Cassop Vale

Valley in Durham

England

Cassop Vale

Ice, mud and ruts at field entrance Fields north-west of the small village at Quarrington Hill accessed from a gate on minor road. — Ice, mud and ruts at field entrance Credit: Trevor Littlewood

Cassop Vale, located in County Durham, England, is a picturesque valley renowned for its natural beauty and historical significance. Nestled between the villages of Cassop and Haswell Plough, this tranquil valley is a haven for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

The valley is characterized by its lush greenery, rolling hills, and meandering streams, creating a captivating landscape that attracts visitors throughout the year. Walking trails wind through the valley, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and providing the perfect opportunity to spot local wildlife, such as rabbits, foxes, and a variety of bird species.

Cassop Vale also holds historical importance, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Bronze Age. The remains of a Roman fort can be found in the valley, emphasizing its significance as a strategic location in ancient times. Additionally, remnants of the industrial revolution can be seen in the form of former coal mining sites, which played a crucial role in Durham's industrial past.

The valley offers various recreational activities, including picnicking, hiking, and birdwatching. Visitors can explore the nearby Cassop and Haswell Plough villages, which boast charming architecture and traditional pubs. The valley's proximity to the city of Durham also allows for easy access to cultural attractions, such as Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle.

Overall, Cassop Vale is a captivating destination that seamlessly blends natural beauty with rich history. Whether it's exploring its scenic trails, immersing oneself in its historical significance, or simply enjoying the tranquility of the countryside, Cassop Vale offers a memorable experience for all who visit.

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Cassop Vale Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.742614/-1.4832935 or Grid Reference NZ3338. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Ice, mud and ruts at field entrance

Fields north-west of the small village at Quarrington Hill accessed from a gate on minor road.

Trevor Littlewood

Grassy slope rising to birch woodland

The grass, trees and the road all appear to be within the Crow Trees Nature Reserve, close to the village of Quarrington Hill. The reserve is important for its magnesian limestone grassland. The surrounding area has been extensively quarried and mined in the past and extraction continues at Tarmac's Quarrington Quarry to the north of the reserve.

Trevor Littlewood

Unmade road east of Old Quarrington

The tarmacked road reaching Old Quarrington ends there as a public road but continues as an unmade one to the east of the village where it joins another road. OS mapping differs according to its age and source in how access along the routes applies. Some maps including paper ones in the possession of the photographer show the upper road as a bridleway continuing to Quarrington Hill. Others show the bridleway ending east of Quarrington Farm. The County Durham definitive map, (January 2022), now shows the lower, southern road to be the route of the bridleway and that must be considered to be the actual current situation. The explanation is that the upper, northern road is now in use by Tarmac as a quarry access road and is a private way. Part of Tarmac's Quarrington Quarry can be seen in the image.

Trevor Littlewood

Bridleway heading towards Quarrington Hill

The bridleway, presumably an old industrial / mining route, connects Old Quarrington with Quarrington Hill. The route is in use a s a bridleway which has replaced another bridleway route running above to the left. That is now a private road used for quarry access by the Tarmac company. OS mapping has not, (January 2022), caught up with the changed route situation; an explanation is given here: Link .

Trevor Littlewood

Industrial ruin in Crow Trees Nature Reserve

This might be the remains of an engine house mentioned in the County Durham leaflet about the Crow Trees Reserve but it's made largely from coarse concrete and the document talks of, "using stonework". Whatever the case, it's clearly an old industrial feature, presumably from coal mining or earlier quarrying operations. Quarrying still goes on nearby; distantly, to the right of the ruin, there's an active quarry in view.

Trevor Littlewood

Traffic calming measures at Quarrington Hill

The B6291 approaching Quarrington Hill from the south-west where there's a chicane and a priority arrangement for traffic entering and leaving the village.

Trevor Littlewood

Mast On Beacon Hill

David Robinson

Ponds at Crowtrees Local Nature Reserve

On the site of a former colliery, closed late 19th century, that supplied coal to local iron works at Cornforth.

David Robinson

East Hetton Colliery Land Reclamation, Co. Durham

A construction progress photograph taken of the land reclamation works during November 1990. Shale is being transported and deposited by articulated dump truck and spread by dozer during fill operations to remodel the contours of the former pit heap at East Hetton Colliery. An excavator can be seen on the top of the pit heap excavating and loading shale into the dump trucks. NZ3436 : East Hetton Colliery Land Reclamation, Co. Durham NZ3536 : East Hetton Colliery Land Reclamation, Co. Durham

Philip Soakell

Snow covered footpath at Crowtrees nature Reserve

David Robinson

Snow shower at Crowtrees ponds

David Robinson

Quarrington Hill from Little Wood nature reserve

Former mining/pit workings turned into woodland and nature reserves.

Peter Bainbridge

Hawthorn hedge with berries

A mass of red berries meant there was plenty of bird life including Fieldfares, Redwing, Chaffinch and Bull finches.

Peter Bainbridge

Concrete lined drain

A concrete lined drain which possibly harks back to the area's industrial past.

Peter Bainbridge

Public footpath south of Cassop

The public footpath running south from Cassop toward Kelloe Hall. Just visible in the background is a wind turbine situated on Southern Law wind farm.

Peter Bainbridge

Combined footpath and cyclewyay at Cassop

Peter Bainbridge

Disused Quarry At Running Waters

David Robinson

Hedge bounding north side of field

The field lies to the east of the Three Horseshoes hotel; on the other side of the hedge is the A181. The name Running Waters appears on OS maps; there's no other building in the area and it's assumed that the name refers to the location and is not an earlier name of the hotel. Durham County Council has a 'weather station camera' there, updated every 10 minutes.

Trevor Littlewood

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Cassop Vale is located at Grid Ref: NZ3338 (Lat: 54.742614, Lng: -1.4832935)

Unitary Authority: County Durham

Police Authority: Durham