumberland / County Durham boundary. It's seen here in dry conditions; more usually there's something of a moat there, as in an image from Andrew Curtis - Link . The undulations on the left horizon are the Great and Little Dun Fells and Cross Fell.

Trevor Littlewood

Carrshield lead mines and ore works

The small building on the west bank of River West Allen is next to the adit of Scraithole Mine. This was the second mine at the Carrshield complex. Scraithole Mine was operated during the 19th century by the Beaumont Company, and was reopened in the 1950s when it continued to be operational until 1981. Access to this mine was also through an adit; the entrance is situated on the left bank of the river immediately east of the track to Greenpit, opposite Bluerow Cottages NY8046 : Scraithole Mine, Carrshield.

Andrew Curtis

Barneycraig Mine Shop, Carrshield

The two storeyed lodging shop is the largest in the north Pennines and retains several original internal features including arched furnace openings and a blacksmiths' forge. Inside and surrounding the lodging shop there are a series of culverts, some of which are thought to have been used to drain the mines; others are thought to be related to the water management system associated with ore processing at the northern end of the monument. Also see: NY8046 : Plaque, Barneycraig Mine Shop, Carrshield and NY8046 : Barneycraig Mine Shop, Carrshield The range of buildings is Grade II Listed (1042932): Link

With funding from Historic England and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership renovated the building using traditional methods and existing materials, converting the upper floors into a basic Camping Barn. It is now owned and managed by Allen Valleys Enterprise Limited, for the benefit of the local community. Link

Archive Link

Andrew Curtis

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Coal Cleugh is located at Grid Ref: NY8044 (Lat: 54.799079, Lng: -2.3097388)

Unitary Authority: Northumberland

Police Authority: Northumbria