Frances' Cleugh

Valley in Durham

England

Frances' Cleugh

Fence line on ridge of Noon Hill Noon Hill has no true summit and must have been named because of its appearance from the valley; it is in fact just a ridge of Chapel Fell.
Chapel Fell is the cloud-shadowed band on the horizon. — Fence line on ridge of Noon Hill Credit: Trevor Littlewood

Frances' Cleugh is a picturesque valley located in Durham, a county in the northeastern part of England. Situated near the village of Blanchland, this stunning landscape is renowned for its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere.

The valley is named after Frances, a local landowner, who owned the land during the 18th century. It is characterized by a meandering river that runs through the center, known as the Cleugh Burn. The river flows gently, creating small cascades and pools along its course, adding to the charm of the area.

The surrounding landscape of Frances' Cleugh is dominated by rolling hills and lush greenery, making it an ideal spot for nature enthusiasts and hikers. Visitors can explore the numerous walking trails that crisscross the valley, offering breathtaking views of the countryside and opportunities to spot local wildlife.

One of the highlights of Frances' Cleugh is the abundance of wildflowers that bloom during the spring and summer months, creating a vibrant tapestry of colors. The valley is also home to a variety of bird species, including woodpeckers and kingfishers, making it a haven for birdwatchers.

In addition to its natural beauty, Frances' Cleugh is steeped in history. The ruins of a medieval chapel can be found in the valley, adding an air of mystery and intrigue. The tranquil setting and historical remnants make Frances' Cleugh a popular destination for those seeking peace and tranquility away from the bustling city life.

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Frances' Cleugh Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.713816/-2.2506632 or Grid Reference NY8335. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fence line on ridge of Noon Hill

Noon Hill has no true summit and must have been named because of its appearance from the valley; it is in fact just a ridge of Chapel Fell. Chapel Fell is the cloud-shadowed band on the horizon.

Trevor Littlewood

Old railway goods van at lane end

The view is from the northern slope of Noon Hill over the valley of Ires Hope, and beyond to the Wear valley. The van is at the end of a walled lane starting at the village, Ireshopeburn and ending at the wall. Railway vans of the type in the image are regularly found in use as small farm stores; many of them are now so old that they're falling apart or have done so already.

Trevor Littlewood

Summit of High Field

The summit area as seen from west along the watershed fence line. A fine location, dry underfoot and, unlike many moorland hills, no doubt about the summit location.

Trevor Littlewood

Stone-built structure of north side of High Field

Tempting to call this a ruin but perhaps it's not. It's certainly in a rickety state but possibly intact. Its purpose is unknown being too small to be used as a pen for any reasonable number of sheep. Chapel Fell is the distant hill.

Trevor Littlewood

New shooting hut on Ireshope Moor

A shooting hut has stood at the site for many years. The photographer first knew of a building at the location without a door and open for use by local sheep! Some time ago that building was renovated, the hut was secured and in use by the estate for grouse shooting. And then, just over a year ago, a visit found a new hut under construction - Link . The new hut is now complete. Chapel Fell is the distant moorland hill.

Trevor Littlewood

Shooting hut on Ireshope Moor at the end of 1996

A good covering of snow on the moor which is easily accessed via Grasshill Causeway. The building in view has been demolished and a new hut has replaced it - Link . Noon Hill is the large white expanse in the distance. Chapel Fell and Fendrith Hill are further away and largely hidden by cloud.

Trevor Littlewood

Hill walker approaching shooting hut

The hut is on Ireshope Moor at an altitude of 630 metres making 1t one of the highest buildings in England. There's been a building at the location for a long time but this one was newly built in 2021 - Link - replacing the earlier one. Needless to say there's no public access to the hut: it's well secured.

Trevor Littlewood

Peat banks under snow on Ireshope Moor

Ireshope Moor is at the head of the valley of the Ireshope Burn which is plainly seen in the image. Beyond the valley head is the snowed expanse of Noon Hill and more distantly, two hills on the watershed between the Wear and Tees valleys: Chapel Fell and Fendrith Hill. The summit snows of those hills appear to merge with the paleness of the farthest sky.

Trevor Littlewood

Hill walker returning from summit of Great Stony Hill

The hill's summit is along the fence line where there's a cairn and a trig point. The climber is returning to the hill road crossing between Weardale and Teesdale at its high point, Coldberry End.

Trevor Littlewood

Recovering ground following bog burst on Noon Hill

A bog burst occurs when water pressure beneath a peat surface causes it to rupture. The photographer first visited this location perhaps 30 years ago when the feature was new, the substrate was exposed and peat blocks littered the slope below. Peat blocks still lie on that slope but the once bare 'earth' has partly revegetated; clearly it's a slow process here at around 2000 feet above sea level. For another north Pennine example of a bog burst see - Link For a (very) technical discussion see Link

Trevor Littlewood

Summit area of Noon Hill

Noon Hill is the name applied to the west end of a ridge of high moorland on the south side of Weardale, west of Chapel Fell; it has very little identity as a hill in its own right and is in fact really just the west ridge of Chapel Fell, which forms the distant skyline.

Trevor Littlewood

Moorland declining westwards from Noon Hill

From Noon Hill the Tees/Wear watershed line descends to the west crossing very poorly drained ground. The estate or farm road seen is a recent, unmapped and unwelcome addition to this desolate piece of land. The distant grassy dome rises to 708m and is known by various names ; High Field, Coldberry End, Great Stony Hill......

Trevor Littlewood

Ground descending to head of Langdon Beck

Langdon Beck is a side valley of upper Teesdale though it actually descends to make a confluence with Harwood Beck. The view is beyond the valley head to the ridge connecting Chapel Fell and Fendrith Hill, from the upper eastern slope of Three Pikes.

Trevor Littlewood

Old mineral workings on Grasshill Common

Old mineral workings (for lead?) dot the ridge which separates Weardale and Teesdale. A rough road from Ireshopeburn to Grass Hill Farm used to serve these workings.

Oliver Dixon

Slopes of Causeway Hill

The bleak high ridge which separates Weardale from Teesdale.

Oliver Dixon

Grasshill Causeway

A very rough road which runs from Grass Hill Farm at the head of Teesdale over to Ireshopeburn in Weardale. At one time, the road served the lead mines in the vicinity. At 674 metres the summit is considerably higher than any tarmac road in England. The cairn on Coldberry End can be seen on the skyline.

Oliver Dixon

Coldberry End and Grasshill Causeway

A very rough road which runs from Ireshopeburn in Weardale over to Grass Hill Farm at the head of Teesdale. At one time, the road served the lead mines in the vicinity. At 674 metres the summit is considerably higher than any tarmac road in England.

Oliver Dixon

Grasshill Causeway

A very rough road which runs from Grass Hill Farm at the head of Teesdale over to Ireshopeburn in Weardale. At one time, the road served the lead mines in the vicinity. In the middle distance can be seen the roof of the shooting hut which services the grouse butts on Ireshope Moor.

Oliver Dixon

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Frances' Cleugh is located at Grid Ref: NY8335 (Lat: 54.713816, Lng: -2.2506632)

Unitary Authority: County Durham

Police Authority: Durham