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Grooves Cleugh

Valley in Durham

England

Grooves 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

Grooves Cleugh is a stunning valley located in County Durham, England. Situated within the larger area of Weardale, this picturesque landscape is renowned for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife. The cleugh, or valley, is formed by the flow of the Grooves Burn, a small but significant river that meanders through the area.

The valley is characterized by its steep slopes and rolling hills, offering visitors breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Lush green meadows, dotted with wildflowers, provide a vibrant backdrop to the tranquil river. Grooves Cleugh is particularly popular among hikers and nature enthusiasts, who come to explore the various walking trails that crisscross the area.

The cleugh is home to a rich and diverse range of wildlife, including numerous bird species, small mammals, and insects. Birdwatchers can expect to spot species such as black grouse, curlew, and red grouse, while otters and badgers are often seen by those lucky enough to observe them.

The valley is also steeped in history, with evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years. Ruins of old farmhouses and mining structures can be found scattered throughout the area, providing a glimpse into the region's past.

Overall, Grooves Cleugh offers a unique blend of natural beauty, wildlife, and historical significance. Whether it's a leisurely stroll along the riverbank or an adventurous hike up the hills, visitors are sure to be captivated by the charm and tranquility of this hidden gem in Durham.

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Grooves Cleugh Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.720636/-2.2468242 or Grid Reference NY8436. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Sheep on moorland beside Grasshill Causeway Four animals, (there are four), just south-east of the public road at over 500 m. above sea level. Noon Hill is in the distance beyond the valley of the Ireshope Burn.
Sheep on moorland beside Grasshill Causeway
Four animals, (there are four), just south-east of the public road at over 500 m. above sea level. Noon Hill is in the distance beyond the valley of the Ireshope Burn.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 - <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6872590" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6872590">Link</a> . The new hut is now complete. Chapel Fell is the distant moorland hill.
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.
Hill road leaving Grasshill Causeway The rough road appears to be heading for High House but it doesn't go directly there, instead it veers to the left to reach another building, not in view in the image, Far High House. Neither property is occupied.
Hill road leaving Grasshill Causeway
The rough road appears to be heading for High House but it doesn't go directly there, instead it veers to the left to reach another building, not in view in the image, Far High House. Neither property is occupied.
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 - <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7284713" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7284713">Link</a> . Noon Hill is the large white expanse in the distance. Chapel Fell and Fendrith Hill are further away and largely hidden by cloud.
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.
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 - <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6872590" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6872590">Link</a> - replacing the earlier one. Needless to say there's no public access to the hut: it's well secured.
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.
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.
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.
Hill road at Peatcleugh Sike The stream, Peatcleugh Sike is crossed at the road bend. The road is also the route of a bridleway.
Hill road at Peatcleugh Sike
The stream, Peatcleugh Sike is crossed at the road bend. The road is also the route of a bridleway.
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.
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.
Wall with gate across icy hill road The rough road, also a bridleway, is above the western side of the valley of Ires Hope. It continues for some distance behind the camera position, deteriorating eventually and ends on open moorland at Wham Pasture. The enclosure beyond the left side wall is in use by Northumbrian Water and has a number of settling ponds marked on OS, 1:25 000 maps. The distant moorland is Black Hill.
Wall with gate across icy hill road
The rough road, also a bridleway, is above the western side of the valley of Ires Hope. It continues for some distance behind the camera position, deteriorating eventually and ends on open moorland at Wham Pasture. The enclosure beyond the left side wall is in use by Northumbrian Water and has a number of settling ponds marked on OS, 1:25 000 maps. The distant moorland is Black Hill.
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 - <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1930935" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1930935">Link</a> For a (very) technical discussion see <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/12/21162303/2" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/12/21162303/2">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
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 LinkExternal link
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.
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.
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......
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......
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Grooves Cleugh is located at Grid Ref: NY8436 (Lat: 54.720636, Lng: -2.2468242)

Unitary Authority: County Durham

Police Authority: Durham

What 3 Words

///deflated.menswear.exits. Near Newbiggin, Co. Durham

Nearby Locations

Ireshope Moor Deep Cleugh Grooves Cleugh

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.720636,-2.2468242
Ireshope Moor
Natural: heath
Source: NPE
Lat/Long: 54.7208534/-2.2493568
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Disused: yes
Man Made: mineshaft
Lat/Long: 54.7237806/-2.2416428
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Deepcleugh Level
Archaeological Site: mineral_extraction
Historic: mine_level
Note: exact location uncertain
Source: NLS-OS-NatGrid-110k-1940-60
Lat/Long: 54.7213724/-2.2417463
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Swancombe Bottom Wiltshire
Glen Garron Kincardineshire

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