Western Hope

Valley in Durham

England

Western Hope

Quarry of 'Weardale Works' Weardale has seen massive amounts of rock quarried from its sides and no larger working exists in the valley than the old Blue Circle, later Lafarge operation on the south side which supplied limestone by conveyor to the cement works at Eastgate; OS mapping names the area as &#039;Weardale Works&#039;.
Soon after the Lafarge purchase quarrying and cement manufacture ceased and the cement works at Eastgate was erased. Similarly the quarrying operation ended and the quarry area has been landscaped.
Once a public footpath cut across the north end of the quarry site; it was closed during the period of extraction but it seems that it might be reopened in the future; the image here was taken from the probable line of the path and shows distantly part of the quarry face beyond nearer workings. — Quarry of 'Weardale Works' Credit: Trevor Littlewood

Western Hope, Durham (Valley), is a charming and picturesque town nestled in the heart of County Durham, England. With a population of approximately 2,500 residents, it offers a close-knit community feel and a tranquil atmosphere. The town is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, with rolling hills, lush green fields, and the meandering River Wear flowing nearby.

Western Hope boasts a rich history that dates back centuries. The town's origins can be traced back to the medieval era, and evidence of its past can be seen through its well-preserved historical buildings and architecture. The town center features a mix of traditional stone houses, quaint shops, and local businesses, giving it a timeless and authentic feel.

The town offers a range of amenities for its residents, including a primary school, a community center, and a library. Additionally, there are several recreational facilities such as parks, playgrounds, and sports fields, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities.

Western Hope is known for its strong sense of community spirit, with various events and festivals organized throughout the year. These include the annual summer fair, Christmas markets, and local music performances. The tight-knit community takes great pride in preserving and celebrating its heritage and traditions.

The town's idyllic location allows for easy access to stunning natural attractions, such as the nearby Durham Dales and North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy activities like hiking, cycling, and fishing in the surrounding countryside.

In summary, Western Hope, Durham (Valley), offers a peaceful and community-oriented lifestyle in a beautiful rural setting. With its rich history, stunning natural surroundings, and strong sense of community, it is a place that residents and visitors alike can truly appreciate and enjoy.

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Western Hope Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.721658/-2.1067952 or Grid Reference NY9336. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Quarry of 'Weardale Works'

Weardale has seen massive amounts of rock quarried from its sides and no larger working exists in the valley than the old Blue Circle, later Lafarge operation on the south side which supplied limestone by conveyor to the cement works at Eastgate; OS mapping names the area as 'Weardale Works'. Soon after the Lafarge purchase quarrying and cement manufacture ceased and the cement works at Eastgate was erased. Similarly the quarrying operation ended and the quarry area has been landscaped. Once a public footpath cut across the north end of the quarry site; it was closed during the period of extraction but it seems that it might be reopened in the future; the image here was taken from the probable line of the path and shows distantly part of the quarry face beyond nearer workings.

Trevor Littlewood

Estate road crossing Yew Cleugh

An estate/farm road enters the Weardale side valley of Western Hope keeping above the east side of the Westernhope Burn. That road is seen here descending to cross the minor stream of Yew Cleugh; the view is northwards.

Trevor Littlewood

South-west corner of Ludwell Wood

Ludwell Wood lies to the east of the valley of Western Hope; it's seen in this image from an estate road to the south on the same side of Western Hope.

Trevor Littlewood

Curved walls on west side of Westernhope Burn

There are two wall sections across the stream, one completely ruinous. OS mapping at 1:25 000 names these curved walls as sheepfolds but surely they're not; a sheepfold would have a means of sealing an entrance so as to confine animals when required; that would be impossible here. A more likely explanation is that the features are/were sheep shelters so that beasts could keep out of the worst of poor weather.

Trevor Littlewood

Mine site beside Ash Cleugh

Ash Cleugh is a side valley of Western Hope and continues beyond the mine remains with Blaeberry Cleugh joining from the right just below the spoil heap; the mine site is one of many within the Western Hope catchment.

Trevor Littlewood

Estate road in Western Hope

An estate road enters Western Hope on its eastern side where for some distance it runs at the lower edge of the 'Weardale Works', now disused. The 'Works' was a limestone quarrying operation which cut and crushed the rock then transported it by conveyor down to the floor of the Wear Valley at Eastgate for the manufacture of cement at the Blue Circle plant there. The mounds in the distance are landscaped spoil heaps of the quarry; the road runs below there too.

Trevor Littlewood

Storage shed

Andrew Tatlow

Herding Sheep

Andrew Tatlow

Old and new at Littlewood Farm

A curious situation here where the foundations of the new build in front of the camera seem to have been installed across the line of a public footpath or at least very close to it! The footpath arises from a minor road on the south side of the River Wear and rises south-east towards what were the abandoned buildings at Littlewood Farm, the route being less than straightforward to follow even before this location. It's assumed that the route is still a current right of way - there's a finger post in place where the path leaves the road and no indication of any variation from the mapped line.

Trevor Littlewood

Slope rising to Blackhill End

This is the western side of Western Hope, a tributary valley of the River Wear. There appears to be some sort of experimental work going on here; the fence in the image has clearly been installed recently and demarcates vegetation cover. Outside the enclosed area the dead grass strands of the previous year's growth remain but inside they're missing - obviously removed by some means. There are areas of the unkempt vegetation within the fenced area as well and a pattern exists with the two types of vegetation cover alternating.

Trevor Littlewood

Westernhopeburn

Alex McGregor

Westernhopeburn

Alex McGregor

Ruin, Westernhopeburn

Alex McGregor

Black Hill, Weardale

Black Hill is aptly named. The area is so bleak, it is breath taking. There aren't many hill walkers in Weardale, so no brightly coloured dots to spoil the photo.

Ayre